5,740 research outputs found
MOCVD-Fabricated TiO2 Thin Films: Influence of Growth Conditions on Fibroblast Cells Culture
TiO2 thin films with various morphologies were grown on Ti substrates by the LP-MOCVD technique (Low Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition from Metal-Organic precursor), with titanium tetra-iso-propoxide as a precursor. All the films were prepared in the same conditions except the deposition time. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, optical 15 interferometry, water contact angle measurements. MOCVD-fabricated TiO2 thin films are known to be adapted to cell culture for implant requirements. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured on the various TiO2 deposits. Differences in cell viability (MTT tests) and cell spreading (qualitative assessment) were observed and related to film roughness, wettability and allotropic composition
Precursor films in wetting phenomena
The spontaneous spreading of non-volatile liquid droplets on solid substrates
poses a classic problem in the context of wetting phenomena. It is well known
that the spreading of a macroscopic droplet is in many cases accompanied by a
thin film of macroscopic lateral extent, the so-called precursor film, which
emanates from the three-phase contact line region and spreads ahead of the
latter with a much higher speed. Such films have been usually associated with
liquid-on-solid systems, but in the last decade similar films have been
reported to occur in solid-on-solid systems. While the situations in which the
thickness of such films is of mesoscopic size are rather well understood, an
intriguing and yet to be fully understood aspect is the spreading of
microscopic, i.e., molecularly thin films. Here we review the available
experimental observations of such films in various liquid-on-solid and
solid-on-solid systems, as well as the corresponding theoretical models and
studies aimed at understanding their formation and spreading dynamics. Recent
developments and perspectives for future research are discussed.Comment: 51 pages, 10 figures; small typos correcte
Scalar and tensorial topological matter coupled to (2+1)-dimensional gravity:A.Classical theory and global charges
We consider the coupling of scalar topological matter to (2+1)-dimensional
gravity. The matter fields consist of a 0-form scalar field and a 2-form tensor
field. We carry out a canonical analysis of the classical theory, investigating
its sectors and solutions. We show that the model admits both BTZ-like
black-hole solutions and homogeneous/inhomogeneous FRW cosmological
solutions.We also investigate the global charges associated with the model and
show that the algebra of charges is the extension of the Kac-Moody algebra for
the field-rigid gauge charges, and the Virasoro algebrafor the diffeomorphism
charges. Finally, we show that the model can be written as a generalized
Chern-Simons theory, opening the perspective for its formulation as a
generalized higher gauge theory.Comment: 40 page
Spectral properties of the largest asteroids associated with Taurid Complex
We obtained spectra of six of the largest asteroids (2201, 4183, 4486, 5143,
6063, and 269690) associated with Taurid complex. The observations were made
with the IRTF telescope equipped with the spectro-imager SpeX. Their taxonomic
classification is made using Bus-DeMeo taxonomy. The asteroid spectra are
compared with the meteorite spectra from the Relab database. Mineralogical
models were applied to determine their surface composition. All the spectral
analysis is made in the context of the already published physical data.
Five of the objects studied in this paper present spectral characteristics
similar to the S taxonomic complex. The spectra of ordinary chondrites
(spanning H, L, and LL subtypes) are the best matches for these asteroid
spectra. {\bf The asteroid} (269690) 1996 RG3 presents a flat featureless
spectrum which could be associated to a primitive C-type object. The increased
reflectance above 2.1 microns constrains its geometrical albedo to a value
around 0.03.
While there is an important dynamical grouping among the Taurid Complex
asteroids, the spectral data of the largest objects do not support a common
cometary origin. Furthermore, there are significant variations between the
spectra acquired until now.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
Value chain analysis in quality management context
Based on the description of value chain analysis, which is a strategic management tool attributed to Michel Porter, the paper aims to demonstrate that quality management applies this method, under specific forms. The paper's specific objectives are: to redefine the functions of value chain analysis in the context of quality management; to clarify the significance and the possibilities of measuring the value added; to present management tools and techniques needed to control and systematically improve performance. Research methodology is based on examples, previous studies and a case study that reveals the diversity of indicators for measuring the value added and analysis tools used in quality management
Implications of Teleportation for Nonlocality
Adopting an approach similar to that of Zukowski [Phys. Rev. A 62, 032101
(2000)], we investigate connections between teleportation and nonlocality. We
derive a Bell-type inequality pertaining to the teleportation scenario and show
that it is violated in the case of teleportation using a perfect singlet. We
also investigate teleportation using `Werner states' of the form x P + (1-x)
I/4, where P is the projector corresponding to a singlet state and I is the
identity. We find that our inequality is violated, implying nonlocality, if x >
1/sqrt(2). In addition, we extend Werner's local hidden variable model to
simulation of teleportation with the x = 1/2 Werner state. Thus teleportation
using this state does not involve nonlocality even though the fidelity achieved
is 3/4 which is greater than the `classical limit' of 2/3. Finally, we comment
on a result of Gisin's and offer some philosophical remarks on teleportation
and nonlocality generally.Comment: 10 pages, no figures. Title changed to accord with Phys. Rev. A
version. A note and an extra reference have been added. Journal reference
adde
Embedded finite-element solver for computation of brushless permanent-magnet motors
This paper describes the theory underlying the formulation of a “minimum set” of finite-element solutions to be used in the design and analysis of saturated brushless permanent-magnet motors. The choice of finite-element solutions is described in terms of key points on the flux–MMF diagram. When the diagram has a regular shape, a huge reduction in finite-element analysis is possible with no loss of accuracy. If the loop is irregular, many more solutions are needed. This paper describes an efficient technique in which a finite-element solver is associated with a classical – -axis circuit model in such a way that the number of finite-element solutions in one electrical half-cycle can be varied between 1 and 360. The finite-element process is used to determine not only the average torque but also the saturated inductances as the rotor rotates
Entanglement of pure states for a single copy
An optimal local conversion strategy between any two pure states of a
bipartite system is presented. It is optimal in that the probability of success
is the largest achievable if the parties which share the system, and which can
communicate classically, are only allowed to act locally on it. The study of
optimal local conversions sheds some light on the entanglement of a single copy
of a pure state. We propose a quantification of such an entanglement by means
of a finite minimal set of new measures from which the optimal probability of
conversion follows.Comment: Revtex, 4 pages, no figures. Minor changes. Appendix remove
Nonsequential positive-operator-valued measurements on entangled mixed states do not always violate a Bell inequality
We present a local-hidden-variable model for positive-operator-valued
measurements (an LHVPOV model) on a class of entangled generalized Werner
states, thus demonstrating that such measurements do not always violate a
Bell-type inequality. We also show that, in general, if the state can
be obtained from with certainty by local quantum operations without
classical communication then an LHVPOV model for the state implies the
existence of such a model for .Comment: 4 pages, no figures. Title changed to accord with Phys. Rev. A
version. Journal reference adde
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