Study of GaP/Si electron-selective contact deposited by plasma

The article is based on an important characterization task to accurately evaluate the properties of the layers, their interfaces with c-Si, and to select the best candidates to integrate them into a c-Si-based solar cell. The work has shown that GaP could be doped with n-type doping, thus providing a selective contact for the electrons, and has a significant valence band offset with c-Si, making it an excellent candidate as a selective contact, without requiring an additional ITO layer.

X-ray fluorescence mapping: Insights into mesoscale structure impact on battery functional electrochemistry

Electron transfer and ion transport occurs over multiple-length scales ranging from the atomic to mesoscale within battery materials and electrodes. Micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) is an important characterization tool as it can resolve structural, compositional, and redox information while providing insight into the spatial distribution of an electroactive material. In this work, µ-XRF mapping is used to probe the distribution of iron within thin planar slurry-based and thick porous carbon nanotube (CNT)-based magnetite (Fe3O4) electrodes. Notably, the porous CNT-based electrode showed homogenous distribution of Fe within the electrode whereas the planar electrode demonstrated distinct Fe aggregates. This information was used to rationalize the electrochemistry observed by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. The thick porous electrode delivered 215% more capacity per gram of magnetite during the first discharge, consistent with increased electrode homogeneity enabling effective ion access and electron transfer. Graphical Abstract

Nanotechnology and the Most Important Characterization Techniques for Nanomaterial's: A Review

Due to the importance of nanotechnology because of its features and applications in various fields, it has become the focus of attention of the world and researchers. In this study, the concept of nanotechnology and nanomaterials was identified, the most important methods of preparing them, as well as the preparation techniques and the most important devices used in their characterization.

Effect of low sintering temperature on the structural and magnetic properties of M-type strontium hexaferrite

A pure M-type strontium hexaferrite with nominal composition SrFe12O19 was prepared via modified conventional citrate precursor method. The basic idea of investigation was to improve the quality of hexagonal ferrite without high temperature sintering as these ferrites are generally known for high temperature sintering techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) of powdered sample was carried out to identify the desired crystallization point suitable for the formation of M-phase. After dividing the sample into two equal parts, the prepared sample was sintered at two different temperatures, 800˚C and 910˚C. The properties of the material were investigated via using important characterization techniques, XRD, FESEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy (RS) and VSM respectively. The XRD confirmed the formation of M-phase along with some impurities of Fe2O3 and these results were strongly supported via both FTIR and RS. On increasing the sintering temperature, the average crystallite size was found to increase from 25nm to 33nm. The FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of densely packed grains some hexagonal platelets along with agglomerates. The magnetic parameters saturation magnetization (Ms), magnetic coericivity (Hc) and squarenes ratio (SQR) were investigated by using VSM. The value of Ms for ferrite sample sintered at 910˚C was found to be 92emu/g but at the same time the Hc value was found in the range of few hundreds of Oestered. This kind of behavior was due to the smaller grain size and the presence of impurity phase which was totally against the nature strontium hexaferrite. Such properties of M-type hexagonal ferrite was found very rare and procured to be an excellent candidate for switching devices, recording media, high frequency applications and many more.

Electrophysiological Characterization of Human Atria: The Understated Role of Temperature

Ambient temperature has a profound influence on cellular electrophysiology through direct control over the gating mechanisms of different ion channels. In the heart, low temperature is known to favor prolongation of the action potential. However, not much is known about the influence of temperature on other important characterization parameters such as the resting membrane potential (RMP), excitability, morphology and characteristics of the action potential (AP), restitution properties, conduction velocity (CV) of signal propagation, etc. Here we present the first, detailed, systematic in silico study of the electrophysiological characterization of cardiomyocytes from different regions of the normal human atria, based on the effects of ambient temperature (5−50°C). We observe that RMP decreases with increasing temperature. At ~ 48°C, the cells lose their excitability. Our studies show that different parts of the atria react differently to the same changes in temperature. In tissue simulations a drop in temperature correlated positively with a decrease in CV, but the decrease was region-dependent, as expected. In this article we show how this heterogeneous response can provide an explanation for the development of a proarrhythmic substrate during mild hypothermia. We use the above concept to propose a treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation that involves severe hypothermia in specific regions of the heart for a duration of only ~ 200 ms.

Size-exclusion chromatography as a useful tool for the assessment of polymer quality and determination of macromolecular properties

Polymers, macromolecules in nature and bio-polymers like proteins and antibodies are present in our every-day life and play an important role in our economy. They are obviously present as plastic products (e.g., containers, clothing, car tires) or components, e.g., as expedients in pharmaceutical formulations, additives in food and feed, stabilizers in cosmetics, used in construction materials, ceramics and are key in microchip production. Size-exclusion chromatography is the most important characterization technique for macromolecules. This review covers applications, instrumental setup, step-by-step guides for performing experiments and covers theoretical background as well as troubleshooting and tips and tricks.

Interval Ranges of Fuzzy Sets Induced by Arithmetic Operations Using Gradual Numbers

Wu introduced the interval range of fuzzy sets. Based on this, he defined a kind of arithmetic of fuzzy sets using a gradual number and gradual sets. From the point of view of soft computing, this definition provides a new way of handling the arithmetic operations of fuzzy sets. The interval range is an important characterization of a fuzzy set. The interval range is also useful for analyses and applications of arithmetic. In this paper, we present general conclusions on crucial problems related to interval ranges of fuzzy sets induced by this arithmetic. These conclusions indicate that the corresponding conclusions in previous works should be modified: firstly, we give properties of the arithmetic and the composites of finite arithmetic. Then, we discuss the relationship between the domain of a gradual set and the range of its induced fuzzy set, and the relationship between the domain of a gradual set and the interval range of its induced fuzzy set. Based on the above results, we present the relationship between the intersection of the interval ranges of a group of fuzzy sets and the interval ranges of their resulting fuzzy sets obtained by compositions of finite arithmetic. Furthermore, we construct examples to show that even under conditions stronger than in previous work, there are still various possibilities in the relationship between the intersection of interval ranges of a group of fuzzy sets and the ranges of their resulted fuzzy sets, and there are still various possibilities in the relationship between the intersection of the interval ranges of a group of fuzzy sets and the interval ranges of their resulting fuzzy sets.

Fish Pathology Research and Diagnosis in Aquaculture of Farmed Fish; a Proteomics Perspective

One of the main constraints in aquaculture production is farmed fish vulnerability to diseases due to husbandry practices or external factors like pollution, climate changes, or even the alterations in the dynamic of product transactions in this industry. It is though important to better understand and characterize the intervenients in the process of a disease outbreak as these lead to huge economical losses in aquaculture industries. High-throughput technologies like proteomics can be an important characterization tool especially in pathogen identification and the virulence mechanisms related to host-pathogen interactions on disease research and diagnostics that will help to control, prevent, and treat diseases in farmed fish. Proteomics important role is also maximized by its holistic approach to understanding pathogenesis processes and fish responses to external factors like stress or temperature making it one of the most promising tools for fish pathology research.

Some Results on Cosymplectic Manifolds Admitting Certain Vector Fields

The purpose of present paper is to study cosymplectic manifolds admitting certain special vector fields such as holomorphically planar conformal (in short HPC) vector field. First, we prove that an HPC vector field on a cosymplectic manifold is also a Jacobi-type vector field. Then, we obtain the necessary conditions for such a vector field to be Killing. Finally, we give an important characterization for a torse-forming vector field on such a manifold given as to be recurrent.

EPEN-53. C11orf95-RELA REPROGRAMS 3D EPIGENOME IN SUPRATENTORIAL EPENDYMOMA

Ependymoma is the third most common malignant brain tumor in children. However, there is no effective chemotherapy identified and treatment is limited to surgery with or without adjuvant radiation therapy currently. Thus, to develop targeted therapy based on the underlying biology is an urgent need. Since 2014, C11orf95-RELA fusion was found to be the most recurrent structural variation in approximately 70% of supratentorial ependymomas (ST-EPN), but the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis are unclear. Here we utilized HEK293T transgene models and a ST-EPN cell line to investigate the epigenomic changes and transcriptional regulations by C11orf95-RELA fusion. By applying ChIP-seq and HiChIP approaches, we found C11orf95-RELA is a novel transcription factor that recognizes a specific DNA motif dictated by the C11orf95 component while the RELA component is required for driving the expression of ependymoma-associated genes such as CCND1 and L1CAM. Moreover, C11orf95-RELA modulates chromatin states and mediates chromatin interactions, leading to transcriptional reprogramming in ST-EPN cells. Multiple signaling pathways such as Notch signaling and G-protein signaling are identified to be involved in ST-EPN development. Our findings provide important characterization of the molecular underpinning of C11orf95-RELA fusion and shed light on potential therapeutic targets for C11orf95-RELA subtype ependymoma.