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The use of nanoparticles has significantly increased in many areas, such as biomedical research, being highly useful as nanoprobes for imaging and as nanocarriers for drug delivery applications. Nevertheless, this potential can only be achieved with the correct characterization of the nanoparticles, since their size and shape can directly affect their biological behavior. In this study, we propose a novel approach for a monolayer deposition of gold and platinum nanoparticles on Si substrates suitable for medium energy ion scattering (MEIS) analysis. The samples were prepared using poly(ethylene glycol) 6000 (PEG 6000) as a coating agent for the substrates, utilizing a spin coater-a versatile, cost-effective, and practical technique. The samples were first analyzed with the RBS technique to assess the adhesion and the overlapping of the nanoparticles in the substrates coated with PEG 6000 and then characterized through the MEIS technique. The analysis through MEIS allowed the determination of the shape, size, and coverage area of the nanoparticles. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were also performed on the samples, with the results corroborating the findings of the MEIS experiment. Together, the data obtained with microscopy and the MEIS technique suggests the effectiveness of the method in the production of monolayer samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Recent Period Turkish Studies / Yakın Dönem Türkiye Araştırmaları is the property of Recent Period Turkish Studies / Yakin Donem Turkiye Arastirmalari and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A 16 MHz electrostatic beam chopper is implemented at the Uppsala University ToF-MEIS system to complement the 4 MHz sinusoidal scanning, refining the resolution without drift-tube bunching. The system is benchmarked with H 2 +, He+, and Ne+ ions in transmission and backscattering geometries. The estimated true pulse duration for 60 keV He+ is 34 ps while the direct beam impinging on the detector resulted in measured pulse widths of 295 ps for He ions and 481 ps for Ne ions. In backscattering geometries, ions impinging on the target yield measured pulse durations of 459 ns for H ions, 550 ps for He ions and 810 ps for Ne ions and lead to energy resolution measurements of 2.4 keV (100 keV H), 0.9 keV (60 keV He), and 2.4 keV (160 keV Ne). Discussions cover straggling effects on achievable energy resolution and how to obtain estimates of the true duration of the ion pulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • On Cu treatment with tolyltriazole/ n -heptane at high temperature, alayer of Cu nanoparticles surrounded by Cu x TTA y forms. • After short treatment near surface Cu is predominantly Cu(II); after longer treatment it is predominantly Cu(I). • On a bronze substrate, a similar layer is formed with very little Sn involvement. • On a brass surface, a thick Zn x TTA y layer forms over a mainly Cu x TTA y layer; Zn is depleted from the surface region. Tolyltriazole (TTAH) is used industrially as a corrosion inhibitor for copper alloys, particularly in organic media. In this study, the morphology and chemistry of the layer formed by TTAH on copper and copper alloys under realistic conditions is investigated, with focus on the effects due to the presence of tin or zinc in the substrates. A combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), medium energy ion scattering (MEIS), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has been used. It was found that an inhomogeneous metal–organic layer forms on the surface of copper specimens, likely in the form of copper nanoparticles surrounded by Cu x TTA y complexes. This layer increases in thickness for at least 30 days. Chemically, the copper species in the layer are initially in the +2 oxidation state, but after longer exposure to TTAH, mostly Cu(I) is observed. In bronze samples, tin does not appear to segregate to the surface layer. In brass samples, zinc is depleted from the bulk and forms a thicker Zn x TTA y layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundHomeodomain (HD) transcription factor (TF) NKX2-1 critical for the regional specification of the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) as well as promoting the GABAergic and cholinergic neuron fates via the induction of TFs such as LHX6 and LHX8. NKX2-1 defines MGE regional identity in large part through transcriptional repression, while specification and maturation of GABAergic and cholinergic fates is mediated in part by transcriptional activation via TFs such as LHX6 and LHX8. Here we analyze the signaling and TF pathways, downstream of NKX2-1, required for GABAergic and cholinergic neuron fate maturation.MethodsDifferential ChIP-seq analysis was used to identify regulatory elements (REs) where chromatin state was sensitive to change in the Nkx2-1cKO MGE at embryonic day (E) 13.5. TF motifs in the REs were identified using RSAT. CRISPR-mediated genome editing was used to generate enhancer knockouts. Differential gene expression in these knockouts was analyzed through RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization. Functional analysis of motifs within hs623 was analyzed via site directed mutagenesis and reporter assays in primary MGE cultures.ResultsWe identified 4782 activating REs (aREs) and 6391 repressing REs (rREs) in the Nkx2-1 conditional knockout (Nkx2-1cKO) MGE. aREs are associated with basic-Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) TFs. Deletion of hs623, an intragenic Tcf12 aRE, caused a reduction of Tcf12 expression in the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) and mantle zone (MZ) of the MGE. Mutation of LHX, SOX and octamers, within hs623, caused a reduction of hs623 activity in MGE primary cultures.ConclusionsTcf12 expression in the SVZ of the MGE is mediated through aRE hs623. The activity of hs623 is dependent on LHX6, SOX and octamers. Thus, maintaining the expression of Tcf12 in the SVZ involves on TF pathways parallel and genetically downstream of NKX2-1.

Background: The mechanisms underlying the formation of complex structures such as during the outgrowth of the cochlear duct are still poorly understood., Results: We have analyzed the morphological and molecular changes associated with cochlear development in mouse mutants for the transcription factor Meis2, which show defective coiling of the cochlea. These morphological abnormalities were accompanied by the formation of ectopic and extra rows of sensory hair cells. Gene profiling of otic vesicles from Meis2 mutants revealed a dysregulation of genes that are potentially involved in Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-mediated patterning of the cochlear duct. Like in Shh mutants, Meis2 defective mice showed a loss of genes that are expressed in the apical part of the cochlear duct., Conclusions: Taken together, these data reveal that the loss of Meis2 leads to a phenotype that resembles Shh mutants, suggesting that Meis2 is instrumental for cochlear Shh signaling. The modulation of the same subset of genes provides an interesting insight into which Shh responsive genes are essential for outgrowth and patterning of the cochlear duct., (© 2024 American Association for Anatomy.)

Copyright of Tarih İncelemeleri Dergisi is the property of Tarih Incelemeleri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The effects of room temperature 200 keV Ne + ion irradiation on Ag nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in a silicon nitride film have been studied via Medium Energy Ion Scattering (MEIS), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), and the results are discussed in comparison with Monte Carlo TRI3DYN simulations. The experiment was designed to test the mechanisms controlling the room temperature irradiation-induced microstructure evolution of individual NPs and the overall system. We present an innovative MEIS approach capable of quantitatively determining Ag's content and spatial distribution in solution. The STEM observations demonstrate the nucleation of smaller Ag NPs distributed within the solute field. The TRI3DYN simulations suggest that a fraction of the solute content is reincorporated within the NPs. These results are discussed considering that room-temperature thermal diffusion processes are significantly retarded in silicon nitride substrates, which leads to an interpretation primarily based on the irradiation-induced atomic displacements that render a microstructure evolution driven by the minimization of chemical potential as an elemental thermodynamic force. Our findings are of applied interest concerning the application of ion beams to manipulate NP ensembles. [Display omitted] • Evaluation of embedded Ag NP ballistic dissociation process under ion irradiation. • Determination of the content and spatial distribution of dissociated Ag atoms. • Demonstration of the thermodynamic driving forces' role in RT irradiation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutual calibration was suggested as a method to determine the absolute thickness of ultrathin oxide films. It was motivated from the large offset values in the reported thicknesses in the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance (CCQM) pilot study P‐38 for the thickness measurement of SiO2 films on Si(100) and Si(111) substrates in 2004. Large offset values from 0.5 to 1.0 nm were reported in the thicknesses by ellipsometry, X‐ray reflectometry (XRR), medium‐energy ion scattering spectrometry (MEIS), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). However, the offset value for the thicknesses by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was close to zero (−0.013 nm). From these results, the mutual calibration method was reported for the thickness measurement of SiO2 films on Si(100) by combination of TEM and XPS. The mutual calibration method has been applied for the thickness measurements of hetero oxide films such as Al2O3 and HfO2. Recently, the effect of surface contamination was reported to be critical to the thickness measurement of HfO2 films by XPS. On the other hand, MEIS was proved to be a powerful zero offset method which is not affected by the surface contamination. As a result, the reference thicknesses in the CCQM pilot study P‐190 for the thickness measurement of HfO2 films on Si(100) substrate were determined by mutual calibration method from the average XRR data and MEIS analysis. Conclusively, the thicknesses of ultrathin oxide films can be traceably certified by mutual calibration method and most thickness measurement methods can be calibrated from the certified thicknesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meis family of transcription factors operates in Pbx-Meis-Hox regulatory network controlling development of various tissues including eye, limbs, heart, hindbrain or craniofacial skeletal elements originating from the neural crest. Although studies in mouse provide abundant information about Meis factors function in embryogenesis, little is known about their role in zebrafish., Results: We generated zebrafish lines carrying null mutations in meis1a, meis1b, meis2a, and meis2b genes. Only meis1b mutants are lethal at larval stage around 13 dpf whereas the other mutant lines are viable and fertile. We focused on development of neural crest-derived craniofacial structures such as tendons, cranial nerves, cartilage and accompanying muscles. Meis1b mutants displayed morphogenetic abnormalities in the cartilage originating from the first and second pharyngeal arches. Meckel's cartilage was shorter and wider with fused anterior symphysis and abnormal chondrocyte organization. This resulted in impaired tendons and muscle fiber connections while tenocyte development was not largely affected., Conclusions: Loss-of-function mutation in meis1b affects cartilage morphology in the lower jaw that leads to disrupted organization of muscles and tendons., (© 2024 American Association for Anatomy.)

Introduction and objectives: ISL1 serves as a biomarker of metastasis and neuroendocrine neoplasia in multiple tumors. However, the expression and relation of ISL1 to other biomarkers in prostate cancer have not been fully elucidated. Here, we characterize the expression of ISL1 and its partners in PCa and document its association to disease progression and post castration resistance neuroendocrine differentiation. Methods: The expression of ISL1 was interrogated in > 6000 primary samples from the Decipher GRID registry and 250 mCRPC samples to assess its prognostic value and relation to neuroendocrine differentiation. Results: ISL1 was highly correlated to MEIS genes and other genes related to cell motility. ISL1 down-regulation in PCa was associated with cancer progression, aggressive primary tumors, and metastatic outcome. We found that ISL1 is highly correlated to MEIS genes across multiple primary PCa and mCRPC cohorts. The expression of ISL1 and MEIS genes were significantly and inversely related to metastasis-free survival and lethal disease, and were downregulated in CRPC and hormone naïve metastatic tumors but showed upregulation in neuroendocrine tumors. Co-immunoprecipitation showed MEIS2 and ISL1 interacting with each supporting their role in modulating transcriptional regulation and nominating this complex for potential targeted therapy. Conclusions: ISL1 complex with MEIS2 serves a critical role in prostate tumor progression and its upregulation in mCRPC/NE provides a rationale for assessing the role of ISL1 and its associated protein in treatment resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meis genes have been shown to control essential processes during development of the central and peripheral nervous system. Here we have explored the roles of the Meis2 gene during vertebrate inner ear induction and the formation of the cochlea. Meis2 is expressed in several tissues required for inner ear induction and in non-sensory tissue of the cochlear duct. Global inactivation of Meis2 in the mouse leads to a severely reduced size of the otic vesicle. Tissue-specific knock outs of Meis2 reveal that its expression in the hindbrain is essential for otic vesicle formation. Inactivation of Meis2 in the inner ear itself leads to an aberrant coiling of the cochlear duct. By analyzing transcriptomes obtained from Meis2 mutants and ChIPseq analysis of an otic cell line, we define candidate target genes for Meis2 which may be directly or indirectly involved in cochlear morphogenesis. Taken together, these data show that Meis2 is essential for inner ear formation and provide an entry point to unveil the network underlying proper coiling of the cochlear duct.

Transcription factors (TFs) guide effector proteins like chromatin-modifying or -remodeling enzymes to distinct sites in the genome and thereby fulfill important early steps in translating the genome’s sequence information into the production of proteins or functional RNAs. TFs of the same family are often highly conserved in evolution, raising the question of how proteins with seemingly similar structure and DNA-binding properties can exert physiologically distinct functions or respond to context-specific extracellular cues. A good example is the TALE superclass of homeodomain-containing proteins. All TALE-homeodomain proteins share a characteristic, 63-amino acid long homeodomain and bind to similar sequence motifs. Yet, they frequently fulfill non-redundant functions even in domains of co-expression and are subject to regulation by different signaling pathways. Here we provide an overview of posttranslational modifications that are associated with murine and human TALE-homeodomain proteins and discuss their possible importance for the biology of these TFs.

The vertebrate eye is derived from the neuroepithelium, surface ectoderm, and extracellular mesenchyme. The neuroepithelium forms an optic cup in which the spatial separation of three domains is established, namely, the region of multipotent retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), the ciliary margin zone (CMZ)-which possesses both a neurogenic and nonneurogenic potential-and the optic disk (OD), the interface between the optic stalk and the neuroretina. Here, we show by genetic ablation in the developing optic cup that Meis1 and Meis2 homeobox genes function redundantly to maintain the retinal progenitor pool while they simultaneously suppress the expression of genes characteristic of CMZ and OD fates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Meis transcription factors bind regulatory regions of RPC-, CMZ-, and OD-specific genes, thus providing a mechanistic insight into the Meis-dependent gene regulatory network. Our work uncovers the essential role of Meis1 and Meis2 as regulators of cell fate competence, which organize spatial territories in the vertebrate eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cranial neural crest cells (cNCCs) originate in the anterior neural tube and populate pharyngeal arches in which they contribute to formation of bone and cartilage. This cell population also provides molecular signals for the development of tissues of non-neural crest origin, such as the tongue muscles, teeth enamel or gland epithelium. Here we show that the transcription factor Meis2 is expressed in the oral region of the first pharyngeal arch (PA1) and later in the tongue primordium. Conditional inactivation of Meis2 in cNCCs resulted in loss of Sonic hedgehog signalling in the oropharyngeal epithelium and impaired patterning of PA1 along the lateral–medial and oral–aboral axis. Failure of molecular specification of PA1, illustrated by altered expression of Hand1/2, Dlx5, Barx1, Gsc and other markers, led to hypoplastic tongue and ectopic ossification of the mandible. Meis2-mutant mice thus display craniofacial defects that are reminiscent of several human syndromes and patients with mutations in the Meis2 gene.

Abstract Background Homeodomain (HD) transcription factor (TF) NKX2–1 critical for the regional specification of the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) as well as promoting the GABAergic and cholinergic neuron fates via the induction of TFs such as LHX6 and LHX8. NKX2–1 defines MGE regional identity in large part through transcriptional repression, while specification and maturation of GABAergic and cholinergic fates is mediated in part by transcriptional activation via TFs such as LHX6 and LHX8. Here we analyze the signaling and TF pathways, downstream of NKX2–1, required for GABAergic and cholinergic neuron fate maturation. Methods Differential ChIP-seq analysis was used to identify regulatory elements (REs) where chromatin state was sensitive to change in the Nkx2–1cKO MGE at embryonic day (E) 13.5. TF motifs in the REs were identified using RSAT. CRISPR-mediated genome editing was used to generate enhancer knockouts. Differential gene expression in these knockouts was analyzed through RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization. Functional analysis of motifs within hs623 was analyzed via site directed mutagenesis and reporter assays in primary MGE cultures. Results We identified 4782 activating REs (aREs) and 6391 repressing REs (rREs) in the Nkx2–1 conditional knockout (Nkx2–1cKO) MGE. aREs are associated with basic-Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) TFs. Deletion of hs623, an intragenic Tcf12 aRE, caused a reduction of Tcf12 expression in the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) and mantle zone (MZ) of the MGE. Mutation of LHX, SOX and octamers, within hs623, caused a reduction of hs623 activity in MGE primary cultures. Conclusions Tcf12 expression in the SVZ of the MGE is mediated through aRE hs623. The activity of hs623 is dependent on LHX6, SOX and octamers. Thus, maintaining the expression of Tcf12 in the SVZ involves on TF pathways parallel and genetically downstream of NKX2–1.

Abstract Background The concerted activity of Meis and Hoxa11 transcription factors is essential for the subdivision of tetrapod limbs into proximo-distal (PD) domains; however, little is know about the evolution of this patterning mechanism. Here, we aim to study the expression of meis and hoxa11 orthologues in the median and paired rayed fins of zebrafish and in the lobed fins of the Australian lungfish. Results First, a late phase of expression of meis1.1 and hoxa11b in zebrafish dorsal and anal fins relates with segmentation of endochondral elements in proximal and distal radials. Second, our zebrafish in situ hybridization results reveal spatial and temporal changes between pectoral and pelvic fins. Third, in situ analysis of meis1, meis3 and hoxa11 genes in Neoceratodus pectoral fins identifies decoupled domains of expression along the PD axis. Conclusions Our data raise the possibility that the origin of stylopod and zeugopod lies much deeper in gnathostome evolution and that variation in meis and hoxa11 expression has played a substantial role in the transformation of appendage anatomy. Moreover, these observations provide evidence that the Meis/Hoxa11 profile considered a hallmark of stylopod/zeugopod patterning is present in Neoceratodus.

MEIS proteins are historically associated with tumorigenesis, metastasis, and invasion in cancer. MEIS and associated PBXHOX proteins may act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes in different cellular settings. Their expressions tend to be misregulated in various cancers. Bioinformatic analyses have suggested their upregulation in leukemia/lymphoma, thymoma, pancreas, glioma, and glioblastoma, and downregulation in cervical, uterine, rectum, and colon cancers. However, every cancer type includes, at least, a subtype with high MEIS expression. In addition, studies have highlighted that MEIS proteins and associated factors may function as diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers for various diseases. Herein, MEIS proteins and associated factors in tumorigenesis are discussed with recent discoveries in addition to how they could be modulated by noncoding RNAs or newly developed small-molecule MEIS inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MEIStranscription factors are key regulators ofembryonic development and cancer. Research on MEIS genes in the embryo and in stem cell systems has revealed novel and surprisingmechanisms bywhich these proteins control gene expression. This Primer summarizes recent findings aboutMEIS protein activity and regulation in development, and discusses new insights into the role ofMEIS genes in disease, focusing on the pathogenesis of solid cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medium‐energy ion scattering (MEIS) has been used for quantitative depth profiling with single atomic layer resolution to determine the composition, thickness, and interface structure of ultrathin films and nanoparticles. To assure the consistency of the MEIS analysis, an international round‐robin test (RRT) with nominally 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 7‐nm thick HfO2 films was conducted among 12 institutions. The measurements were performed at each participating laboratory under their own conditions, and the collected data were analyzed. For the data analysis, the Moliere potential, the stopping and range of ions in matter (SRIM) 95 and new fitted electronic stopping power and the Chu straggling were used. For analyzing the MEIS data from the magnetic sector and electrostatic analyzers, the neutralization corrections of Marion and Young for 100‐keV H+ and He+ ions and of Armstrong for 400‐ to 500‐keV He+ ions were used. The standard deviations were 5.3% for the composition, 15.3% for the thickness, and 13.3% for the Hf content, and they were improved to 7.3%, 4.5%, and 7.0% by using refitted electronic stopping powers based on the experimental data. Hence, this study suggests that correct electronic stopping powers are critical for quantitative MEIS analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of retinoic acid (RA) during limb development is still debated, as loss and gain of function studies led to opposite conclusions. With regard to limb initiation, genetic studies demonstrated that activation of FGF10 signaling is required for the emergence of limb buds from the trunk, with Tbx5 and RA signaling acting upstream in the forelimb field, whereas Tbx4 and Pitx1 act upstream in the hindlimb field. Early studies in chick embryos suggested that RA as well as Meis1 and Meis2 (Meis1/2) are required for subsequent proximodistal patterning of both forelimbs and hindlimbs, with RA diffusing from the trunk, functioning to activate Meis1/2 specifically in the proximal limb bud mesoderm. However, genetic loss of RA signaling does not result in loss of limb Meis1/2 expression and limb patterning is normal, although Meis1/2 expression is reduced in trunk somitic mesoderm. More recent studies demonstrated that global genetic loss of Meis1/2 results in a somite defect and failure of limb bud initiation. Other new studies reported that conditional genetic loss of Meis1/2 in the limb results in proximodistal patterning defects, and distal FGF8 signaling represses Meis1/2 to constrain its expression to the proximal limb. In this review, we hypothesize that RA and Meis1/2 both function in the trunk to initiate forelimb bud initiation, but that limb Meis1/2 expression is activated proximally by a factor other than RA and repressed distally by FGF8 to generate proximodistal patterning.

In this large, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international trial, pregnant women at risk for preterm birth (PTB) between 16-36 weeks gestational age were randomized to an intramuscular weekly injection of either 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) or placebo. There was no difference in rates of PTB or neonatal morbidity between these two groups. In comparison to the Meis trial published in 2003, the findings of the PROLONG trial question the use of intramuscular 17P injection as the cornerstone of PTB prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper focuses on the investigation of Al 2 O 3 /4H-SiC dielectric interface upon annealing, its consequent structural modifications, and the link to electrical properties. For this purpose, the test structures are prepared by depositing Al 2 O 3 , using atomic layer deposition (ALD), on low doped n-type 4H-SiC epitaxial layers. The structures are annealed from 300 °C to 1100 °C for different time duration (from 5 to 60 mins) and ambient such as, low vacuum (10 −1 Torr), N 2 , and N 2 O. The structural studies on these samples are conducted using synchrotron-based high resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS), lab-based XPS, time of flight elastic recoil detection analysis (ToF-ERDA), and time of flight medium energy ion scattering (ToF-MEIS). The electrical response of capacitive structures is monitored through capacitance voltage (CV) measurements for as-deposited and annealed structures. It is found that the annealing at high temperatures, such as 1100 °C, and in N 2 or N 2 O environment, improves the dielectric properties due to the introduction of a thin layer of about 1 nm stable SiO 2 between the Al 2 O 3 and 4H-SiC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an analysis of the widths of the blocking dips obtained in MEIS ion blocking experiments of two LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 heterostructures differing in their LaAlO 3 layer thicknesses. In the LaAlO 3 layers, the observed blocking dips are larger than expected. This enlargement is the result of the superposition of individual dips at slightly different angular positions revealing a local disorder in the atomic alignment, i.e., layer buckling. By contrast, in the SrTiO 3 substrate, just below the interface, the obtained blocking dips are thinner than expected. This thinning indicates that the blocking atoms stand at a larger distance from the scattering center than expected. This is attributed to an accumulation of Sr vacancies at the layer/substrate interface which induces lattice distortions shifting the atoms off the scattering plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During early development, the heart tube grows by progressive addition of progenitor cells to the arterial and venous poles. These cardiac progenitor cells, originally identified in 2001, are located in the splanchnic mesoderm in a region termed the second heart field (SHF). Since its discovery, our view of heart development has been refined and it is well established that perturbation in the addition of SHF cells results in a spectrum of congenital heart defects. We have previously shown that anterior Hox genes, including Hoxb1, Hoxa1 and Hoxa3, are expressed in distinct subdomains of the SHF that contribute to atrial and subpulmonary myocardium. It is well known that Hox proteins exert their function through interaction with members of the TALE family, including Pbx and Meis factors. The expression profile of Pbx and Meis factors overlaps with that of anterior Hox factors in the embryonic heart, and recent data suggest that they may interact together during cardiac development. This review aims to bring together recent findings in vertebrates that strongly suggest an important function for Hox, Pbx and Meis factors in heart development and disease.

We seek to stablish the importance and attention that is being paid today to emotional education in high educational institutions: it's worth for life and the student's formation, for their personal and professional success. Also the effort that has been made in the educational institutions to empower these set of competences. In the same way we are interested in the perception of social abilities that is reaching the academic and professional social agents. Aside all of this, we'll determine the origin of emotional intelligence as a concept and the evolution of the academic concept of intelligence, from the times in which it was determined by the mastering of academic subjects, to those characterized by IC and emotional intelligence tests. This way, we could be able to see what has been the criteria employed for the measurement of human intellect and compare them, so we can ask ourselves effectively about the degree of our own, today's ideas in the subject. Having a clearer idea about the global and historical evolutions in this field, we'll have a better position from which to judge the quality and quantity of work aimed to the measurement of both de Intellectual Capacity and the interaction abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Comunicación 'Vivat Academia' is the property of Facultad de Ciencias de las Informacion de la Universidad Complutense (Espana) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The High-k Metal Gate (HKMG) film stack, introduced since 32 nm node of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, is one major case where composition determination is mandatory. Parallel Angle-Resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (pARXPS) allows to perform high resolution chemical depth profiling characterization of advanced transistor technology gate stack. By applying the maximum entropy concept to the pARXPS measurements, it is possible to obtain depth profiling information. Although, the capability of this technique has been widely discussed in the past few years, we propose here to validate the pARXPS depth profiling technique using Medium Energy Ion Scattering (MEIS), another high resolution chemical depth profiling characterization technique. Comparison between pARXPS and MEIS measurements allowed us to validate the pARXPS depth profiling technique and to determine with accuracy the composition of HKMG HfON/SiON stack from the 14 nm node technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Meis1/2/3 are differentially expressed in prostate cancers. • Differential expression of MEIS content correlates with prostate cancer viability post MEISi treatments in vitro. • Newly developed MEIS inhibitor could able to reduce the expression of MEIS associated genes and able to lower prostate cancer viability. • MEISi increases PCa cell ROS content and apoptosis. • Long term exposure to MEISi elevate MEIS1/2/3 protein content in PCa cells. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer in males. Understanding the molecular mechanism and investigation of novel ways to block PCa growth or metastasis are vital and a medical necessity. In this study, we examined differential expression of MEIS1/2/3 and its associated factors in PCa cell lines. MEIS1/2/3 content, reactive oxygen species, and cell cycle status were analyzed in PCa cells post MEIS inhibitor (MEISi) treatments, which is developed in our laboratory as a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor. A correlation was detected between MEIS content and MEISi IC50 values of PCa cells. MEISi decreased the viability of PC-3, DU145, 22Rv-1 and LNCaP cells, and significantly increased apoptosis in parallel with the increased cellular ROS content. The efficacy of MEISi was shown to positively correlate with the levels of MEIS1/2/3 proteins and the long term exposure to MEISi elevated MEIS1/2/3 protein content in PCa cells. Our findings suggest that MEISi could be used to target PCa with high MEIS expression in order to reduce PCa viability and growth; however, more research is needed before this can be translated into clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hox genes are major regulators of embryonic development. One of their most conserved functions is to coordinate the formation of specific body structures along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis in Bilateria. This architectural role was at the basis of several morphological innovations across bilaterian evolution. In this review, we traced the origin of the Hox patterning system by considering the partnership with PBC and Meis proteins. PBC and Meis belong to the TALE-class of homeodomain-containing transcription factors and act as generic cofactors of Hox proteins for AP axis patterning in Bilateria. Recent data indicate that Hox proteins acquired the ability to interact with their TALE partners in the last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria. These interactions relied initially on a short peptide motif called hexapeptide (HX), which is present in Hox and non-Hox protein families. Remarkably, Hox proteins can also recruit the TALE cofactors by using specific PBC Interaction Motifs (SPIMs). We describe how a functional Hox/TALE patterning system emerged in eumetazoans through the acquisition of SPIMs. We anticipate that interaction flexibility could be found in other patterning systems, being at the heart of the astonishing morphological diversity observed in the animal kingdom.

The high-k metal gate (HKMG) film stacks introduced because 32 nm node of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is one major case where composition determination is mandatory. In this work, two high-resolution chemical depth profiling characterization techniques, the parallel angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (pARXPS) and the medium energy ion scattering (MEIS), are used to determine with accuracy the composition of HfON/SiON (high-k/interfacial layer) stack from the 14 nm node technology. The pARXPS measurements reveal that the nitrogen distribution presents a gradient toward the Si substrate, and the MEIS results show that there is no interfacial HfSiON layer between the HfON and the SiON layers. Moreover, these two techniques show that the HfON layer is sub-stoichiometric. The combination of the information obtained from both pARXPS and MEIS was actually found very valuable to determine undoubtedly the chemical profile. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tungsten enriched surface layers in two fusion-relevant EUROFER steel model samples, consisting of an iron–tungsten mixture exposed to sputtering by deuterium ions, were studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and medium energy ion scattering. Exposure conditions were the same for the two samples and the total amount of tungsten atoms per unit area in the enriched layers were similar (2 · 10 15 and 2.4 · 10 15 atoms/cm 2 respectively), despite slightly different initial atomic compositions. A depth profile featuring exponential decrease in tungsten content towards higher depths with 10–20 at.% of tungsten at the surface and a decay constant between 0.05 and 0.08 Å −1 was indicated in one sample, whereas only the total areal density of tungsten atoms was measured in the other. In addition, two different beams, iodine and chlorine, were employed for elastic recoil detection analysis of the deposited layer on a polished graphite plate from a test limiter in the TEXTOR tokamak following experiments with tungsten hexafluoride injection. The chlorine beam was preferred for tungsten analysis, mainly because it (as opposed to the iodine beam) does not give rise to problems with overlap of forward scattered beam particles and recoiled tungsten in the spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins play a pivotal role in silencing developmental genes and help to maintain various stem and precursor cells and regulate their differentiation. PcG factors also regulate dynamic and complex regional specification, particularly in mammals, but this activity is mechanistically not well understood. In this study, we focused on proximal-distal (PD) patterning of the mouse forelimb bud to elucidate how PcG factors contribute to a regional specification process that depends on developmental signals. Depletion of the RING1 proteins RING1A (RING1) and RING1B (RNF2), which are essential components of Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), led to severe defects in forelimb formation along the PD axis. We show that preferential defects in early distal specification in Ring1A/B-deficient forelimb buds accompany failures in the repression of proximal signal circuitry bound by RING1B, including Meis1/2, and the activation of distal signal circuitry in the prospective distal region. Additional deletion of Meis2 induced partial restoration of the distal gene expression and limb formation seen in the Ring1A/B-deficient mice, suggesting a crucial role for RING1-dependent repression of Meis2 and likely also Meis1 for distal specification. We suggest that the RING1-MEIS1/2 axis is regulated by early PD signals and contributes to the initiation or maintenance of the distal signal circuitry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural properties of ferroelectric (Ba,Sr)TiO 3 films and the electrical parameters of the tunable capacitors on their base were investigated before and after an annealing in oxygen atmosphere at different temperatures. The noticeable impact of the annealing operation on structure properties of the films and microwave parameters of the capacitors was observed at the annealing temperatures higher than the deposition one. The effective suppression of a capacitance slow relaxation effect was observed for all annealing temperatures investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrodynamic stability of a two-dimensional steady thermocapillary flow under weightlessness in a high-Prandtl number liquid bridge is studied by means of three-dimensional numerical modeling for a wide range of aspect ratios. We suggest an explanation of the findings of a series of microgravity experiments on Marangoni convection in liquid bridges. Stability of the flow with heat transfer through the interface, modeled by the classical Fourier law, is compared with the stability of the same system under adiabatic conditions. Cooling the interface may significantly shift the threshold of hydrothermal instability as soon as the Biot number deviates from zero. It may also affect the structure of the basic Marangoni flow and the mode of the supercritical flow. We demonstrate that the heat loss has a destabilizing effect for the aspect ratios (ratio of radius to height) below 2.4 (with the exception of a region between 1.6 and 1.8), and for the longer liquid bridges the prevailing effect is stabilizing. The heat transfer coefficient as a function of the length of the liquid zone is theoretically calculated using a model of heat transport for laminar forced convection. Comparison of the results of the modeling with the experimental data shows that an incorrect assessment of the heat transfer may lead to wrong conclusions concerning both the critical parameters of the flow and its structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hox genes are major regulators of embryonic development. One of their most conserved functions is to coordinate the formation of specific body structures along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis in Bilateria. This architectural role was at the basis of several morphological innovations across bilaterian evolution. In this review, we traced the origin of the Hox patterning system by considering the partnership with PBC and Meis proteins. PBC and Meis belong to the TALE-class of homeodomain-containing transcription factors and act as generic cofactors of Hox proteins for AP axis patterning in Bilateria. Recent data indicate that Hox proteins acquired the ability to interact with their TALE partners in the last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria. These interactions relied initially on a short peptide motif called hexapeptide (HX), which is present in Hox and non-Hox protein families. Remarkably, Hox proteins can also recruit the TALE cofactors by using specific PBC Interaction Motifs (SPIMs).We describe how a functional Hox/TALE patterning system emerged in eumetazoans through the acquisition of SPIMs. We anticipate that interaction flexibility could be found in other patterning systems, being at the heart of the astonishing morphological diversity observed in the animal kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the effect of high temperature annealing on the chemical and electronic structure of technologically relevant TiN/LaO x /HfSiON/SiON/Si gate stacks. Using medium energy ion scattering from the backside of the samples, a non-destructive compositional depth profile of La has been obtained, revealing the lanthanum diffusion in the SiON interface layer upon annealing. To complement this analysis, hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation has been performed to investigate the chemical and electronic structure of the gate stacks. The results show clear changes in the Hf and Ti core level energy positions with respect to Si bulk, with changes in the thickness of the LaO x capping layer. We infer that La diffusion generates an internal electrical field at the La-silicate interface between HfSiON and SiON, and that its strength increases with the increase of LaO x thickness. These findings support the band alignment model based on a La-induced interfacial dipole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we report the application of a suitable methodology to study the morphology, structure and composition of core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) systems with polydispersity in the shell thickness, with subnanometer resolution and good sampling. Through the combination of Medium Energy Ion Scattering with Transmission Electron Microscopy, we perform a systematic investigation on core@shell Au@Ag NPs synthesized by an original wet chemical method. For samples synthesized with baths of different AgNO 3 concentrations, the present approach allowed us to determine the NP's Ag shell thicknesses distribution of about a few nanometers around the Au core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is part of Subvolume A of Volume 45 'Physics of Solid Surfaces' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group III 'Condensed Matter'. It contains an overview of the medium-energy ion scattering technique used in surface layer analysis. Parent documents: SpringerMaterials Volume III/45A General introduction to Volume III/45A [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]