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The fusion excitation and elastic angular distribution were measured for 6,7Li+28Si from below to above Coulomb barrier (≤ 3Vb) energies. The barrier distribution derived from the fusion data was found to be broad and asymmetric at the sub-barrier region, compared to 1D BPM estimation. Effect of rotational coupling on fusion was found to be not so dominant. Phenomenological optical potential parameters, with surface and volume type imaginary potentials, were obtained from f tting of elastic scattering data and energy dependence of real and imaginary surface strengths were investigated around the barrier. CDCC calculations considering only breakup of projectile were performed for 6,7Li+28Si with the elastic scattering data, using the code FRESCO. The effects of breakup of projectile on elastic cross section do not agree with the energy dependence of real and imaginary strength with volume type imaginary potential around the barrier.

We report the effect of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) electrodes on the temperature dependence of the magnetoresistance (MR) of LSMO/polymer/cobalt spin valves (SVs). LSMO films have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition on three different single crystal substrates using different deposition parameters. The films were characterized for their surface morphologies, structural, magnetic, and magnetotransport properties. Low deposition rate is found to be detrimental for growth of good quality films and polycrystalline films with grain boundary effects are observed in thicker films. The films on MGO (100) substrate show a broad paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition, accompanied with a metal-insulator transition below room temperature. This indicates growth of some strained structures due to large lattice mismatch (9%) between the substrate and the film and presence of polycrystalline grain boundaries. The deposited films on STO (100) and NGO (001) show much sharper magnetic transition and metallic behavior indicating higher spin polarization (SP) of LSMO on these substrates at room temperature. SVs made on STO (100) show improvement in switching behavior and better MR response compared to the devices made on MGO (100) at low temperatures. No difference in MR response was found at room temperature in either case. We conclude that the bulk spin polarization of LSMO films is not very important in the SV operation. The loss of most of the SP carriers at the LSMO/organic semiconductor interface at room temperature is a more dominant effect and drastically reduces the MR signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ability to digitally control the amount of a deposited material is one of the many advantages of inkjet printing. In this letter, we demonstrate the applicability of inkjet printing for the fabrication of depletion-load nMOS inverters based on metal oxide thin-film-transistors (TFTs) from printed metal oxide precursors where the threshold voltage of the TFTs is controlled by adjusting the thickness of the deposited semiconductor layer. Enhancement- and depletion-mode n-type In2O3 TFTs were fabricated from In-nitrate precursor using two printing strategies: 1) multilayer multinozzle printing and 2) single-layer single-nozzle printing in perpendicular or parallel to the TFT channel. TFTs with saturation mobility up to \sim 2.4 cm2/( \text {V}\cdot \text {s} ) and the ON/OFF-ratio of 10^{7}$ were obtained after annealing at 300 °C. Devices connected as depletion-load nMOS inverters showed gain up to $\sim 26$ on a Si/SiO2 substrate, and an inverter on a flexible polyimide substrate with atomic layer deposited Al2O3 dielectric was demonstrated with a maximum gain of $\sim 45$ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic scattering angular distributions for 6Li+Si system were measured at and analyzed along with the existing data from the previous measurements in the energy range of . The measured cross-sections and the existing data, forming a set of angular distributions over a range of E/, were analyzed using the phenomenological optical model potential (OMP). Three different sets of potential parameters were used. The energy dependence of the real and the imaginary potential strengths were, subsequently, extracted at the radius of sensitivity () for the system. Continuum Discretized Coupled Channel (CDCC) calculation was performed to explore the contribution of projectile break-up (BU) on the observed energy dependence of the effective potential for elastic scattering of 6Li from Si. The energy variation of the strength of the real potential with continuum coupling was found to agree with the energy dependence of the same extracted from the (OMP) analysis at energies around the barrier. But the behavior of the imaginary strength appeared to be different. The calculated fusion cross-sections, including the effect of BU, clearly overestimated the measured fusion excitation function data in the below and near barrier energies but compared well with the data at higher energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusion excitation functions are measured for the system 6Li + 28Si using the characteristic $ \gamma$ -ray method, encompassing both the sub-barrier and above-barrier regions, viz, Elab = 7-24 MeV. Two separate experiments were performed, one for the above-barrier region ( Elab = 11-24 MeV) and another for the below-barrier region ( Elab = 7-10 MeV). The results were compared with our previously measured fusion cross-section for the 7Li + 28Si system. We observed the enhancement of the fusion cross-section at sub-barrier regions for both 6Li and 7Li , but the yield was substantially larger for 6Li . However, for well-above-barrier regions, a similar type of suppression was identified for both the systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, controlled anodic oxidation is reported for ultra-thin (3nm thick) titanium layers on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. A physical explanation is also provided for the origin of the delamination process of the Ti during the anodic oxidation. The properties of the fabricated layers are studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, one intriguing application is demonstrated for the anodized layers: their use as an interfacial barrier in organic diodes. Diodes containing an electrochemically fabricated TiO2barrier layer exhibit clear room temperature negative differential resistance (NDR) and a peak-to-valley current ratio (PVCR) of 3.6. The reference diodes without the TiO2layer show normal diode characteristics with no observable NDR. The NDR diodes have potential applications as memory elements for large-area electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angular distributions of elastic scattering and inelastic scattering from 2+1 state are measured for 16O+142,144,146Nd systems at several energies in the vicinity of the Coulomb barrier. The angular distributions are systematically analyzed in coupled channel framework. Renormalized double folded real optical and coupling potentials with DDM3Y interaction have been used in the calculation. Relevant nuclear densities needed to generate the potentials are derived from shell model wavefunctions. A truncated shell model calculation has been performed and the calculated energy levels are compared with the experimental ones. To simulate the absorption, a ‘hybrid’ approach is adopted. The contribution to the imaginary potential of couplings to the inelastic channels, other than the 2+1 target excitation channel, is calculated in the Feshbach formalism. This calculated imaginary potential along with a short ranged volume Woods–Saxon potential to simulate the absorption in fusion channel reproduces the angular distributions for 16O+146Nd quite well. But for 16O+142,144Nd systems additional surface absorption is found to be necessary to fit the angular distribution data. The variations of this additional absorption term with incident energy and the mass of the target are explored. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we use RNAseq to identify senescence and phagocytosis as key factors to understanding how mitomyin C (MMC) stimulates regenerative wound repair. We use conditioned media (CM) from untreated (CMC) and MMC treated (CMM) human and mouse corneal epithelial cells to show that corneal epithelial cells indirectly exposed to MMC secrete elevated levels of immunomodulatory proteins including IL-1α and TGFβ1 compared to cells exposed to CMC. These factors increase epithelial and macrophage phagocytosis and promote ECM turnover. IL-1α supplementation can increase phagocytosis in control epithelial cells and attenuate TGFβ1 induced αSMA expression by corneal fibroblasts. Yet, we show that epithelial cell CM contains factors besides IL-1α that regulate phagocytosis and αSMA expression by fibroblasts. Exposure to CMM also impacts the activation of bone marrow derived dendritic cells and their ability to present antigen. These in vitro studies show how a brief exposure to MMC induces corneal epithelial cells to release proteins and other factors that function in a paracrine way to enhance debris removal and enlist resident epithelial and immune cells as well as stromal fibroblasts to support regenerative and not fibrotic wound healing., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In many animals, maternally synthesized mRNAs are critical for primary germ layer formation. In Xenopus, several maternal mRNAs are enriched in the animal blastomere progenitors of the embryonic ectoderm. We previously identified one of these, WW-domain binding protein 2 N-terminal like (wbp2nl), that others previously characterized as a sperm protein (PAWP) that promotes meiotic resumption. Herein we demonstrate that it has an additional developmental role in regionalizing the embryonic ectoderm. Knock-down of Wbp2nl in the dorsal ectoderm reduced cranial placode and neural crest gene expression domains and expanded neural plate domains; knock-down in ventral ectoderm reduced epidermal gene expression. Conversely, increasing levels of Wbp2nl in the neural plate induced ectopic epidermal and neural crest gene expression and repressed many neural plate and cranial placode genes. The effects in the neural plate appear to be mediated, at least in part, by down-regulating chd, a BMP antagonist. Because the cellular function of Wbp2nl is not known, we mutated several predicted motifs. Expressing mutated proteins in embryos showed that a putative phosphorylation site at Thr45 and an α-helix in the PH-G domain are required to ectopically induce epidermal and neural crest genes in the neural plate. An intact YAP-binding motif also is required for ectopic epidermal gene expression as well as for down-regulating chd. This work reveals novel developmental roles for a cytoplasmic protein that promotes epidermal and neural crest formation at the expense of neural ectoderm., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The inkjet-printing process of precursor solutions containing In nitrate dissolved in 2-methoxyethanol is optimized using ethylene glycol as a cosolvent that allows the stabilization of the droplet formation, leading to a robust, repeatable printing process. The inkjet-printed precursor films are then converted to In 2 O 3 semiconductors at flexible-substrate-compatible low temperatures (150-200 °C) using combined far-ultraviolet (FUV) exposure at ∼160 nm and thermal treatment. The compositional nature of the precursor-to-metal oxide conversion is studied using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), X-ray reflectivity (XRR), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy that indicate that amorphous, high density (up to 5.87 g/cm 3 ), and low impurity In 2 O 3 films can be obtained using the combined annealing technique. Prolonged annealing (180 min) at 150 °C yields enhancement-mode TFTs with saturation mobility of 4.3 cm 2 /(Vs) and ∼1 cm 2 /(Vs) on rigid Si/SiO 2 and flexible plastic PEN substrates, respectively. This paves the way for manufacturing relatively high-performance, printed metal-oxide TFT arrays on cheap, flexible substrate for commercial applications.

Industrially scalable and roll-to-roll-compatible fabrication methods are utilized to fabricate high-mobility (≈8 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) ) nanocrystalline In2 O3 thin-film transistors (TFTs) on an flexible plastic substrate. Flexographic printing of multiple thin In2 O3 semiconductor layers from precursor-solution is performed on a Al2 O3 gate dielectric obtained via atomic layer deposition. A low-temperature post-contact-annealing step allows control of the TFT device turn-on voltage to ≈0 V for enhancement-mode operation., (© 2015 VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.)

The urea cycle converts ammonia, a waste product of protein catabolism, into urea. Because fish dispose ammonia directly into water, the role of the urea cycle in fish remains unknown. Six enzymes, N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS), carbamylphosphate synthetase III, ornithine transcarbamylase, argininosuccinate synthase, argininosuccinate lyase and arginase 1, and two membrane transporters, ornithine transporter and aralar, comprise the urea cycle. The genes for all six enzymes and both transporters are present in the zebrafish genome. NAGS (EC 2.3.1.1) catalyzes the formation of N-acetylglutamate from glutamate and acetyl coenzyme A and in zebrafish is partially inhibited by L-arginine. NAGS and other urea cycle genes are highly expressed during the first four days of zebrafish development. Sequence alignment of NAGS proteins from six fish species revealed three regions of sequence conservation: the mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS) at the N-terminus, followed by the variable and conserved segments. Removal of the MTS yields mature zebrafish NAGS (zfNAGS-M) while removal of the variable segment from zfNAGS-M results in conserved NAGS (zfNAGS-C). Both zfNAGS-M and zfNAGS-C are tetramers in the absence of L-arginine; addition of L-arginine decreased partition coefficients of both proteins. The zfNAGS-C unfolds over a broader temperature range and has higher specific activity than zfNAGS-M. In the presence of L-arginine the apparent Vmax of zfNAGS-M and zfNAGS-C decreased, their Km(app) for acetyl coenzyme A increased while the Km(app) for glutamate remained unchanged. The expression pattern of NAGS and other urea cycle genes in developing zebrafish suggests that they may have a role in citrulline and/or arginine biosynthesis during the first day of development and in ammonia detoxification thereafter. Biophysical and biochemical properties of zebrafish NAGS suggest that the variable segment may stabilize a tetrameric state of zfNAGS-M and that under physiological conditions zebrafish NAGS catalyzes formation of N-acetylglutamate at the maximal rate.

Background: Cheap, reliable, point-of-care diagnostics is a necessity for the growing and aging population of the world. Paper substrate and printing method, combined together, are the cheapest possible method for generating high-volume diagnostic sensor platforms. Electrical transduction tools also minimize the cost and enhance the simplicity of the devices., Methods: Standard surface characterization techniques, namely contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the growth of the organic thiol layers on top of the printed metal electrodes on paper substrates. The results were compared with those obtained by impedimetric electrical characterization method., Results: This article reports the fabrication and characterization of printed metal electrodes and their functionalization by organic layers on paper and plastic substrates for biosensing and diagnostic applications. Impedimetric measurement is proposed as a simple, yet elegant, method of characterization of the organic layer growth., Conclusions: Very good correlation was observed between the results of organic layer growth from different measurement methods, justifying the use of paper as a substrate, printing as a method for fabricating metal and organic layers and impedance as a suitable measurement method for hand-held diagnostic devices., General Significance: This result paves the way for the fabrication of more advanced bio-recognition layers for bio-affinity sensors using a printing technology that is compatible with flexible and cheap paper substrates. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organic Bioelectronics - Novel Applications in Biomedicine., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this article, we report on the formation and mode-of-operation of an affinity biosensor, where alternate layers of biotin/streptavidin/biotinylated-CRP-antigen/anti-CRP antibody are grown on printed gold electrodes on disposable paper-substrates. We have successfully demonstrated and detected the formation of consecutive layers of supra-molecular protein assembly using an electrical (impedimetric) technique. The formation process is also supplemented and verified using conventional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements and surface sensitive characterization techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The article provides a possible biosensor development scheme, where-(1) fabrication of paper substrate (2) synthesis of gold nanoparticle inks (3) inkjet printing of gold electrodes on paper (4) formation of the biorecognition layers on the gold electrodes and (5) electrical (impedimetric) analysis of growth-all are coupled together to form a test-structure for a recyclable and inexpensive point-of-care diagnostic platform.

Background: The efficient conversion of ammonia, a potent neurotoxin, into non-toxic metabolites was an essential adaptation that allowed animals to move from the aquatic to terrestrial biosphere. The urea cycle converts ammonia into urea in mammals, amphibians, turtles, snails, worms and many aquatic animals and requires N-acetylglutamate (NAG), an essential allosteric activator of carbamylphosphate synthetase I (CPSI) in mammals and amphibians, and carbamylphosphate synthetase III (CPSIII) in fish and invertebrates. NAG-dependent CPSI and CPSIII catalyze the formation of carbamylphosphate in the first and rate limiting step of ureagenesis. NAG is produced enzymatically by N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS), which is also found in bacteria and plants as the first enzyme of arginine biosynthesis. Arginine is an allosteric inhibitor of microbial and plant NAGS, and allosteric activator of mammalian NAGS., Results: Information from mutagenesis studies of E. coli and P. aeruginosa NAGS was combined with structural information from the related bacterial N-acetylglutamate kinases to identify four residues in mammalian NAGS that interact with arginine. Substitutions of these four residues were engineered in mouse NAGS and into the vertebrate-like N-acetylglutamate synthase-kinase (NAGS-K) of Xanthomonas campestris, which is inhibited by arginine. All mutations resulted in arginine losing the ability to activate mouse NAGS, and inhibit X. campestris NAGS-K. To examine at what point in evolution inversion of arginine effect on NAGS occur, we cloned NAGS from fish and frogs and examined the arginine response of their corresponding proteins. Fish NAGS were partially inhibited by arginine and frog NAGS were activated by arginine., Conclusion: Difference in arginine effect on bacterial and mammalian NAGS most likely stems from the difference in the type of conformational change triggered by arginine binding to these proteins. The change from arginine inhibition of NAGS to activation was gradual, from complete inhibition of bacterial NAGS, to partial inhibition of fish NAGS, to activation of frog and mammalian NAGS. This change also coincided with the conquest of land by amphibians and mammals.