Design methodology of refractive index engineering by implantation of high-energy particles in electro-optic materials

Slab waveguides were constructed in K(1-x)Li(x)Ta(1-y)Nb(y)O(3) crystals by the implantation of (12)C(+4) ions at 30 MeV and (16)O(+5) ions at 30 and 40 MeV. The waveguides were characterized by a prism coupler setup. A refractive index drop of 10.9% was observed in a layer formed by the implantation of (16)O(+5) ions at 30 MeV. The carbon-implanted waveguides were found to be thermally stable after annealing at 450 degrees C. A semiempirical formula for predicting the change in the refractive index given the parameters of the implantation process was developed. It is argued that the combination of the basic implantation process with the semiempirical formula can be developed to become a generic method for constructing complex electro-optic circuits with a wave-guided architecture.     

Inhibition of HSV‐1 Attachment,Entry, and Cell‐to‐Cell Spread by Functionalized Multivalent Gold Nanoparticles

The use of modified nanoparticles in interactions with biological targets is attracting rapidly increasing attention. In this Full Paper, the application of gold nanoparticles capped with mercaptoethanesulfonate (Au‐MES NPs) as effective inhibitors of Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection based on their ability to mimic cell‐surface‐receptor heparan sulfate is described. Mechanistic studies reveal that Au‐MES NPs interfere with viral attachment, entry, and cell‐to‐cell spread, thereby preventing subsequent viral infection in a multimodal manner. The ligand multiplicity achieved with carrier nanoparticles is crucial in generating polyvalent interactions with the virus at high specificity, strength, and efficiency. Such multivalent‐nanoparticle‐mediated inhibition is a promising approach for alternative antiviral therapy.     

Fabrication,Characterization, and Printing of Conductive Ink Based on Multi Core–Shell Nanoparticles Synthesized by RAPET

In the current research, conductive patterns are deposited on different substrates by direct inkjet printing of conductive inks based on metal@carbon and bimetal@carbon core–shell nanoparticles synthesized by the RAPET (reaction under autogenic pressure at elevated temperatures) technique. Various co‐solvents and additives are examined for production of stable conductive ink. The morphology of the deposited layers is characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy measurements. The stability of the prepared inks is examined by dynamic light scattering measurements. The electrical resistivity is measured by a four‐point probe system and calculated using the geometric dimensions. The results obtained are very promising and indicate that the conductivity of the deposited layers is close to that of bulk metals and higher than most results published so far. Moreover, the importance and advantages of the protective carbon layer that prevents metal oxidation is demonstrated.     

Impaired motor coordination correlates with persistent multiple climbing fiber innervation in PKC gamma mutant mice

It is generally believed that a smooth execution of a compound movement, or motor coordination, requires learning of component movements as well as experience-based refinement of the motor program as a whole. PKC gamma mutant mice display impaired motor coordination but intact eyeblink conditioning, a form of component movement learning. Cerebellar long-term depression, a putative cellular mechanism for component motor learning, is also unimpaired. Thus, PKC gamma mutant mice are defective in refinement of the motor program. In the accompanying paper, we demonstrate that innervation of multiple climbing fibers onto Purkinje cells persists in adulthood in these mutant mice. We propose that this defective elimination of surplus climbing fibers underlies motor discoordination.     

Effect of inorganic constituents on chemical oxygen demand—II. Organic carbon to halogen ratios determine halogen interference

The dependency of free halogen ion oxidation in chemical oxygen demand (COD) assays on the organic content of the sample was investigated. Halogen interference was reduced at increasing glucose or potassium hydrogen phthalate concentration; in each case, a threshold ratio of organic matter to halogen existed, above which halogen oxidation was masked. This ratio depended upon the presence of mercuric sulfate in the case of chloride but not of bromide. It was also affected by the ease of oxidation of both the organic molecule and the halogen ion, as well as by their actual COD. Thus, bromide oxidation was more difficult to prevent than that of chloride, and phthalate exerted a stronger masking effect than glucose.     

Comments on computer investigations of micrographs of metal films near their continuity threshold

We describe and demonstrate a method of digitizing micrographs and a computer analysis method for a quantitative study of thin film morphologies.     

The effect of dietary starch on the digestion by sheep of cell wall monosaccharide residues in maize silage

The digestibility of individual cell wall monosaccharide residues from maize silage (MS) and from maize silage + concentrate (MS+con) diets, was examined in sheep equipped with rumen and duodenal cannulas. Dry matter digestibility was 73.8 and 86.6% in the MS and MS+con treatments, respectively. The overall digestibility of cell walls (CW) and CW monosaccharide residues was not depressed in the MS+con treatment. The values for total CW, CW glucose, CW uronic acid and for total xylose were 68.3, 77.0, 71.6 and 65.2 for MS and 69.4, 80.3, 75.3 and 63.7 for MS+con, respectively. However, the digestion of CW and CW monosaccharide residues in the rumen of the MS+con sheep was reduced and the contribution of the lower tract to the digestion of the potentially digestible CW-sugar residues was in the range of 15 to 20%. Digestibility of the soluble uronic acid was adversely affected by the concentrate, its digestibility being reduced from 88.6% in the MS to 68.7% in the MS+con treatment. Based on compositional considerations, it is envisaged that the CW structural unit of the ensiled maize plant is made of cellulose fibres enveloped by a thin, poorly lignified and penetrable matrix. The degree of branching of the matrix polysaccharides is low compared with other forage plants. It is suggested that the above mentioned properties significantly contribute to the high quality of the ensiled maize plant.