Selective area epitaxy of CdTe

We have performed selective area epitaxy (SAE) of CdTe layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy using a shadow mask technique. This technique was chosen over other SAE techniques due to its simplicity and its compatibility with multiple SAE patterning steps. Features as small as 50 microns × 50 microns were obtained with sharp, abrupt side walls and flat mesa tops. Separations between mesas as small as 20 microns were also obtained. Shadowing effects due to the finite thickness of the mask were reduced by placing the CdTe source in a near normal incidence position. Intimate contact between the mask and the substrate was essential in order to achieve good pattern definition.     

Kinetic investigation of the carbothermal reduction of an Iranian clay

The kinetics of the carbothermal reduction of clay under argon atmosphere has been investigated by the X-ray diffraction method. The clay-carbon (excess) mixture was formed into 2 cm diameter disks of different thicknesses. Experimental data evidences the significant effect of sample thickness on the reaction rate at 1400 °C. Decreasing thickness promotes mullite dissociation and formation of SiC and alumina powders. Mathematical modeling of the reaction system showed the gas diffusion in the Knudsen regime through the pellet to be the rate controlling step. Diffusivity of CO and reacted core tortuosity factor have been calculated.     

Kinome-Wide Profiling Identifies Human WNK3 as a Target of Cajanin Stilbene Acid from Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.

Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is a common food crop used in many parts of the world for nutritional purposes. One of its chemical constituents is cajanin stilbene acid (CSA), which exerts anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. In an effort to identify molecular targets of CSA, we performed a kinome-wide approach based on the measurement of the enzymatic activities of 252 human kinases. The serine-threonine kinase WNK3 (also known as protein kinase lysine-deficient 3) was identified as the most promising target of CSA with the strongest enzymatic activity inhibition in vitro and the highest binding affinity in molecular docking in silico. The lowest binding affinity and the predicted binding constant pKi of CSA (−9.65 kcal/mol and 0.084 µM) were comparable or even better than those of the known WNK3 inhibitor PP-121 (−9.42 kcal/mol and 0.123 µM). The statistically significant association between WNK3 mRNA expression and cellular responsiveness to several clinically established anticancer drugs in a panel of 60 tumor cell lines and the prognostic value of WNK3 mRNA expression in sarcoma biopsies for the survival time of 230 patients can be taken as clues that CSA-based inhibition of WNK3 may improve treatment outcomes of cancer patients and that CSA may serve as a valuable supplement to the currently used combination therapy protocols in oncology.     

Removal of aqueous Fe2+ using MnO2–clinoptilolite in a batch slurry reactor: Catalyst synthesis,characterization and modeling of catalytic behavior

An Iranian clinoptilolite has been modified with MnO₂ for the catalytic removal of Fe²⁺ cations from water in a batch slurry reactor. The modified zeolite was subjected to FESEM, XRD, WDX, XRF and specific surface area analysis. A correlation for the intrinsic catalytic reaction rate incorporating both Fe²⁺ and dissolved oxygen concentration as a function of reaction temperature has been presented. The effect of the modified zeolite aggregate particle size on the iron removal kinetics has been investigated. It was shown that for particles larger than 150 μm, diffusion through the mesopores of the zeolite aggregate is rate controlling. The effective diffusion coefficient through the particles at RT has been calculated as 2.3 × 10^?6 cm² s^?1. It is shown that liquid phase molecular diffusion within the mesopores is the dominating mass transfer mechanism.     

Low BER Performance Estimation of LDPC Codes via Application of Importance Sampling to Trapping Sets

We introduce an importance sampling (IS) method that successfully simulates the performance of Low density Parity Check (LDPC) Codes in an AWGN channel at very low bit error rates (BERs). By effectively finding and biasing bit node combinations that are the dominant sources of error events, called trapping sets, the developed technique provokes more frequent decoder failures. Consequently, fewer simulation runs and higher simulation gains are achieved.     

Reconciliation between experimental and Monte Carlo-based simulation of the pore size distribution in mesoporous silicon

It is demonstrated for the first time that mesoporous PS structures obtained by the electrochemical etching of p(+)(100) oriented silicon wafers might assume the peculiarity of invariance of the first peak positions in their pore size distribution curves, albeit for current densities far from the electropolishing region and at constant electrolyte composition. A new Monte Carlo-based simulation model is presented that predicts reasonably the pore size distribution of the PS layers and the observed invariance of peak position with respect to changes in current density. The main highlight of the new model is the introduction of a 'light avalanche breakdown' process in a mathematical fashion. The model is also able to predict an absolute value of 4.23?? for the smallest pore created experimentally. It is discussed that the latter value has an exact physical meaning: it corresponds with great accuracy to the width of a void created on the surface due to the exclusion of one Si atom.     

Taguchi design of experiments approach to the manufacture of one-step alumina microfilter/membrane supports by the centrifugal casting technique

The Taguchi design of experiments method was implemented for the optimization of the manufacture of sintered one-step alumina microfilter/membrane supports by the centrifugal casting technique for the first time. A 10 wt.% alumina aqueous slip containing Tiron (0.001 g/g alumina) as dispersant and PVA as binder were used. Acceleration (3 levels), slip volume (3 levels), binder content (3 levels) and pH (2 levels) were selected as controlling parameters (saturated L-9 array). The use of three different target functions has been discussed: (1) the product of top-layer surface porosity times the reciprocal of top-layer surface pore diameter; (2) the product of permeability times thickness; and (3) membrane curvature. It is deduced that the first target function is the most appropriate as far as the membrane characteristics of the sintered compact are concerned. Using this target function a distinct optimum configuration for the controlling parameter levels could be obtained.     

New Insights of the Glycine-Nitrate Process For the Synthesis of Nano-Crystalline 8YSZ

Nano-crystalline 8YSZ was synthesized by the glycine-nitrate process in a muffle furnace using zirconyl nitrate and yttrium nitrate as sources of oxidants. The effect of changing the elemental stoichiometric coefficient over a wide range (0.756–1.605) on the product characteristics (crystallite size, percent unreacted, surface area) has been investigated. It is demonstrated that the combustion reaction proceeds most efficiently in the fuel-lean region. A novel and simple mathematical model is presented that allows to evaluate the thickness of the sheet-like particles of the foamy final product based on BET data. The calculated thickness values are in good agreement with the experimental data. For the first time, the effect of using ammonium nitrate as a combustion aid for the stoichiometric precursor composition has been studied. The optimum amount of combustion aid addition has been determined.