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At least 1,729 records · Page 96

Imaging trace element distributions in single organelles and subcellular features

The distributions of chemical elements within cells are of prime importance in a wide range of basic and applied biochemical research. An example is the role of the subcellular Zn distribution in Zn homeostasis in insulin producing pancreatic beta cells and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We combined transmission electron microscopy with micro- and nano-synchrotron X-ray fluorescence to image unequivocally for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the natural elemental distributions, including those of trace elements, in single organelles and other subcellular features. Detected elements include Cl, K, Ca, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd (which some cells were supplemented with). Cell samples were prepared by a technique that minimally affects the natural elemental concentrations and distributions, and without using fluorescent indicators.We find it could likely be applied to all cell types and provide new biochemical insights at the single organelle level not available from organelle population level studies.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A group finder algorithm optimised for the study of local galaxy environments

Context. The majority of galaxy group catalogues available in the literature use the popular friends-of-friends algorithm which links galaxies using a linking length. One potential drawback to this approach is that clusters of points can be linked with thin bridges which may not be desirable. In order to study galaxy groups, it is important to obtain realistic group structures. Aim. Here, in this study, we present a new simple group finder algorithm, TD-ENCLOSER, that finds the group that encloses a target galaxy of interest. Methods. TD-ENCLOSER is based on the kernel density estimation method which treats each galaxy, represented by a zero-dimensional particle, as a two-dimensional circular Gaussian. The algorithm assigns galaxies to peaks in the density field in order of density in descending order (‘top down’) so that galaxy groups ‘grow’ around the density peaks. Outliers in under-dense regions are prevented from joining groups by a specified hard threshold, while outliers at the group edges are clipped below a soft (blurred) interior density level. Results. The group assignments are largely insensitive to all free parameter variations apart from the hard density threshold and the kernel standard deviation, although this is a known feature of density-based group finder algorithms and it operates with a computing speed that increases linearly with the size of the input sample. In preparation for a companion paper, we also present a simple algorithm to select unique representative groups when duplicates occur. Conclusions. TD-ENCLOSER is tested on a mock galaxy catalogue using a smoothing scale of 0.3 Mpc and is found to be able to recover the input group distribution with sufficient accuracy to be applied to observed galaxy distributions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Analysis of surface integrity of grinded gears using Barkhausen noise analysis and x-ray diffraction

The contribution is focused to present results of study grinded gears made of 18CrNiMo7-6 steel used in the wind power plant for support (service) purposes. These gears were case-hardened due to standard hard case and soft core formation. This heat treatment increases wear resistance and fatigue strength of machine parts. During serial production some troubles with surface integrity have occurred. When solving complex problems lots of samples were prepared. For grinding of gears were used different parameters of cutting speed, number of material removal and lots from different subsuppliers. Material characterization was carried out using Barkhausen noise analysis (BNA) device; X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement of surface residual stresses was done as well. Depth profile of measured characteristics, e.g. magnetoelastic parameter and residual stress was obtained by step by step layers' removing using electrolytic etching. BNA software Viewscan was used to measure magnetizing frequency sweep (MFS) and magnetizing voltage sweep (MVS). Scanning of Magnetoelastic parameter (MP) endwise individual teeth were also carried out with Viewscan. These measurements were done to find problematic surface areas after grinding such as thermal damaged locations. Plots of the hardness and thickness of case-hardened layer on cross sections were measurered as well. Evaluation of structure of subsurface case-hardened layer and core was made on etched metallographic patterns. The aim of performed measurements was to find correlation between conditions of grinding, residual stresses and structural and magnetoelastic parameters. Based on correlation of measured values and technological parameters optimizing the production of gears will be done.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Optical and magneto-optical properties of Co-doped CeO{sub 2−δ} films in the 0.5 to 4 eV range

Magnetically doped Ce{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}O{sub 2−δ} (nominal x = 0.05 and 0.10) films were systematically studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry and magneto-optical spectroscopy. The samples were prepared by pulsed laser deposition on MgO(100) substrates and grew as textured polycrystalline films with thickness between 200 and 750 nm. They exhibited room temperature ferromagnetism and an out-of-plane easy axis attributed to magnetoelastic effects from the in-plane compressive strain. The dispersion of dielectric function of Ce{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}O{sub 2−δ} films was parametrized by the sum of Tauc-Lorentz and damped Lorentz oscillators and adjusted numerically. Deduced optical band gaps were similar to those of pure CeO{sub 2}, but the Co doping increased the optical absorption. The magneto-optical spectroscopy was carried out in both Faraday and Kerr configurations in the photon energy range from 0.5 to 4 eV, showing a strong dependence of the magneto-optical effect on the Co content near the optical band edge.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Time-, frequency-, and wavevector-resolved x-ray diffraction from single molecules

Using a quantum electrodynamic framework, we calculate the off-resonant scattering of a broadband X-ray pulse from a sample initially prepared in an arbitrary superposition of electronic states. The signal consists of single-particle (incoherent) and two-particle (coherent) contributions that carry different particle form factors that involve different material transitions. Single-molecule experiments involving incoherent scattering are more influenced by inelastic processes compared to bulk measurements. The conditions under which the technique directly measures charge densities (and can be considered as diffraction) as opposed to correlation functions of the charge-density are specified. The results are illustrated with time- and wavevector-resolved signals from a single amino acid molecule (cysteine) following an impulsive excitation by a stimulated X-ray Raman process resonant with the sulfur K-edge. Our theory and simulations can guide future experimental studies on the structures of nano-particles and proteins.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Giant persistent photoconductivity in BaTiO{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} heterostructures

The persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect in nanotube arrays of barium titanate and TiO{sub 2} (BTO/TiO{sub 2}NT) was studied at room temperature under daylight illumination. The BTO/TiO{sub 2}NT heterostructures exhibited a giant PPC effect that was six orders of magnitude higher than the dark conductivity, followed by a slow relaxation for 3 h. The PPC in this material was explained by the existence of defects at the surfaces and the interfaces of the investigated heterostructures. The sample was prepared using a two-step synthesis: the anodization of a Ti-foil and a subsequent hydrothermal synthesis. The structural and electrical characteristics were studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy, field-emission-gun scanning electron microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The structural-phase state of iron-carbon coatings formed by the ultradispersed particles

The methods of nuclear gamma-resonance spectroscopy, elemental microanalysis, and X-ray diffraction were used to study nanoscale coatings. The samples were prepared by magnetron sputtering of carbon and iron particles. They alternately were deposited on monocrystalline silicon or polycrystalline corundum substrate moving relative to the plasma flows in the form of sublayers with a thickness of less than 0.6 nm up to the total thickness of 150-500 nm. Solid solutions with the carbon concentrations of up to 7.5, 12.0, 17.6, and 23.9 at% were produced by co-precipitation of ultradispersed particles of iron and carbon. Using method of conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, we detected the anisotropy of orientation of magnetic moments of iron atoms due to texturing of the formed coatings. The deviation of the crystallite orientation from the average value depends on the degree of carbonization. At 550°C, the pearlite eutectic α‐Fe(C)+Fe{sub 3}C is formed from the amorphous structure without formation of intermediate carbides. The relative content of cementite correlates with the amount of carbon in the coating. The formation of the solid solutions-alloys directly during the deposition process confirms the theory of thermal-fluctuation melting of small particles.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Correlation of infrared spectra and phase transitions in annealed proton-exchanged MgO doped LiNbO{sub 3}

Infrared spectra of OH{sup −} groups in annealed proton-exchanged (APE) 5 mol. % MgO-doped LiNbO{sub 3} (MgO:LiNbO{sub 3}) crystals were studied using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique. Samples were prepared by benzoic acid proton-exchange followed with thermal annealing in oxygen. Evolutions of absorption peaks in APE MgO:LiNbO{sub 3} crystals were recorded and analyzed. Comparing with none-doped APE LiNbO{sub 3} crystals, a different phase transition behavior was found during thermal annealing. A periodically poled MgO:LiNbO{sub 3} slab waveguide was prepared using identical procedures, and the second harmonic generation (SHG) signals were measured. Comparing the obtained SHG results with the infrared spectra, relationships between the phase transitions and the recovery of second-order nonlinear coefficients during thermal annealing were investigated. Finally, a method for optimizing the performance of MgO:LiNbO{sub 3} waveguides was proposed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Local geometric and electronic structures and origin of magnetism in Co-doped BaTiO{sub 3} multiferroics

We have prepared polycrystalline samples BaTi{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}O{sub 3} (x = 0–0.1) by solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction and Raman-scattering studies reveal the phase separation in crystal structure as changing Co-doping content (x). The samples with x = 0–0.01 are single phase in a tetragonal structure. At higher doping contents (x > 0.01), there is the formation and development of a secondary hexagonal phase. Magnetization measurements at room temperature indicate a coexistence of paramagnetic and weak-ferromagnetic behaviors in BaTi{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}O{sub 3} samples with x > 0, while pure BaTiO{sub 3} is diamagnetic. Both these properties increase with increasing x. Analyses of X-ray absorption spectra recorded from BaTi{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}O{sub 3} for the Co and Ti K-edges indicate the presence of Co{sup 2+} and Co{sup 3+} ions. They locate in the Ti{sup 4+} site of the tetragonal and hexagonal BaTiO{sub 3} structures. Particularly, there is a shift of oxidation state from Co{sup 2+} to Co{sup 3+} when Co-doping content increases. We believe that the paramagnetic nature in BaTi{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}O{sub 3} samples is due to isolated Co{sup 2+} and Co{sup 3+} centers. The addition of Co{sup 3+} ions enhances the paramagnetic behavior. Meanwhile, the origin of ferromagnetism is due to lattice defects, which is less influenced by the changes caused by the variation in concentration of Co{sup 2+} and Co{sup 3+} ions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Fe modified BaTiO{sub 3}: Influence of doping on ferroelectric property

We have investigate the ferroelectric property of Fe modified Barium Titanate (BaTiO{sub 3}) with possible tetragonal structure via solid state route was prepared. Modified sample of BaTi{sub 1−x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 3} (x=0.01, 0.02) were structural characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) using a Bruker D8 Advance XRD instruments, the value of 2θ is in between 20° to 80°. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) using a Bruker, vertex instruments has been performs to obtain Ti-O bonding in the modified sample; the region of wavenumber is from 4000 cm{sup −1} to 400 cm{sup −1}. P-E hysteresis loop measurements have been traced for different applied voltage- 100V, 300V and 500V.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Synthesis on structure and properties of zinc nanocrystal in high ordered 3D nanostructures

The wet impregnation method was employed to prepare ZnO encapsulated in mesoporous silica (ZnO/KIT-6). The prepared ZnO/KIT-6 samples have been studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm. The low angle powder XRD patterns of Calcined ZnO/KIT-6 materials showed a phase that can be indexed to cubic Ia3d. Tem images revealed well ordered cubic 3D nanoporous chennels. The ZnO encapsulated in KIT-6 can be used as light-emitting diodes and ultraviolet nanolasers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Fe{sub 2-x}Co{sub x}MnSi (x = 0, 1 and 2) Heusler alloys: Structural, magnetic and atomic site disorder properties

The Heusler alloy series Fe{sub 2-x}Co{sub x}MnSi (x = 0, 1 and 2) is theoretically predicted to be half metallic. We prepared the sample series and determined the structural and magnetic properties to check if these materials are suitable for spintronics applications. The Curie temperatures of two of the alloys have been found to be well above the room temperature. But the presence of elements with atoms of similar size leads to atomic site disorder in these alloys, which may destroy the half metallic nature. The atomic site disorder has been confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Curie-Weiss behavior of Y{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3} (x = 0 and 0.03)

The effect of bivalent cation Sr-doping on magnetic properties in multiferroic YMnO{sub 3} manganites was systemically studied by DC magnetic measurements. Both of the reported samples were prepared by solid-state reaction method with composition Y{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3} (x = 0.00 and 0.03). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the compounds are synthesized in hexagonal crystal structure with space group P6{sub 3}cm (JCPDS: 25-1079) and slight increase in the lattice parameter is observed with strontium doping. The magnetisation versus temperature curve shows no clear anomaly near the antiferromagnetic transition temperature (T{sub N}), however from the magnetic measurements at 1000Oe a slight increase in the magnetisation is clearly witnessed with increasing Stront ium content to the Y-site.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Photoelectric properties of the metamorphic InAs/InGaAs quantum dot structure at room temperature

We present the study of optical and photoelectric properties of InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on a metamorphic In{sub 0.15}Ga{sub 0.85}As buffer layer: such nanostructures show efficient light emission in the telecom window at 1.3 μm (0.95 eV) at room temperature. We prepared a sample with vertical geometry of contacts isolated from the GaAs substrate. The structure is found to be photosensitive in the spectral range above 0.9 eV at room temperature, showing distinctive features in the photovoltage and photocurrent spectra attributed to QDs, InAs wetting layer, and In{sub 0.15}Ga{sub 0.85}As metamorphic buffer, while a drop in the photoelectric signal above 1.36 eV is related to the GaAs layer. No effect of defect centers on the photoelectrical properties is found, although they are observed in the absorption spectrum. We conclude that metamorphic QDs have a low amount of interface-related defects close to the optically active region and charge carriers can be effectively collected into InAs QDs.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Synthesis and characterization of FeSe{sub 1−x}Te{sub x} (x=0, 0.5, 1) superconductors

In this study, FeTe{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} (x=0,0.5,1) samples were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method and investigated by powder XRD, SEM, Raman and resistivity measurement techniques to reveal the effect of tellurium (Te) substitution in FeSe matrix. Rietveld analysis was performed on room temperature recorded, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of pure FeSe, FeTe and FeSe{sub 0.5}Te{sub 0.5} which shows that all the compounds are crystallized in a tetragonal structure. SEM images show the dense surface morphology. Raman spectra recorded in the range from 100 to 700 cm{sup −1} at ambient temperature has been interpreted by P4/nmm space group of the lattice. The variation in intensity and shift in peak positions of some phonon modes has been discussed on the basis of variation in crystalline field effect by substituting Te in FeSe lattice. The resistivity versus temperature curves reveals that FeSe becomes superconductor at 7 K and FeSe{sub 0.5}Te{sub 0.5} shows superconductivity below 14 K while FeTe is non-superconducting compound.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Determination of elements in ayurvedic medicinal plants by AAS

India has a rich country for the uses of Ayurvedic medicinal plants for treatment and also the north- Karnataka boasts an unparallel diversity of medicinal plants. The present study attempts to estimate and compare the level of trace and heavy metals in some selected leaves and root samples of Ayurvedic medicinal plants such as Mg, Al, K, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd. The samples are collected from different places of North-Karnataka regions and sample solutions prepared as the ratio of 1:25:25+950ml=1000ppm.the trace and heavy elemental concentration was estimated using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric (AAS) Method. The average concentrations of Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn, are ranging from 2ppm to 5250.2ppm and potassium (K) has more concentration as compare to all other. The other elements likes Al, Cr, Cu, and Cd were also estimed and presented in the table. Therefore, these medicinal plants are rich in some essential minerals, especially K, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn which are essential for human health.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Study on different characteristics of doped tri calcium phosphate at different sintering temperatures

Pure β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), Zn-doped (3wt %) β-TCP and Mg- doped (3wt %) β-TCP samples were prepared by using a wet chemical precipitation synthesis technique, followed by calcination at 800 °C in air. The developed materials were subjected to sintering at different temperatures. Density and porosity were compared. The X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrometer were used to examine the changes in crystalline phases and presence of functional groups of TCP ceramics. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the pore formation, pore size, grain size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

X-ray spectroscopic and magnetic studies of RBaCo{sub 2}O{sub 5.5}, R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Y

The structural and magnetic properties of layered perovskites of the type RBaCo{sub 2}O{sub 5+δ} with δ ≤0.5 (R=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Y) have been investigated. The samples were prepared by the sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, magnetization and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. It is found that the magnetic properties depend on the size of the rare-earth ion. The critical size of the rare-earth ion introduces structural distortion which affects the Co-O hybridization in these layered perovskites. The detailed analysis of experimental and calculated XANES spectra throws some light on spin states of Co ions in these perovskites.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗