Comment on "Mn Interstitial Diffusion in (Ga,Mn)As"

The magnetic and transport properties of (GaMn)As are known to be influenced by postgrowth annealing, and it is generally accepted that these modifications are due to outdiffusion of Mn interstitials. We show that the annealing-induced modifications are strongly accelerated if the treatment is carried out under As capping. This means that the modification rate is not limited by the diffusion process, but rather by the surface trapping of the diffusing species.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Inhomogeneous vortex-state-driven enhancement of superconductivity in nanoengineered ferromagnet-superconductor heterostructures

Thin film heterostructures provide a powerful means to study the antagonism between superconductivity (SC) and ferromagnetism (FM). One interesting issue in FM-SC hybrids which defies the notion of antagonistic orders is the observation of magnetic field induced superconductivity (FIS). Here we show that in systems where the FM domains/islands produce spatial inhomogeneities of the SC order parameter, the FIS can derive significant contribution from different mobilities of the magnetic flux identified by two distinct critical states in the inhomogeneous superconductor. Our experiments on nanoengineered bilayers of ferromagnetic CoPt and superconducting NbN where CoPt/NbN islands are separated by a granular NbN, lend support to this alternative explanation of FIS in certain class of FM-SC hybrids.Comment: 5 figure

Helicobacter pylori Adapts to Chronic Infection and Gastric Disease via pH-Responsive BabA-Mediated Adherence

International audienceThe BabA adhesin mediates high-affinity binding of Helicobacter pylori to the ABO blood group antigen-glycosylated gastric mucosa. Here we show that BabA is acid responsive-binding is reduced at low pH and restored by acid neutralization. Acid responsiveness differs among strains; often correlates with different intragastric regions and evolves during chronic infection and disease progression; and depends on pH sensor sequences in BabA and on pH reversible formation of high-affinity binding BabA multimers. We propose that BabA's extraordinary reversible acid responsiveness enables tight mucosal bacterial adherence while also allowing an effective escape from epithelial cells and mucus that are shed into the acidic bactericidal lumen and that bio-selection and changes in BabA binding properties through mutation and recombination with babA-related genes are selected by differences among individuals and by changes in gastric acidity over time. These processes generate diverse H. pylori subpopulations, in which BabA's adaptive evolution contributes to H. pylori persistence and overt gastric disease

Enhancing the bioactivity of zirconia and zirconia composites by surface modification

Among bioceramics, zirconia (ZrO2) and alumina (Al2O3) possess exceptional mechanical properties suitable for load-bearing and wear-resistant applications but the poor bioactivity of these materials is the major concern when bonding and integration to the living bone are desired. This article investigates two different approaches and their underlying mechanisms to improve the bioactivity of zirconia (3Y-TZP) and a zirconia composite with alumina (10Ce-TZP/Al2O3). Chemical treatment approach applied on 3Y-TZP where the substrates were soaked in 5M H3PO4 to create chemically functional groups on the surface for inducing apatite nucleation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to detect chemical changes and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to monitor phase changes on the surface before and after acid treatment. Alternate soaking approach applied on 10Ce-TZP/Al2O3 consisted of soaking the composite substrates in CaCl2 and Na2HPO4 solutions alternately to make a precursor for apatite formation. The bioactivity was evaluated by apatite-forming ability of surface-treated materials in simulated body fluid (SBF). Both methods resulted in the formation of hydroxyapatite on the surface of materials; however, alternate soaking approach showed to be a simpler, faster, and more effective method than the chemical treatment approach for enhancing the bioactivity of zirconia materials

Mineralization at Titanium Surfaces is a Two-Step Process.

Mapping the initial reaction of implants with blood or cell culture medium is important for the understanding of the healing process in bone. In the present study, the formation of low crystalline carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) onto commercially pure titanium (Ti) implants from cell culture medium and blood, is described as an early event in bone healing at implants. The Ti-implants were incubated with cell culture medium (DMEM) or whole blood and the surface concentration of Ca, P and HA was analyzed by XPS, EDX and Tof-SIMS. After incubation with DMEM for 16 h and 72 h, EDX and XPS analysis showed stable levels of Ca and P on the Ti-surface. ESEM images showed an even distribution of Ca and P. Further analysis of the XPS results indicated that CHA was formed at the implants. Analysis with ToF-SIMS yielded high m.w. fragments of HA, such as Ca₂PO4 at m/z 174.9 and Ca₃PO₅ at m/z 230.8, as secondary ions at the Ti-surfaces. Analysis of implants incubated in blood for 16 h, with ToF-SIMS, showed initial formation of CHA yielding CaOH as secondary ion. The results indicate that early mineralization at Ti-surfaces is an important step in the healing of implants into bone

Organic molecular beam deposition system and initial studies of organic layer growth

This work describes an organic molecular beam deposition system with substrate entry/exit chamber, buffer chamber and with the possibility to transfer substrate from a III–V molecular beam deposition system. Flux calibrations of organic molecules and the initial growth of organic layers are described. For this purpose, the molecules 3,4,9,10 perylene tetra carboxylic dianhydride and copper phtalocyanine were used. Layers were grown on oxidized and hydrogen passivated Si(100), Indium tin oxide and glass respectively. The growth was investigated with atomic force microscopy, reflection high energy electron diffraction and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. An investigation with x-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy on the effect of atmospheric exposure is also included, showing little effect of surface pollution when the samples were handled carefully. The initial formation (monolayers) of copper phtalocyanine thin films was studied by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy

Organic molecular beam deposition system and initial studies of organic layer growth

This work describes an organic molecular beam deposition system with substrate entry/exitchamber, buffer chamber and with the possibility to transfer substrate from a III–V molecularbeam deposition system. Flux calibrations of organic molecules and the initial growth oforganic layers are described. For this purpose, the molecules 3,4,9,10 perylene tetra carboxylicdianhydride and copper phtalocyanine were used. Layers were grown on oxidized andhydrogen passivated Si(100), Indium tin oxide and glass respectively. The growth wasinvestigated with atomic force microscopy, reflection high energy electron diffraction andultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. An investigation with x-ray photoelectron and Ramanspectroscopy on the effect of atmospheric exposure is also included, showing little effect ofsurface pollution when the samples were handled carefully. The initial formation (monolayers)of copper phtalocyanine thin films was studied by ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy

Photoelectron spectroscopic studies of ultra-thin CuPc and PTCDA layers on Cu(100)

The initial interaction and interface formation between Cu(100) and the organic semiconductors 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) and copper phtalocyanine (CuPc) has been studied by means of angle-resolved UV photoelectron spectroscopy (ARUPS). Both CuPc and PTCDA are known to adsorb strongly on the Cu(100) surface. The bonding interaction is revealed via interface-related structures in photoemission spectra. However, the spectra develop rather differently in the low coverage regime: while CuPc molecular states are observed below monolayer coverage, the first PTCDA layer is found to be reacted such that the adsorbate-induced emission is strongly modified relative that of intact PTCDA molecules. We find a number of structures that are neither PTCDA- nor Cu-derived, and that the oxygen-related component of the PTCDA spectrum is completely missing in spectra from the monolayer. Importantly for device applications, we find evidence of interfacial electronic states in the form of new peaks located in the former HOMO-LUMO gap for both molecules. In the case of PTCDA these support a chemisorptive bonding model, whereas in the case of CuPc we interpret the state as a monolayer-specific resonance