82 research outputs found
Decay of isolated surface features driven by the Gibbs-Thomson effect in analytic model and simulation
A theory based on the thermodynamic Gibbs-Thomson relation is presented which
provides the framework for understanding the time evolution of isolated
nanoscale features (i.e., islands and pits) on surfaces. Two limiting cases are
predicted, in which either diffusion or interface transfer is the limiting
process. These cases correspond to similar regimes considered in previous works
addressing the Ostwald ripening of ensembles of features. A third possible
limiting case is noted for the special geometry of "stacked" islands. In these
limiting cases, isolated features are predicted to decay in size with a power
law scaling in time: A is proportional to (t0-t)^n, where A is the area of the
feature, t0 is the time at which the feature disappears, and n=2/3 or 1. The
constant of proportionality is related to parameters describing both the
kinetic and equilibrium properties of the surface. A continuous time Monte
Carlo simulation is used to test the application of this theory to generic
surfaces with atomic scale features. A new method is described to obtain
macroscopic kinetic parameters describing interfaces in such simulations.
Simulation and analytic theory are compared directly, using measurements of the
simulation to determine the constants of the analytic theory. Agreement between
the two is very good over a range of surface parameters, suggesting that the
analytic theory properly captures the necessary physics. It is anticipated that
the simulation will be useful in modeling complex surface geometries often seen
in experiments on physical surfaces, for which application of the analytic
model is not straightforward.Comment: RevTeX (with .bbl file), 25 pages, 7 figures from 9 Postscript files
embedded using epsf. Submitted to Phys. Rev. B A few minor changes made on
9/24/9
Correlating the nanostructure and electronic properties of InAs nanowires
The electronic properties and nanostructure of InAs nanowires are correlated
by creating multiple field effect transistors (FETs) on nanowires grown to have
low and high defect density segments. 4.2 K carrier mobilities are ~4X larger
in the nominally defect-free segments of the wire. We also find that dark field
optical intensity is correlated with the mobility, suggesting a simple route
for selecting wires with a low defect density. At low temperatures, FETs
fabricated on high defect density segments of InAs nanowires showed transport
properties consistent with single electron charging, even on devices with low
resistance ohmic contacts. The charging energies obtained suggest quantum dot
formation at defects in the wires. These results reinforce the importance of
controlling the defect density in order to produce high quality electrical and
optical devices using InAs nanowires.Comment: Related papers at http://pettagroup.princeton.ed
Effects of boundary conditions on magnetization switching in kinetic Ising models of nanoscale ferromagnets
Magnetization switching in highly anisotropic single-domain ferromagnets has
been previously shown to be qualitatively described by the droplet theory of
metastable decay and simulations of two-dimensional kinetic Ising systems with
periodic boundary conditions. In this article we consider the effects of
boundary conditions on the switching phenomena. A rich range of behaviors is
predicted by droplet theory: the specific mechanism by which switching occurs
depends on the structure of the boundary, the particle size, the temperature,
and the strength of the applied field. The theory predicts the existence of a
peak in the switching field as a function of system size in both systems with
periodic boundary conditions and in systems with boundaries. The size of the
peak is strongly dependent on the boundary effects. It is generally reduced by
open boundary conditions, and in some cases it disappears if the boundaries are
too favorable towards nucleation. However, we also demonstrate conditions under
which the peak remains discernible. This peak arises as a purely dynamic effect
and is not related to the possible existence of multiple domains. We illustrate
the predictions of droplet theory by Monte Carlo simulations of two-dimensional
Ising systems with various system shapes and boundary conditions.Comment: RevTex, 48 pages, 13 figure
Enhancing the capabilities of LIGO time-frequency plane searches through clustering
One class of gravitational wave signals LIGO is searching for consists of
short duration bursts of unknown waveforms. Potential sources include core
collapse supernovae, gamma ray burst progenitors, and mergers of binary black
holes or neutron stars. We present a density-based clustering algorithm to
improve the performance of time-frequency searches for such gravitational-wave
bursts when they are extended in time and/or frequency, and not sufficiently
well known to permit matched filtering. We have implemented this algorithm as
an extension to the QPipeline, a gravitational-wave data analysis pipeline for
the detection of bursts, which currently determines the statistical
significance of events based solely on the peak significance observed in
minimum uncertainty regions of the time-frequency plane. Density based
clustering improves the performance of such a search by considering the
aggregate significance of arbitrarily shaped regions in the time-frequency
plane and rejecting the isolated minimum uncertainty features expected from the
background detector noise. In this paper, we present test results for simulated
signals and demonstrate that density based clustering improves the performance
of the QPipeline for signals extended in time and/or frequency.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures. Submitted to CQG on Dec 12, 2008; accepted on
June 18, 200
The effects of material formulation and manufacturing process on mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy/clay nanocomposites
A holistic study was conducted to investigate the combined effect of three different pre-mixing processes, namely mechanical mixing, ultrasonication and centrifugation, on mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy/clay nanocomposites reinforced with different platelet-like montmorillonite (MMT) clays (Cloisite Na+, Cloisite 10A, Cloisite 15 or Cloisite 93A) at clay contents of 3â10 wt%. Furthermore, the effect of combined pre-mixing processes and material formulation on clay dispersion and corresponding material properties of resulting composites was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), flexural and Charpy impact tests, Rockwell hardness tests and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A high level of clay agglomeration and partially intercalated/exfoliated clay structures were observed regardless of clay type and content. Epoxy/clay nanocomposites demonstrate an overall noticeable improvement of up to 10 % in the glass transition temperature (Tg) compared to that of neat epoxy, which is interpreted by the inclusion of MMT clays acting as rigid fillers to restrict the chain mobility of epoxy matrices. The impact strength of epoxy/clay nanocomposites was also found to increase by up to 24 % with the addition of 3 wt% Cloisite Na+ clays. However, their flexural strength and hardness diminished when compared to those of neat epoxy, arising from several effects including clay agglomeration, widely distributed microvoids and microcracks as well as weak interfacial bonding between clay particles and epoxy matrices, as confirmed from TEM and SEM results. Overall, it is suggested that an improved technique should be used for the combination of pre-mixing processes in order to achieve the optimal manufacturing condition of uniform clay dispersion and minimal void contents
Association between maternal nutritional status in pregnancy and offspring cognitive function in childhood and adolescence; a systematic review
Background
The mother is the only source of nutrition for fetal growth including brain development. Maternal nutritional status (anthropometry, macro- and micro-nutrients) before and/or during pregnancy is therefore a potential predictor of offspring cognitive function. The relationship of maternal nutrition to offspring cognitive function is unclear. This review aims to assess existing evidence linking maternal nutritional status with offspring cognitive function.
Methods
Exposures considered were maternal BMI, height and weight, micronutrient status (vitamins D, B12, folate and iron) and macronutrient intakes (carbohydrate, protein and fat). The outcome was any measure of cognitive function in children aged <18 years. We considered observational studies and trials with allocation groups that differed by single nutrients. We searched Medline/PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases and reference lists of retrieved literature. Two reviewers independently extracted data from relevant articles. We used methods recommended by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.
Results
Of 16,143 articles identified, 38 met inclusion criteria. Most studies were observational, and from high-income settings. There were few randomized controlled trials. There was consistent evidence linking maternal obesity with lower cognitive function in children; low maternal BMI has been inadequately studied. Among three studies of maternal vitamin D status, two showed lower cognitive function in children of deficient mothers. One trial of folic acid supplementation showed no effects on the childrenâs cognitive function and evidence from 13 observational studies was mixed. Among seven studies of maternal vitamin B12 status, most showed no association, though two studies in highly deficient populations suggested a possible effect. Four out of six observational studies and two trials (including one in an Iron deficient population) found no association of maternal iron status with offspring cognitive function. One trial of maternal carbohydrate/protein supplementation showed no effects on offspring cognitive function.
Conclusions
Current evidence that maternal nutritional status during pregnancy as defined by BMI, single micronutrient studies, or macronutrient intakes influences offspring cognitive function is inconclusive. There is a need for more trials especially in populations with high rates of maternal undernutrition.
Systematic review registration
Registered in PROSPERO CRD42013005702
Genu valgum and osteoporosis in an area of endemic fluorosis
Twenty-four male patients with genuvalgum deformity drawn from an area of endemic fluorosis in Andhra Pradesh, India, were investigated clinically, radiologically, and biochemically. All had evidence of spinal osteosclerosis along with extensive osteoporotic changes in the bones of the extremities. Levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline-phosphatase activity were normal. It is concluded that deficiency of several nutrients may modify and aggravate the toxic effects of chronic fluoride intoxication. Hormones may play a part in the causation of the syndrome
Aetiopathogenesis of endemic ascites in Surguja district of Madhya Pradesh
An outbreak of a disease characterised by rapidly developing ascites and resulting in high mortality was investigated in a few villages of Surguja district of Madhya Pradesh. Histopathological studies revealed that the main findings were centrilobular hepatic necrosis and occlusion of the lobular and sublobular veins. Epidemiological studies suggested its endemic character and its strong association with a food toxin. The staple milletâPanicum miliare, was found to be contaminated with seeds of Crotalaria species. Chemical analysis of the contaminating weed seeds showed the presence of hepatotoxic alkaloids of the monocrotaline type. On the basis of available evidence, it appears that the ingestion of the contaminating weed of Crotalaria species is causally related to the outbreak of the disease. Some suitable methods of control at the agricultural and household levels have been suggeste
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