Field Effect Transistors for Terahertz Detection and Emission

Resonant frequencies of the two-dimensional plasma in field effect transistors (FETs) increase with the reduction of the channel dimensions and can reach the Terahertz (THz) range. Nonlinear properties of the plasma/electron gas in the transistor channel can be used for the rectification and detection of THz radiation. The excitation of plasma waves by sub-THz and THz radiation was demonstrated for short gate transistors at cryogenic temperatures. At room temperature plasma oscillations are usually overdamped, but the FETs can still operate as efficient broadband rectifiers/detectors in the THz range. We present a few recent experimental results on THz detection by FETs showing some new ways of improvement of FETs for THz imaging at room temperature as well as the new physical phenomena like detection in quantizing magnetic fields. We also demonstrate THz emission properties of GaN based FETs.     

Dose levels of the occupational radiation exposures in Poland based on results from the accredited dosimetry service at the IFJ PAN, Krakow

Individual dosimetry service based on thermoluminescence (TLD) detectors has started its activity at the Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ) in Krakow in 1965. In 2002, the new Laboratory of Individual and Environment Dosimetry (Polish acronym LADIS) was established and underwent the accreditation according to the EN-PN-ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Nowadays, the service is based on the worldwide known standard thermoluminescent detectors MTS-N (LiF:Mg,Ti) and MCP-N (LiF:Mg,Cu,P), developed at IFJ, processed in automatic thermoluminescent DOSACUS or RE2000 (Rados Oy, Finland) readers. Laboratory provides individual monitoring in terms of personal dose equivalent H(p)(10) and H(p)(0.07) in photon and neutron fields, over the range from 0.1 mSv to 1 Sv, and environmental dosimetry in terms of air kerma K(a) over the range from 30 μGy to 1 Gy and also ambient dose equivalent H*(10) over the range from 30 μSv to 1 Sv. Dosimetric service is currently performed for ca. 3200 institutions from Poland and abroad, monitored on quarterly and monthly basis. The goal of this paper is to identify the main activities leading to the highest radiation exposures in Poland. The paper presents the results of statistical evaluation of ～ 100,000 quarterly H(p)(10) and K(a) measurements performed between 2002 and 2009. Sixty-five per cent up to 90 % of all individual doses in Poland are on the level of natural radiation background. The dose levels between 0.1 and 5 mSv per quarter are the most frequent in nuclear medicine, veterinary and industrial radiography sectors.     

Examination of the inflammatory response following implantation of titanium plates coated with phospholipids in rats

Implantation of biomaterials like titanium (Ti) causes inflammatory reactions possibly affecting implant functionality. Surface modifications could improve biocompatibility and functionality of implants. Biomembrane-derived phospholipids might be useful as implant coating due to their biomimetic properties. In vitro studies demonstrated beneficial effects for 2-oleoyl-1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamin (POPE) as coating regarding interactions with cells and bacteria. Therefore, this in vivo study aimed at examining local inflammatory reactions after implantation of POPE-coated Ti plates. Ti implants with POPE attached non-covalently or covalent via octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA), with OPA alone and uncoated controls were simultaneously implanted intramuscularly in rats for 7, 14 and 56 days. The peri-implant tissue was quantitatively analyzed by immunohistochemistry for total macrophages, tissue macrophages, T cells, antigen-presenting cells and proliferating cells. Overall, both POPE-coated series were comparable to the controls. Furthermore, no differences were found between POPE coating on a covalently linked OPA monolayer and POPE coating dried from solution. Together with earlier in vitro results, this demonstrates the potential of phospholipids for implant surface modification.     

It doesn't hurt to ask…But sometimes it hurts to believe: Polish students' creative self-efficacy and its predictors.

This study examined predictors of creative self-efficacy (CSE) within a large sample (N=1,878) of Polish school students. Results indicate that creative self-efficacy is significantly predicted by creative abilities (measured by Test of Creative Thinking-Drawing Production) as well as self-reported originality, with 12% of the creative self-efficacy variance predicted by these criteria. Analysis of the potential antecedents of creative self-efficacy showed that it is connected with gender, socioeconomic status, and locality size. Socioeconomic status (SES) was a positive predictor of CSE. Male students were characterized by higher self-efficacy than female students and they also tended to overestimate their creative self-efficacy as predicted by abilities. In turn, females underestimated their creative self-efficacy. Socioeconomic status moderated the relations between creative abilities and creative self-efficacy, with stronger associations between abilities and efficacy in high SES groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practical and theoretical limits for electrochemical double-layer capacitors

Two types of double-layer capacitors, based on carbon materials, were analysed: (1) an imaginary nano-capacitor assembled from single graphene sheets, separated by electrolyte layers (thickness of nanometers) and (2) a capacitor based on porous carbons. It has been shown that the maximum specific surface of a porous carbon material which may be used for the construction of a capacitor is ca. 2600 m² g⁻¹. The maximum energy density of an imaginary double-layer ‘nano-capacitor’, is close to 10 kJ kg⁻¹ at a voltage of U = 1 V (aqueous electrolyte) of ca. 40–45 kJ kg⁻¹ at U ≈ 2.3–2.5 V (organic electrolytes), and at the order of 100 kJ kg⁻¹ at voltages close to 4 V (ionic liquids as electrolytes). The real device consists of porous electrodes and a separator, both soaked with the electrolyte, as well as current collectors. Consequently, the maximum electric capacity expressed versus the mass of the device (ca. 20–30 F g⁻¹), is much smaller than the corresponding value expressed versus the mass of the carbon material (ca. 300 F g⁻¹). In order to obtain the energy density of the device at a level of 100 kJ kg⁻¹ (characteristic for the lead-acid battery), the capacitor with porous carbon electrodes should operate at voltages of ca. 4 V (ionic liquids as electrolytes). However, the specific power density of such a capacitor having an acceptable energy density (ca. 100 kJ kg⁻¹) is relatively low (ca. 1 kW kg⁻¹).     

Optimization of Cellular Automata Model for the Heating of Dual-Phase Steel by Genetic Algorithm and Genetic Programming

This study considers a common metallurgical problem associated with the phase transformation of steel during heating where austenite grain tends to grow in size with time and results in poor mechanical properties in the final stages. This investigation was performed using a Cellular Automata model for dual-phase steel developed in house. Data-driven metamodels for a biobjective optimization problem involving minimizing average austenite grain size along with the maximizing of time of heating were constructed using Evolutionary Neural Network (EvoNN) and Biobjective Genetic Programming (BioGP). The input variables selected for this task were (i) heating rate, (ii) pearlite percentage, (iii) nucleation density of austenite, and (iv) the finish temperature of austenite formation. The analyses of the results led to the fact that heating rate is the most influencing factor and it needs to be large during transformation to obtain a refined microstructure. The comparison of Pareto front between EvoNN and BioGP reveals a better performance of the latter. Limited experimental confirmation was also carried out.     

The Effects of Cadmium at Low Environmental Concentrations on THP-1 Macrophage Apoptosis

Cadmium at environmental concentrations is a risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, in which macrophages play an important role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cadmium at low environmental (nanomolar) concentrations on apoptotic processes in THP-1(acute monocytic leukemia cells line)-derived macrophages, with special focus on mitochondrial events involved. Macrophages were incubated with various cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) solutions for 48 h at final concentrations of 5 nM, 20 nM, 200 nM and 2 µM CdCl₂. Cell viability was measured using flow cytometry. Flow cytometric measurement (annexin V/FITC (annexin V/fluorescein isothiocyanate) and PI (propidium iodide) double staining) was used to quantify the extent of apoptosis. Fluorescence and confocal microscopy were used for imaging of apoptosis process. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored using cytofluorimetry after cell staining with JC-1(5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazol-carbocyane iodide) probe. Mitochondrial ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels were measured cytofluorimetrically after incubation of cells with mitochondrial superoxide indicator (MitoSOX) red fluorescent marker. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was analysed with qRT-PCR. Our study demonstrates that cadmium, even at low environmental concentrations, exerts mitochondrial toxicity in THP-1 macrophages. Forty-eight-hour exposure to very low concentrations reduces cell viability and results in cell death by apoptosis and necrosis. The decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, increased ROS production, increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 mRNA expression are mitochondrial events involved in cadmium-induced apoptosis.     

Temperature dependence of water activity in aqueous solutions of sucrose

A comprehensive experimental data analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of temperature on the water activity coefficient and selected excess thermodynamic functions for aqueous solutions of sucrose. A four-suffix Margules equation with temperature-dependent parameters was used to fit thermodynamic data such as the vapor pressure, boiling point, osmotic coefficient, freezing point, sucrose solubility, heat of dilution and specific heat of solution. The proposed equation gives an adequate representation of the available literature data on sucrose solutions for temperatures from −15 to +150 °C and sucrose concentrations up to 98% wt. The isotherms of water activity coefficient exhibit a characteristic minimum at about 96% wt. sucrose which is then followed by a dramatic increase to values well exceeding 1, as it was suggested before by some theoretical models [Starzak, M., & Mathlouthi, M. (2002). Water activity in concentrated sucrose solutions and its consequences for the availability of water in the film of syrup surrounding the sugar crystal. Zuckerindustrie, 127, 175–185; Van Hook, A. (1987). The thermodynamic activity of concentrated sugar solutions. Zuckerindustrie, 112, 597–600]. The effect of temperature on water activity, almost negligible for dilute solutions, was found significant for very concentrated solutions (above 80% wt. sucrose). The new water activity equation should find numerous applications in the food technology and sugar industry.