A neural network for predicting the stability of RNA/DNA hybrid duplexes

A back propagation (BP) neural network (NN) method has been developed to predict the stability of RNA/DNA duplex. Calculated T_m of hybrid formation with the present parameters fits the experimental values within reasonable errors (AD=1.2887 K, SEP=1.782, R²=0.9673 for NN1; AD=2.1388 K, SEP=3.506, R²=0.8889 for NN2). And it has the advantage that the determinations of thermodynamic parameters (TP) are not needed.     

Thermal characterization of gallium arsenic nitride epilayer on gallium arsenide substrate using pulsed photothermal reflectance technique

Thermal conductivity of gallium arsenic nitride (GaAsN) epilayer on gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate prepared by molecular beam epitaxy technique was measured using pulsed photothermal reflectance technique. Three-layer model incorporated thermal boundary resistance was applied to extract the thermal properties from the sample's photothermal response. Within the thickness ranging from 20 to 80 nm, no thickness dependent relationship with thermal conductivity of GaAsN epilayer was found, and the average thermal conductivity is approximately 27 W/mK at room temperature. The thermal boundary resistance at the Au/GaAsN interface is in the order of 10⁻⁸ m²K/W.     

The effects of gravity on the features of the interfacial waves in annular two-phase flow

A physical model of interfacial waves in annular two-phase flow was studied in both microgravity and normal gravity. The wave structure was obtained for local film thickness and velocity measurements using a conductance probe technique. It was found that the wave height, and not its width, is strongly affected by changing the gravity level. In fact, the wave height in normal gravity is more than twice that in microgravity. Using an analogous approach to a turbulent, single-phase flow in a rough tube, a preliminary mathematical model was proposed to calculate the wave amplitude. The model fits well with the experimental data and shows that the wave height in normal gravity is approximately 1.7 times the combined thickness of the viscous sublayer and transition zones in the turbulent gas stream. The wave height in microgravity was estimated to be approximately 80% of the total thickness.     

Effect of synthesis temperature on density and microstructure of MgB2 superconductor at ambient pressure

The experimental thermodynamic of MgB₂ synthesis process and phase compositions have been investigated by diffraction thermal analysis (DTA) technology and X-ray diffraction. The fabrication of MgB₂ bulks and superconducting properties at the temperatures range from 600 to 800°C were reported. And microstructure of MgB₂ bulks were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). A method was developed to determine the porosity of MgB₂ and the highest density can be obtained in MgB₂ prepared at 650°C at ambient pressure. It is found that the vapor pressure of Mg increases remarkably at high temperature, leading to the high porosity in MgB₂ samples. MgB₂ bulk with good superconducting property and fine microstructure was synthesized at 750°C.     

Investigation of elastic modulus of nanoporous alumina membrane

Nanoporous alumina membranes containing parallel regular pores of uniform size and normal to substrate surface were fabricated by anodically oxidizing high purity aluminum foils in acid solutions and their elastic modulus was investigated. The continuous out-of-plane displacement and current load of the porous membranes were obtained through bulge test combining real-time ESPI (electronic speckle pattern interferometry) observation system. Then the elastic modulus was calculated through an analytical model and the pore distortion after load was characterized by HRSEM (high resolution scan electron microscope). Measurement of mechanical properties indicates unusual mechanical behavior of these anodic alumina films compared with bulk alumina materials. This observation may help shed light on fracture mechanism of these films with nanopore arrays and bring further understanding on connecting of micro-meso structure and mechanical properties.