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Huang, Z-H, Ma, CZ-H, Wang, L-K, Wang, X-Y, Fu, S-N, and Zheng, Y-P. Real-time visual biofeedback via wearable ultrasound imaging can enhance the muscle contraction training outcome of young adults. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 941-947, 2022-Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) can serve as visual biofeedback to train deep muscle contraction in clinical rehabilitative settings. However, its effectiveness in resistance training in sports/fitness fields remains unexplored. This article introduced a newly developed wearable RUSI system that provided visual biofeedback of muscle thickening and movement and reported its effectiveness in improving the training outcomes of muscle thickness change (%) during dynamic contraction. Twenty-five healthy young men participated and performed pec fly exercise both with and without RUSI biofeedback. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the reliability of the measurements and the immediate effects of (a) RUSI biofeedback of muscle contraction and (b) training intensity (50 vs. 80% of 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) on the pectoralis major (PMaj) thickness change measured by ultrasound images. In addition to significantly high inter-contraction reliability (ICC3,10.97), we observed significantly increased PMaj thickness change for both training intensities upon receiving biofeedback in subjects, compared with without biofeedback (p0.001). We also observed significantly larger PMaj thickness change at 80% of 1RM compared with 50% of 1RM (p = 0.023). The provision of visual biofeedback using RUSI significantly enlarged the magnitude of PMaj thickness change during pec fly exercises, potentially indicating that RUSI biofeedback could improve the ability of targeted muscle contraction of PMaj in healthy young adults. To our knowledge, this study has pioneered in applying RUSI as a form of biofeedback during weight training and observed positive effectiveness. Future iterations of the technique will benefit more subject groups, such as athletes and patients with neuromuscular disorders.

Epigenetic mutations caused by pollutants are possibly linked to many diseases. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the most representative air pollutants and has aroused wide concern because of its strong carcinogenicity. The reproductive toxicity induced by BaP has been identified, but little is known about the characteristics of the methylation changes induced by BaP. In this study, a methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing method was used to detect the methylation of sperm DNA of rats exposed to BaP. Compared with the respective genes in normal rats, there were 3227 hypomethylated genes and 828 hypermethylated genes after BaP exposure. Gene ontology enrichment analysis reported that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were enriched in the localization, single-multicellular organism process and plasma membrane. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the DMGs were significantly enriched in the Ras signalling pathway, Rap1 signalling pathway, pancreatic secretion and neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction. DisGeNET disease spectrum analysis showed that DMGs were associated with infertility and certain genetic diseases. Further research needs to be done to explore whether these abnormal methylation are transgenerational.

In recent years, Phalaenopsis has become a very popular potted flower for the international flower market. The aim of this work was to build a tissue-specific transcriptome to obtain genomic data about the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Phalaenopsis, compare gene expression levels in different colored Phalaenopsis plants, and to ultimately analyze the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in Phalaenopsis. Illumina sequencing technology obtained 888749 and 1057077 sequencing contigs in red and yellow Phalaenopsis buds, respectively. De novo assemblies yielded 51771 unigenes, and 801 differentially expressed genes were obtained using the reads. These included 358 up-regulated and 443 down-regulated genes in the yellow bud compared with the red bud. Many of the identified differentially expressed genes were related to the biosynthesis of anthocyanins. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed expression levels of key genes and transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in Phalaenopsis were the same as in our dataset. Our findings allowed the deduction of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in Phalaenopsis.

To explore the behavioral changes and the expressions of the A1 receptor (A1R) and balanced nucleoside transporter-1 (ENT1) in the brain of epileptic rats after activating the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-ARE signaling pathway.Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group, epilepsy group, and t-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) group, with 10 rats in each group. Lithium-pilocarpine induced epilepsy model in rats was established. The first epileptic latency and seizure frequency within 1 hour were observed in each group using the Racine scoring system. HE (Hematoxylin and Eosin) staining was used to observe the pathological lesions in the brain tissue of each group. The expressions of A1R, ENT1, and relative genes in Nrf2-ARE pathway in rat hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Compared with rats in epileptic group, the first seizure latency was prolonged and the seizure frequency decreased in tBHQ group (p0.05). The degree of brain lesions in tHBQ group was lighter than that of epilepsy group. ENT1 expression in rat hippocampus of epileptic group was significantly upregulated than that of normal control group and tBHQ group. Besides, the protein levels of A1R, Nrf2, HO-1, and ARE in rat hippocampus of epilepsy group markedly decreased compared with those of normal control group. However, protein expressions of A1R, Nrf2, HO-1, and ARE proteins in rat hippocampus of tBHQ group were markedly upregulated.Activation of the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway can reduce the pathological damage of rat hippocampal neurons, prolong the latency of seizures, and reduce the degree of epileptic seizure in rats.

Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs) are recognized to be involved in many pathophysiological processes caused by hyperglycemia. We performed experiments to evaluate the effects of fasudil, the Rho/ROCK inhibitor, on preventing hepatic fibrosis in type 1 diabetic rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control (NC), untreated diabetic (DM), low-dose fasudil-treated (L-Fas), high-dose fasudil-treated (H-Fas) and captopril-treated (Cap) groups. Streptozotocin was injected to establish the diabetes model. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome staining were used for histological observations. The expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), collagen type Iα (Coll α1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and ROCK-1 were measured to investigate the mechanisms involved in fibrosis.The DM group exhibited hepatic fibrosis with remarkable liver damage and inflammation reaction by the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Treatment with fasudil or captopril suppressed not only the inflammation reaction but also the accumulation of the extracellular matrix due to the downregulation of TGF-β1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1, which induces the amelioration of the liver fibrosis with diabetes. Furthermore, fasudil significantly attenuated the activation of ROCK-1 and NF-κB in the livers of diabetic rats.These results suggest that fasudil exert anti-inflammation actions and markedly decrease the accumulation of extracellular matrix. Fasudil is a good candidate agent for treating hepatic fibrosis in diabetes.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the partition-defective 3 protein (Par3) regulates cervical carcinoma growth and metastasis.Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to analyze the expression of Par3 protein in samples from 89 cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) patients among Uyghur women. The specific short hairpin (shRNA) vector as well as eu- karyotic expression vector of PARD3 was transfected into SiHa cell lines. The variation of migration and invasion after transfection was determined using Transwell assays, cell cycle, and apoptosis were assayed by flow cytometry, respectively.The incidence of CSCC was associated with reduced expression of Par3. Downregulation of Par3 was significantly associated with more advanced tumors (i.e., higher histological grade, lymph node involvement, and higher tumor stages) (p0.05 for all). Lost expression of Par3 promotes prolif- eration, inhibits apoptosis, and enhances migration and invasion. Loss of Par3 induces MMP9 expression and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) related genes (N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and β-catenin) expression changed in SiHa cells.The reduced Par3 expression in cervical cancer indicates tumor-suppressive properties of Par3 that may be a marker of poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients, and the molecular determinants of epithelial polarity which have tumorigenesis enhancing impact, might through EMT.

Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging modality that provides quantitative flow information with high spatial and temporal resolution. However, it is only sensitive to the flow velocity vector parallel to the incident beam. To calculate the absolute velocity, it is necessary to obtain the angle between the incident beam and flow field. In this paper, we describe a practical method to measure the Doppler angle based on the structural information of blood vessels extracted from spectral domain OCT images. In this method, a normal sectional scan of the vessel is performed where the probe beam is perpendicular to the vessel. Next, the axial diameter (Z direction) of the vessel (D

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in pepper is a better way to produce hybrid seeds compared to manual production. We used the two sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers (CRF-SCAR and CMS-SCAR130) in CMS pepper, to identify the genotype. We assembled two CMS yellow bud mutants (YBM; YBM12-A and YBM12-B). This mutation in leaf color is controlled by a single dominant nuclear gene. The aim was to create a new hybrid seed production method that reduces the costs and increases F1 hybrid seed purity. The results suggest that the CRF-SCAR and CMS-SCAR130 markers can be used together in multiple generations to screen for restorer or maintainer genes. We found the marker linked to the restorer gene (Rf) in the C-line and F1 hybrids, as well as partially in the F2 generation, whereas it was not found in the sterile YBM12-A or the maintainer line YBM12-B. In the F2 population, sterility and fertility segregated at a 3:1 ratio based on the CRF-SCAR marker. A 130 bp fragment was produced in the YBM12-A, F1, and F2 populations, suggesting that these lines contained sterile cytoplasm. A 140 bp fragment present in the YBM12-B and C-line indicated that these lines contained normal cytoplasm. In addition, we identified some morphological characters distinguishing sterile and fertile buds and flowers that may be linked to the sterility gene. If more restorer lines are identified, CMS expressing the YBM trait can be used in hybrid seed production.

Summary This paper reports on the morphological variations of six Schizothoracinae species, including Aspiorhynchus laticeps, Schizothorax biddulphi, Schizothorax eurystomus, Schizothorax barbatus, Schizothorax intermedia, and Diptychus maculatus, the first reference to the morphological characters of these species. Based on the results from the cluster analysis, S. biddulphi and S. eurystomus are the most morphologically similar, with their Euclidean distances within 0.0167; their morphological similarity to S. intermedia, A. laticeps, and D. maculatus is gradually reduced, with an increase in the Euclidean distance from 0.0317 to 0.5765.

To enhance the understanding of Takayasu's arteritis with pulmonary vascular involvement through the analyses on clinical features, imaging findings, misdiagnoses and treatments.A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical records of patients diagnosed as Takayasu's arteritis with pulmonary vascular involvement admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2004 to December 2014.In recent 10 years, there were 90 patients diagnosed as Takayasu's arteritis in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, 33 of them were involved with pulmonary arterial, which account for 36.7%, while 12 cases were involved with pulmonary arteries alone, which account for 13.3% of all. Among the 33 patients, dyspnea (23 cases, 69.7%) was the most common symptom, followed by hemoptysis (19 cases, 57.6%) and Vascular murmur (23 cases, 69.7%), pleural effusion (8 cases, 24.2%), unequal blood pressure of upper limbs (4 cases, 12.1%) were the main signs. The diagnostic time varied significantly, from 1 month to 10 years. 21 patients were misdiagnosed and the misdiagnosis rate was 63.6%.Takayasu's arteritis with pulmonary vascular involvement is not rare. The clinical manifestation of Takayasu's arteritis is unspecific and misdiagnosis rate is relatively high. Therefore, we should raise awareness of Takayasu's arteritis and detailed clinical examination will be helpful to reduce the misdiagnosis rate.

To investigate the efficiency of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) to treat severe the lower limbs ischemia caused by thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO).From April 2007 to December 2014, a total of 64 patients with TAO (80 affected limbs) received APBSCT at our hospital. The treatment effect was evaluated by subjective indicators including pains and cold sensation of the affected limbs, combined with objective indicators including claudication distance, ankle brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) and skin temperature.Five patients (with 5 affected limbs) suffered from necrosis below the middle of the leg 4 weeks after transplantation and received amputation. For the remaining 59 patients (75 affected limbs), pain and cold sensation of the affected limbs were improved with varying extent 3 months after transplantation; there were statistically significant differences in pain score and cold sensation score of the affected limbs before and after APBSCT (p0.05). Claudication distance, ABI, TcPO2 and skin temperature were also improved. Claudication distance increased from 85.69 m ± 43.48 m to 36.5 ± 9.88 mmHg, and the skin temperature of the lower limbs increased from 27.70 °C ± 0.53 °C to 33.49 °C ± 0.60 °C. All four indicators were considerably improved after APBSCT (p0.05). Arteriography was performed for 75 affected limbs in 59 patients 6 months after transplantation and found that new collateral vessels were formed in the affected limbs. No patients were complicated by retinal hyperplasia, malignant tumors, myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction during the follow-up examinations; no patients underwent symptom aggravation during 9-48 month follow-up (average, 28.5 months).APBSCT is an easy, safe and reliable treatment for ischemia of lower limbs, especially for those with poor distal arterial outflow tract in the lower limbs that do not permit bridging.

The average residual stress in electroplated Cu film on Fe substrate was measured in situ by cantilever beam test. The origin and the distribution of the residual stress in Cu film were investigated. The results show that the average residual stress and the distributed residual stress in Cu film were tensile stress and decrease with the increase of film thickness. The interfacial stress in Cu film is very large and the growth stress is very small. The average residual stress in Cu film, which was caused by the interfacial stress, was calculated roughly using a modified Thomas–Feimi–Dirac electron theory (TFDC). The experimental value of the average residual stress and the theoretical value were both tensile stress and were about equal. It shows that the theoretical calculation model of residual stress is of accuracy.

The effects of Ti-doping on the decomposition behavior, crystal structure, sintering behavior and dielectric properties have been investigated for the Ti-doped BiFeO3 ceramics derived from molten salt method. XRD reveals the almost pure phase BiFeO3 is synthesized in the Ti-doped BiFeO3 powders. And the particle size of Ti-doped BiFeO3 powers obviously decreases with the increase of Ti content. However, the sintering temperature elevates significantly after Ti-doping. The DC resistivity can enhance by up to four orders of magnitude (from 104 to 108 Ωm) with only 5 at% Ti doping. But the dielectric constant is suppressed from 104 to 102, and dielectric loss obviously reduces with a small amount of Ti doping. The variation of dielectric properties has been discussed from the decomposition of BiFeO3 phase. The Ti-doping can effectively suppress the decomposition reaction in Ti-doped BiFeO3 ceramics.

BiFeO3 powder was synthesized in NaCl media at temperature range from 700 to 800 °C, using Bi2O3 and Fe2O3 as raw materials. Effects of calcining temperature and salt ratios on the synthesis of BiFeO3 powder had been investigated. It was found that NaCl effectively promoted the formation of BiFeO3. Almost pure BiFeO3 phase with a very small amount of Bi2Fe4O9 phase was synthesized at 750 °C with salt weight ratios of 1:1. A large amount of BiFeO3 phase decomposed to Bi2Fe4O9 and Bi25FeO39 phase when the temperature was up to 800 °C. In the present method, the calcining temperature played an important role in the formation of BiFeO3 phase. BiFeO3 ceramics derived from molten salt method were prepared and exhibited the higher dielectric constant.

Thymosin-α1 (TA1) has been shown to be effective treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study investigated the immune response after TA1 monotherapy in 25 HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients randomized to receive either 1.6 mg active TA1 (group A), 1.6 mg recombinant TA1 (group B) or 3.2 mg recombinant TA1 (group C) monotherapy for 52 weeks. The percentages of T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokine-producing T-cells (interleukin-2 [IL-2], interferon-γ [IFN-γ], tumour necrosis factor-α) and Th2 cytokine-producing T-cells (IL-4) were analysed using flow cytometry. In all patients treated with TA1, cytokine levels and the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells producing these cytokines were significantly increased, compared with baseline and healthy controls. The proportions of each cytokine-producing cell increased gradually over time and were restored to normal levels, and proportions of IFN-γ and IL-4-producing cells reached higher levels than in normal (healthy) controls. The results showed that treatment with TA1 increased cytokine production, especially IFN-γ, and higher-dose TA1 exhibited better efficacy against HBV, compared with other treatments studied.

Summary Netherton's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations of the SPINK5 gene, which encodes the lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) protein. We observed microstructural changes and detected LEKTI activity and SPINK5 gene mutation in three Chinese patients with Netherton's syndrome. Decreased LEKTI activity was found in the skin of patients. Lamellar bodies and foci of electron-dense material were detected in the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum. A novel homozygous splicing mutation of 1430 + 2 TG was found in the SPINK5 gene in one proband. No mutation was found in the other family.

A broadband integral-equation-based domain decomposition method (DDM) using augmented equivalence principle algorithm (A-EPA) is introduced for solving large scale electromagnetic scattering, circuits, and Casimir force problems. The root cause of the low frequency breakdown problem of EPA algorithm without augmentation technique is analyzed. Numerical examples validate the method for various applications in scattering, circuits, and Casimir force calculations.

Summary Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a prevalent form of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Although numerous studies in white populations suggest that mutations in the TP53 gene play an important role in the development of BCC, it is not clear whether this is also the case in East Asian populations such as in China. Aim To investigate the frequency and the features of TP53 mutation in sporadic BCC in a Chinese population. Methods In total, 30 patients with sporadic BCC, who had previously taken part in a study on PTCH1 mutations, were enrolled. BCC and control cells were obtained by laser-capture microdissection, and DNA was amplified and sequenced for analysis of TP53 mutations. Results In the 30 BCC samples, 6 TP53 point mutations were found (frequency of 20%), and 4 of these 6 mutations had ultraviolet (UV)-specific alterations. Combining these results with those of the previous study on PTCH1 mutations, we found that two patients with had three types of genetic alterations (each had two PTCH1 mutations and one TP53 point mutation). A further two patients each had one PTCH1 mutation and one UV signature TP53 mutation. In addition, the total number of UV-specific mutations of PTCH1 and TP53 accounted for 20% of the total patient group. Conclusions The incidence of TP53 mutation in BCC in our Chinese subjects was lower than that reported for white populations. Many of the patients carried mutations of other genes in addition to of TP53. The majority of TP53 mutations were UV-induced specific alterations. However, the results of the two studies on TP53 and PTCH1 indicated that the incidence of UV-specific mutations is much lower in Chinese than in white populations.

Electroless plating of copper on poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films modified by NH3 plasma treatment and surface graft copolymerization with aniline had been carried out. For the electroless plating of copper, the polyaniline (PANI)-grafted PTFE (PANI-g-PTFE) surface, with the PANI in its fully reduced leucoemeraldine form, was activated directly in the Pd(NO3)2 acid solution in the absence of prior sensitization by SnCl2. The compositions and chemical states of the PTFE surfaces during each stage of the surface modification, surface activation, and electroless deposition processes were studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The adhesion strength of the electroless deposited copper on the PANI-g-PTFE surface exhibited a strong dependence on the graft concentration of PANI. A T-peel adhesion strength of about 5 N/cm was achieved for the electrolessly deposited Cu on the PANI-g-PTFE surface (the Cu/PANI-g-PTFE assembly). The high adhesion strength of the Cu/PANI-g-PTFE assembly was attributed to the synergistic effects of strong interactions between the grafted aniline polymer and the metal (including Pd) atoms, the spatial distribution of the PANI chains in the metal matrix, and the fact that the polyaniline chains were covalently tethered on the PTFE surface. XPS results also revealed that the Cu/PANI-g-PTFE assemblies delaminated by cohesive failure inside the PTFE film.

Auger parameter shifts of Zn and Te as a function of composition of a relatively unexplored semi-insulator ZnS 1− x Te x alloy system were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A model based on the concept of relaxation is used to explain the polarization change of this alloy system due to the existence of the two core holes left in the Auger process. To complement this theoretical model, the dielectric constants of ZnS 1− x Te x alloys as a function of composition were measured using a structure similar to a parallel plate capacitor. The Auger parameter shifts calculated from this model are in good agreement with that obtained from the XPS measurement.

The effect of γ-ray irradation on the emeraldine (EM) base form of polyaniline was investigated. The process of γ-ray, UV, and thermally-induced graft copolymerization of EM base with acrylic acid (AAc) in a number of solvents and co-solvents were compared in an attempt to prepare a water-solube EM through N-acylation. The presence of N-acylation was investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourrier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy., and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In all cases, the grapht concentration and the resulting surface conductivity were shown to be a function of the monomer concentration. The thermostability and weight loss behavior of the grapht-copolymerized EM included those that were characteristic of the EM base, the AAc polymer and the amide polymer. Some of the grapht-modified EM base samples exhibited good water solubility. In particular, the γ-ray-induced graft copolimerization of EM with AAc in N-methyl-2-pyrrolodinone (NMP)/water co-solvent readily gave rise to a water soluble, self-protonated and semi-conductive EM, which could be cast into free-standing films from an aqueous solution.

High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) measurements of the various intrinsic redox states of polyaniline (PANI), using a monochromatized Al—Kα source, were carried out. The presence of the imine, amine and positively charged nitrogen species corresponding to a particular intrinsic redox state and protonation level of the polymer was resolved quantitatively and unambiguously. The result confirmed the peak assignments of former XPS core-level studies using the lower resolution non-monochromatized Mg—Kα X-ray source. Thus, the high-resolution XPS using a monochromatized Al—Kα X-ray source is a truly unique tool for the convenient and quantitative analysis of the various intrinsic redox states of PANI.

This work focused on the studies of the high-temperature dependence of the responsivity of ZnS, ZnSTe and ZnSSe photodiodes. It was found that in general the responsivity at higher temperatures will shift to longer wavelengths because of band gap narrowing. A remarkable observation is that the near-band-edge responsivities of these diodes increase at higher temperature. We believe that this observation is attributed to the change of the density of state distribution due to lattice expansion at high temperature and a simplified model is used to illustrate this hypothesis.

The aim of this study is to reveal the underlying cause of the gradual turn-on characteristic of low Te containing ZnSTe Schottky barrier photodiodes. The results of photoresponse studies on ZnS, ZnSSe and ZnSTe diodes indicate that the Te isoelectronic trapping effect is responsible for the gradual turn-on characteristic of low Te containing ZnSTe Schottky barrier photodiodes. The results also reveal that the ZnSSe diode, having the advantage of being free of isoelectronic centers, is a more suitable choice for applications requiring high visible rejection power. It is demonstrated that highly UV sensitive responsivity with an abrupt long wavelength cutoff tailored to lie between 340–400 nm can be achieved in the ZnSSe diode system.

Al-related DX-like centers were observed in n-type Al-doped ZnS1-xTex epilayers grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on GaAs substrates. The capacitance-voltage measurement, deep-level transient spectroscopy, and photoconductivity spectroscopy revealed that the behaviors of Al donors in ZnS1-xTex were similar to the so-called DX centers in AlxGa1-xAs. The optical ionization energies (E-i) and emission barriers (E-e) for the observed two Al-related DX-like centers were determined as E-i similar to 1.0 and 2.0cV and E-e similar to 0.21 and 0.39 eV, respectively. It was also shown that the formation of Al-related DX-like centers resulted in a significantly large lattice relaxation in ZnS1-xTex. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed for the in situ study of the interactions between thermally evaporated copper atoms and conjugated electroluminescent polymer, such as poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and its soluble derivative, poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV). Quantitative changes in the C 1s and Cu 2p core-level spectra, the Cu LMM Auger line shapes, and the chemical stoichiometries of polymer–metal interfaces with progressive deposition of the copper atoms were carefully monitored. Chemical interactions had occurred between each polymer and the copper atoms, resulting in the formation of an interfacial layer of metal complexes. There appeared to be no significant migration of bulk absorbed oxygen to the polymer surface upon copper deposition unlike that observed during the deposition of metals of lower work function. Diffusion of Cu atoms into the near-surface region of the polymer was observed for PPV and MEH-PPV films. The interactions of the Cu atoms with the polymer surfaces were also compared with the results obtained for the Al/PPV and Al/MEH-PPV interfaces.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed for an in situ study of the interactions between thermally evaporated magnesium atoms and polyaniline films of various intrinsic oxidation states. Quantitative changes in the N 1s core-level spectra, the Mg 2p core-level spectra and the surface chemical stoichiometries of these films throughout the magnesium evaporation process were carefully monitored. Although the nitrogen sites appeared to be more attractive to the incoming magnesium atoms, and the emeraldine and nigraniline films underwent an apparent decrease in the intrinsic oxidation state ([N]/[NH] ratio) as a result of magnesium evaporation, there is no direct interaction between the two species. On the other hand, the adsorbed oxygen from the bulk of the polymer film played a dominant role in the interfacial interactions between the polymer and the metal.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed for the study of the physicochemical interactions at electrode/polymer interfaces involving metals of high and low work functions and thin films of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV). The changes in the C 1s core-level line shape of the polymers, the evolution of the metal core-level spectra and the changes in chemical compositions at the interfaces involving polymer coated on indium-tin oxide (ITO), sputtered ITO on polymer, and in situ evaporated magnesium (Mg) on polymer were carefully monitored. Indium of the ITO in both the ITO/polymer and polymer/ITO assemblies was found to diffuse towards the polymer at the interface. Oxygen migration was also observed at the ITO/polymer interfaces. The results obtained from in situ analysis by angle-resolved XPS of the interactions between thermally evaporated Mg and PPV and Mg and MEH-PPV indicated the formation of an interfacial layer in each case. The surface diffusion of adsorbed oxygen from the bulk of the conjugated polymer film played a dominant role in the interfacial reactions. The interfacial layer consisted of Mg oxides, Mg clusters, Mg metal and Mg-polymer complexes.

Simultaneous lamination of emeraldine base (EB) films of polyaniline (PANI) was achieved during thermally induced surface graft copolymerization with various monomers, such as N,N′-dimethyl(methacryloylethyl)ammonium propanesulfonate (DMAPS), sodium salt of styrenesulfonic acid (NaSS), 1-vinyl imidazole (VIDz) and acrylic acid (AAc). The simultaneous thermal grafting and lamination process can be carried out under atmospheric conditions, and in the complete absence of an added polymerization initiator and surface preactivation of the EB substrates. The structure and chemical composition of the graft copolymerized surfaces from the self-delaminated junction in water were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of monomer concentration, thermal grafting/lamination temperature, and the physicochemical attributes of the various monomers on the observed lamination strength were studied. The efficiency of surface graft copolymerization and the lamination strength were found to increase with increasing temperature in the temperature range of 80–120°C. Maximum lap shear adhesion strengths of greater than 350 N/cm2 and exceeding the yield strength of the substrate EB film could be readily achieved for grafting/lamination carried out in the presence of DMAPS, VIDz and AAc monomer.

Sandwiched structures that consist of ZnSTe/ZnSTe:Al/ZnSTe were fabricated by the molecular beam epitaxy technique on three GaAs substrates oriented along (100), (511), and (711), respectively, to study the thermal diffusion of Al dopant in ZnS0.986Te0.014 matrix by secondary ion mass spectroscopy depth profiling. The relative sensitivity factor of Al respect to Zn was determined to be 4.5±0.5×1019 cm−3. The Al diffusion coefficients at annealing temperature of 450 and 550 °C were found to be dependent on Al concentration. The upper and lower limits of the diffusion coefficients were obtained through a data fitting program based on Fick’s second law, the results suggest that the diffusion is anisotropic possibly due to channeling effect. The results also reveal that Al in the matrix is thermally stable at temperature as high as 300 °C and thus prove that Al is a good candidate for the n-type doping of ZnSTe alloy system in terms of thermal stability.

Adhesion of emeraldine base (EB) films of polyaniline (PANI) to plasma-pretreated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films and to copper foils were achieved via thermally induced surface graft copolymerization with concurrent lamination. The process was carried out under atmospheric conditions in the presence of pure and aqueous solutions of 1-vinyl imidazole (VIDz) or acrylic acid (AAc) and in the absence of an added polymerization initiator. The chemical composition and microstructure of the graft copolymerized surfaces from the self-delaminated junction in water and from the mechanically delaminated interfaces were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of monomer concentration and thermal grafting/lamination temperature on the observed lamination strength were studied for both the EB/PTFE and EB/Cu interfaces. The lap shear adhesion strength of the EB/PTFE junction also depended on the plasma pretreatment time of the PTFE surface. Maximum lap shear adhesion strength approaching 200 N/cm2 was obtained for the EB/PTFE interface laminated at 140°C for 1 h in the presence of pure AAc monomer and with 40 s of Ar plasma pretreatment time for the PTFE surface. A maximum lap shear adhesion strength of about 640 N/cm2 could be readily achieved for the EB/Cu interface for grafting/lamination carried out in the presence of 25 vol% aqueous VIDz solution at 130°C.

The surface microhardness of conventional thermoplastics lie between 0.1 and 0.6 GPa. The as-cast emeraldine (EM-25) base film of polyaniline (PANi) exhibits a surface microhardness of about 1 GPa. The hardness is increased to about 4 GPa in the highly cross-linked EM (EM-150) film. This hardness value is further enhanced to about 6 GPa after 1 cycle of acid−base treatment. The hardness of the EM-150 film can also be enhanced to about 8 GPa through protonation or through reduction to the leucoemeraldine state. Surface modification of the EM-150 films via graft copolymerization with acrylic acid or styrenesulfonic acid readily gives rise to hard-surfaced PANi films having microhardness values approaching 20 GPa. This surface hardness is comparable to many of those reported for the very hard-surfaced conventional polymers from high-energy ion-beam bombardments. The surface hardness of the surface-modified EM-150 film arises from the additional covalent bonding of the graft chains on the highly cross-linked ...

The results obtained from the in situ analysis by angle resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the interactions between thermally evaporated metals (aluminum and indium) and conjugated electroluminescent polymer films, such as poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and its soluble derivative, poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV), are reported. The changes in the carbon and metal core-level spectra and the chemical stoichiometries of polymer–metal interfaces with progressive deposition of the metal atoms were monitored. The interactions of the Al and In atoms with the polymer surfaces were compared. For both metals, a simple electrical contact was not formed. From the XPS studies, it was deduced that chemical reactions had occurred between the polymer and the metal, leading to the formation of an interfacial layer of metal oxides and complexes. The interfacial reactions were promoted by the surface oxidation states of the polymer, the migration of bulk adsorbed oxygen to t...

ZnSe self-organized dot structures on ZnS thin films were fabricated by the molecular beam epitaxy technique. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of exposed dots taken within the same day of growth reveal that the dot density increases with increasing ZnSe coverage. AFM images taken at later times (up to six months) shows ripening effect. Room temperature photoluminescence studies on buried-dot structures show promising optical characteristics that are sensitive to the growth temperature used for dot formation.

Sandwiched structures that consist of ZnSTe/ZnSTe: Al/ZnSTe were fabricated by the molecular beam epitaxy technique on three GaAs substrates oriented along (1 0 0), (5 1 1) and (7 1 1), respectively, to study the thermal diffusion of Al dopant in ZnS 0.986 Te 0.014 matrix by secondary ion mass spectroscopy depth profiling. The relative sensitivity factor of Al with respect to Zn was determined to be 4.5 ± 0.5 x 10 19 cm -3 . The Al diffusion coefficients at annealing temperature of 450 and 550°C were found to be 2.1 x 10 -15 cm 2 /s and 2.1 x × 10 -14 cm 2 /s, respectively, and the diffusion seems to be isotropic, regardless of the crystallographic orientation.

Surface segregation of Sb atoms at low temperatures below 400°C during Si molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth is studied by ex situ X-ray reflectivity measurements and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). One monolayer of Sb atoms was first deposited at the temperature of 300°C, followed by a 23-nm thick Si overlayer grown at different temperatures of 250, 300, 350, and 400°C. The decay lengths of dopant Sb distribution profiles are obtained to be 0.45, 0.95, 3.5, and >20 nm by simulations of their X-ray reflectivity curves, respectively. A strong surface segregation of Sb atoms is observed at temperatures of 350 and 400°C, which is also confirmed by the SIMS profiles. Surface structure change caused by a high coverage of Sb is suggested to explain such a strong segregation.

We have demonstrated blue-light emission from ZnSTe-based electroluminescence (EL) devices. Photoelectroluminescence technique is used to study field-quenching effects on Te isoelectronic centers in undoped ZnSTe alloy. Heavy doping by Al in ZnSTe alloy is found to help reduce field quenching action and gives rise to much higher EL emission in ZnSTe:Al-based Schottky-barriery type structures. I – V characteristics and emission spectra reveal that a tunneling dominated mechanism is responsible for generating the carriers for impact excitation of the localized states associated with Te isoelectronic centers in these structures.

Gene expression profiles for intervertebral disc (IVD) cells treated with different osmolarities were compared to identify key genes associated with intervertebral disc diseases.Microarray data was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and pre-processed using package of R. Gene co-expression was determined with Pearson correlation coefficient. Interaction networks were established with the protein-protein interaction (PPI) information obtained from Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD database) for the two conditions: isosmoticity and hyperosmosis, and then a comparative analysis was done to identify disease-related genes. The functional annotation was performed for these genes using network ontology analysis (NOA), which also confirmed the effectiveness of this method.A total of 45 feature genes were obtained through comparing 7 samples treated under isosmotic conditions and 9 high osmotic conditions. Biological processes and molecular functions were then revealed by NOA.A range of disease-related genes were obtained, which might serve as the potential biomarkers or drug targets. More works are needed to further elucidate their roles in the development of intervertebral disc diseases like intervertebral disc herniation.