Optical properties of wurtzite GaN/AlN quantum dots grown on non-polar planes: the effect of stacking faults in the reduction of the internal electric field

The optical emission of non-polar GaN/AlN quantum dots has been investigated. The presence of stacking faults inside these quantum dots is evidenced in the dependence of the photoluminescence with temperature and excitation power. A theoretical model for the electronic structure and optical properties of non-polar quantum dots, taking into account their realistic shapes, is presented which predicts a substantial reduction of the internal electric field but a persisting quantum confined Stark effect, comparable to that of polar GaN/AlN quantum dots. Modeling the effect of a 3 monolayer stacking fault inside the quantum dot, which acts as zinc-blende inclusion into the wurtzite matrix, results in an additional 30% reduction of the internal electric field and gives a better account of the observed optical features

Neural networks in petroleum geology as interpretation tools

Abstract Three examples of the use of neural networks in analyses of geologic data from hydrocarbon reservoirs are presented. All networks are trained with data originating from clastic reservoirs of Neogene age located in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin. Training always included similar reservoir variables, i.e. electric logs (resistivity, spontaneous potential) and lithology determined from cores or logs and described as sandstone or marl, with categorical values in intervals. Selected variables also include hydrocarbon saturation, also represented by a categorical variable, average reservoir porosity calculated from interpreted well logs, and seismic attributes. In all three neural models some of the mentioned inputs were used for analyzing data collected from three different oil fields in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin. It is shown that selection of geologically and physically linked variables play a key role in the process of network training, validating and processing. The aim of this study was to establish relationships between log-derived data, core data, and seismic attributes. Three case studies are described in this paper to illustrate the use of neural network prediction of sandstone-marl facies (Case Study # 1, Okoli Field), prediction of carbonate breccia porosity (Case Study # 2, Beničanci Field), and prediction of lithology and saturation (Case Study # 3, Kloštar Field). The results of these studies indicate that this method is capable of providing better understanding of some clastic Neogene reservoirs in the Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin

Highly unsaturated fatty acid synthesis in marine fish: Cloning, functional characterization, and nutritional regulation of fatty acyl delta6 desaturase of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Fish contain high levels of the n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids that are crucial to the health of higher vertebrates. Biosynthesis of HUFA requires enzyme-mediated desaturation of fatty acids. Here we report cloning and functional characterisation of a ∆6 fatty acyl desaturase of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), and describe its tissue expression and nutritional regulation. PCR primers were designed based on the sequences of conserved motifs in available fish desaturases and used to isolate a cDNA fragment from liver of cod. The full-length cDNA was obtained by Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE). The cDNA for the putative fatty acyl desaturase was shown to comprise 1980bp which included a 5’-UTR of 261bp and a 3’-UTR of 375bp. Sequencing revealed that the cDNA included an ORF of 1344 bp that specified a protein of 447 amino acids. The protein sequence included three histidine boxes, two transmembrane regions, and an N-terminal cytochrome b5 domain containing the haem-binding motif HPGG, all of which are characteristic of microsomal fatty acid desaturases. The cDNA displayed Δ6 desaturase activity in a heterologous yeast expression system. Quantitative real time PCR assay of gene expression in cod showed that the ∆6 desaturase gene, was highly expressed in brain, relatively highly expressed in liver, kidney, intestine, red muscle and gill, and expressed at much lower levels in white muscle, spleen and heart. In contrast, the abundance of a cod fatty acyl elongase transcript was high in brain and gill, with intermediate levels in kidney, spleen, intestine and heart, and relatively low expression in liver. The expression of the Δ6 desaturase gene and the PUFA elongase gene may be under a degree of nutritional regulation, with levels being marginally increased in livers and intestine of fish fed a vegetable oil blend by comparison with levels in fish fed fish oil. However, this was not reflected in increased Δ6 desaturase activity in hepatocytes or enterocytes, which showed very little highly unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis activity irrespective of diet. The study described has demonstrated that Atlantic cod express a fatty acid desaturase gene with functional Δ6 activity in a yeast expression system. This is consistent with an established hypothesis that the poor ability of marine fish to synthesise HUFA is not due to lack of a Δ6 desaturase, but rather to deficiencies in other parts of the biosynthetic pathway. However, further studies are required to determine why the Δ6 desaturase appears to be barely functional in cod under the conditions tested

Quantum Measurement of a Coupled Nanomechanical Resonator -- Cooper-Pair Box System

We show two effects as a result of considering the second-order correction to the spectrum of a nanomechanical resonator electrostatically coupled to a Cooper-pair box. The spectrum of the Cooper-pair box is modified in a way which depends on the Fock state of the resonator. Similarly, the frequency of the resonator becomes dependent on the state of the Cooper-pair box. We consider whether these frequency shifts could be utilized to prepare the nanomechanical resonator in a Fock state, to perform a quantum non-demolition measurement of the resonator Fock state, and to distinguish the phase states of the Cooper-pair box

Using a smartphone acceleration sensor to study uniform and uniformly accelerated circular motions

The acceleration sensor of a smartphone is used for the study of the uniform and uniformly accelerated circular motions in two experiments. Data collected from both experiments are used for obtaining the angular velocity and the angular acceleration, respectively. Results obtained with the acceleration sensor are shown to be in good agreement with alternative methods, like using video recordings of both experiments and a physical model of the second experiment.Castro-Palacio, JC.; Velazquez, L.; Gómez-Tejedor, JA.; Manjón Herrera, FJ.; Monsoriu Serra, JA. (2014). Using a smartphone acceleration sensor to study uniform and uniformly accelerated circular motions. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica. 36(2):2315-2315. doi:10.1590/S1806-11172014000200015S2315231536