Anisotropically Shaped Magnetic/Plasmonic Nanocomposites for Information Encryption and Magnetic-Field-Direction Sensing.

Instantaneous control over the orientation of anisotropically shaped plasmonic nanostructures allows for selective excitation of plasmon modes and enables dynamic tuning of the plasmonic properties. Herein we report the synthesis of rod-shaped magnetic/plasmonic core-shell nanocomposite particles and demonstrate the active tuning of their optical property by manipulating their orientation using an external magnetic field. We further design and construct an IR-photoelectric coupling system, which generates an output voltage depending on the extinction property of the measured nanocomposite sample. We employ the device to demonstrate that the nanocomposite particles can serve as units for information encryption when immobilized in a polymer film and additionally when dispersed in solution can be employed as a new type of magnetic-field-direction sensor

Maximum Distance Separable Codes for Symbol-Pair Read Channels

We study (symbol-pair) codes for symbol-pair read channels introduced recently by Cassuto and Blaum (2010). A Singleton-type bound on symbol-pair codes is established and infinite families of optimal symbol-pair codes are constructed. These codes are maximum distance separable (MDS) in the sense that they meet the Singleton-type bound. In contrast to classical codes, where all known q-ary MDS codes have length O(q), we show that q-ary MDS symbol-pair codes can have length \Omega(q^2). In addition, we completely determine the existence of MDS symbol-pair codes for certain parameters

Gate defined quantum dot realized in a single crystalline InSb nanosheet

Single crystalline InSb nanosheet is an emerging planar semiconductor material with potential applications in electronics, infrared optoelectronics, spintronics and topological quantum computing. Here we report on realization of a quantum dot device from a single crystalline InSb nanosheet grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. The device is fabricated from the nanosheet on a Si/SiO2 substrate and the quantum dot confinement is achieved by top gate technique. Transport measurements show a series of Coulomb diamonds, demonstrating that the quantum dot is well defined and highly tunable. Tunable, gate-defined, planar InSb quantum dots offer a renewed platform for developing semiconductor-based quantum computation technology.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Anisotropic Pauli spin-blockade effect and spin-orbit interaction field in an InAs nanowire double quantum dot

We report on experimental detection of the spin-orbit interaction field in an InAs nanowire double quantum dot device. In the spin blockade regime, leakage current through the double quantum dot is measured and is used to extract the effects of spin-orbit interaction and hyperfine interaction on spin state mixing. At finite magnetic fields, the leakage current arising from the hyperfine interaction is suppressed and the spin-orbit interaction dominates spin state mixing. We observe dependence of the leakage current on the applied magnetic field direction and determine the direction of the spin-orbit interaction field. We show that the spin-orbit field lies in a direction perpendicular to the nanowire axis but with a pronounced off-substrate-plane angle. It is for the first time that such an off-substrate-plane spin-orbit field in an InAs nanowire has been detected. The results are expected to have an important implication in employing InAs nanowires to construct spin-orbit qubits and topological quantum devices.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, Supporting Informatio

Identifying Intraspecific Variation in Venom Yield of Chinese Cobra (Naja atra) from Ten Populations in Mainland China

Detailed information on venom yield is helpful in preparing antivenoms and treating snakebites, but such information is lacking for many species of venomous snakes. The Chinese cobra (Naja atra) is a large sized, venomous snake commonly found in southeastern China, where it causes a heavy burden of snakebites. To examine the effects of various factors (morphology, sex, age, season, and geographical origin) on the venom yield in this snake, we collected venom samples of 446 individuals (426 adults and 20 neonates) from 10 populations of N. atra over an eight-year period. We used two variables, lyophilized venom mass (venom yield) and solid content of venom (% solids), to quantify the venom yield. We used linear regression analysis to check if venom yield was related to morphological factors, one-way ANOVA and one-way ANCOVA to detect the sexual, ontogenetic, and geographic variation in venom yield, and repeated-measures ANOVA to examine seasonal shifts in venom yield. Our results indicate that venom yield of N. atra is positively related to the morphological traits examined, with male snakes expelling more venom than females. Venom yield in N. atra was age-related, with elder snakes always expelling more venom than younger ones. Geographic variation in venom yield was also observed, while seasonal variation was not. The solid content of venom was lower in males than in females, but this was not related to morphology, season, age, or geography. Our findings suggest that venom yield in N. atra is influenced by multiple factors, as well as by the interactions among these factors

Single machine scheduling with exponential time-dependent learning effect and past-sequence-dependent setup times

AbstractIn this paper we consider the single machine scheduling problem with exponential time-dependent learning effect and past-sequence-dependent (p-s-d) setup times. By the exponential time-dependent learning effect, we mean that the processing time of a job is defined by an exponent function of the total normal processing time of the already processed jobs. The setup times are proportional to the length of the already processed jobs. We consider the following objective functions: the makespan, the total completion time, the sum of the quadratic job completion times, the total weighted completion time and the maximum lateness. We show that the makespan minimization problem, the total completion time minimization problem and the sum of the quadratic job completion times minimization problem can be solved by the smallest (normal) processing time first (SPT) rule, respectively. We also show that the total weighted completion time minimization problem and the maximum lateness minimization problem can be solved in polynomial time under certain conditions

Total flavonoids from Ganshanbian (Herba Hyperici Attenuati) effect the expression of CaL-α1C and KATP-Kir6.1 mRNA of the myocardial cell membrane in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion arrhythmia rats

AbstractObjectiveTo observe the impact of total flavonoids from Ganshanbian (Herba Hyperici Attenuati) on the expression of vascular smooth muscle membrane L-type calcium channel alpha1 C subunit (CaL-α1C) and ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP)-Kir6.1 mRNA, and explore the mechanisms of the antiarrhythmic effect of Ganshanbian (Herba Hyperici Attenuati) total flavonoids.MethodsThe treatment group was fed total flavonoids from Ganshanbian (Herba Hyperici Attenuati) for 7 days by gavage with 100 mg · kg−1 · d−1. The blank control group and model control group were given the same amount of normal saline for 7 d. Arrhythmias were induced by performing a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and electrocardiogram was observed. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of CaL-α 1Cand KATP-Kir6.1 mRNA in the myocardial cell membrane of all groups of rats.ResultsTotal flavonoids from Ganshanbian (Herba Hyperici Attenuati) can delay the appearance of myocardial ischemia reperfusion arrhythmias, shorten the duration of myocardial ischemia reperfusion arrhythmias, reduce heart rate, reduce cell membrane expression of CaL-α1C mRNA and enhance the expression of KATP-Kir6.1 mRNA in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion arrhythmic rats.ConclusionTotal flavonoids from Ganshanbian (Herba Hyperici Attenuati) can alleviate arrhythmias by affecting the expression of L-type calcium channels and ATP-sensitive K+ channels