N′-(3,4-Dichloro­benzyl­idene)-5-methyl-1-(4-nitro­phen­yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazide

In the title compound, C17H12Cl2N6O3, the 1H-1,2,3-triazole ring [maximum deviation = 0.003 (1) Å] forms dihedral angles of 34.08 (6) and 28.38 (6)°, respectively, with the nitro- and dichloro-substituted benzene rings. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 6.68 (5)°. In the crystal, C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into chains running parallel to the a axis

3D simulation investigating ZnO NWFET characteristics

3D Simulation was carried out and compared with fabricated ZnO NWFET. The device had the following electrical output characteristics: mobility value of 10.0 cm2 /Vs at a drain voltage of 1.0 V, threshold voltage of 24 V, and subthreshold slope (SS) of 1500 mV/decade. The simulation showed that the device output results are influenced by two main issues: (i) contact resistance (Rcon ≈ 11.3 MΩ) and (ii) interface state trapped charge number density (QIT = 3.79 x 1015 cm-2). The QIT was derived from the Gaussian distribution that depends on two parameters added together. These parameters are: an acceptor-like exponential band tail function gGA(E) and an acceptor-like Gaussian deep state function gTA(E). By de-embedding the contact resistance, the simulation is able to improve the device by producing excellent field effect mobility of 126.9 cm2 /Vs

In vitro and in vivo cytotoxic effects of chlorella against various types of cancer

Chlorella is one of the microalgae that had been studied intensively owing to its rapid growth and easily cultured at a large scale compared to other microalgae and valuable nutrient compositions. Numerous studies have observed that Chlorella possess various health benefit including antioxidant, anti-cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effect against many types of cancer. In this review paper, the effects of various Chlorella species against cancer cells and animal induced cancer are discussed and an overview on Chlorella is briefed. The Chlorella deleterious effect on cancer through various mechanisms such as enhancement of immune system and apoptosis; improving lipid peroxidation; synthesis and expression of the protein-degrading matrix; and preventing the formation of new blood vessels are elaborated as well. Based on the findings of many studies reported in this article, it can be suggested that Chlorella has the potential in supporting cancer therapy and may develop to become an anti-cancer agent

Experimental investigation of energy storage properties and thermal conductivity of a novel organic phase change material/MXene as A new class of nanocomposites

Energy storage is a global critical issue and important area of research as most of the renewable sources of energy are intermittent. In this research work, recently emerged inorganic nanomaterial (MXene) is used for the first time with paraffin wax as a phase change material (PCM) to improve its thermo-physical properties. This paper focuses on preparation, characterization, thermal properties and thermal stability of new class of nanocomposites induced with MXene nanoparticles in three different concentrations. Acquired absorbance (UV-Vis) for nanocomposite with loading concentration of 0.3 wt.% of MXene achieved ~39% enhancement in comparison with the pure paraffin wax. Thermal conductivity measurement for nanocomposites in a solid state is performed using a KD2 PRO decagon. The specific heat capacity (cp) of PCM based MXene is improved by introducing MXene. The improvement of cp is found to be 43% with 0.3 wt.% of MXene loaded in PCM. The highest thermal conductivity increment is found to be 16% at 0.3 wt.% concentration of MXene in PCM. Decomposition temperature of this new class of nanocomposite with 0.3 wt.% mass fraction is increased by ~6%. This improvement is beneficial in thermal energy storage and heat transfer applications

Effects of edible bird's nest (EBN) on cultured rabbit corneal keratocytes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There has been no effective treatment or agent that is available for corneal injury in promoting corneal wound healing. Previous studies on edible bird's nest extract (EBN) had reported the presence of hormone-like substance; avian epidermal growth factor that could stimulate cell division and enhance regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EBN on corneal keratocytes proliferative capacity and phenotypical changes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Corneal keratocytes from six New Zealand White Rabbits were isolated and cultured until Passage 1. The proliferative effects of EBN on corneal keratocytes were determined by MTT assay in serum-containing medium (FDS) and serum-free medium (FD). Keratocytes phenotypical changes were morphologically assessed and gene expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), collagen type 1 and lumican were determined through RT-PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest cell proliferation was observed when both media were supplemented with 0.05% and 0.1% EBN. Cell proliferation was also consistently higher in FDS compared to FD. Both phase contrast micrographs and gene expression analysis confirmed the corneal keratocytes retained their phenotypes with the addition of EBN.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggested that low concentration of EBN could synergistically induce cell proliferation, especially in serum-containing medium. This could be a novel breakthrough as both cell proliferation and functional maintenance are important during corneal wound healing. The in vitro test is considered as a crucial first step for nutri-pharmaceutical formation of EBN-based eye drops before in vivo application.</p

Electrical characteristics of top-down ZnO nanowire transistors using remote plasma ALD

Top-down fabrication is used to produce ZnO nanowires by remote plasma atomic layer deposition over a SiO2 pillar and anisotropic dry etching. Nanowire field-effect transistors (FETs), with channel lengths in the range of 1.3–18.6 µm, are then fabricated using these 80 nm × 40 nm nanowires. Measured electrical results show n-type enhancement behavior and a breakdown voltage ~75 V at all channel lengths. This is the first report of high-voltage operation for ZnO nanowire FETs. Reproducible well-behaved electrical characteristics are obtained, and the drain current scales with 1/L, as expected for long-channel FETs. A respectable ION/IOFF ratio of 2 × 106 is obtained

Top-down fabrication process of ZnO NWFETs

ZnO NWFETs were fabricated with and without Al2O3 passivation. This was done by developing a new recipe for depositing the thin film of ZnO. By using a high donor concentration of 1.7 x 1018 cm-3 for the thin film, contact resistance values were lowered (passivated device had Rcon = 2.5 x 104 Ω; unpassivated device had Rcon = 3.0 x 105 Ω). By depositing Zn first instead of O2, steep subthreshold slopes were obtained. The passivated device had a subthreshold slope of 225 mV/decade and the unpassivated device had a slope of 125 mV/decade. Well-behaved electrical characteristics have been obtained and the passivated device shows field effect mobility of 10.9 cm2/Vs and the un-passivated device shows a value of 31.4 cm2/Vs. To verify the results, 3D simulation was also carried out which shows that the obtained values of sub-threshold slope translate into interface state number densities of -1.86 x 1013 cm-2 for the unpassivated device and 3.35 x 1014 cm-2 for the passivated device. The passivated device is suitable for biosensing applications

Fabrication of ZnO Nanowire Device Using Top-Down Approach

ZnO nanowire devices were fabricated from top-down using optical lithography. The nanowires are formed from anisotropic etch of 100 nm Filtered Cathodic Vacuum Arc (FCVA) deposited ZnO thin film. The nanowires are characterized using SEM and Raman spectroscopy via image mapping. The current-voltage characteristics showed a typical ohmic behaviour after contact annealing, reflecting the influence of the lowering of contact barriers between the ZnO nanowire device and the Al metal electrode

Testes biopsy analysis and hormonal reproduction levels of pig tail macaque (<em>Macaca nemestrina</em>) injected with testosterone enanthate (TE) and depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA)

<p>The objective of this study is to analyse the testes biopsy and to know the lnrmone level reproduction of pig tail macaque (<em>Macaca nemestrina</em>) injected with testosterone enanthate (TE) and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Six pig tail male macaques, age 6 - 8 years old were used as sanrple. Three months after adaptation period, each animal was injected intra muscularly with 32 mg TE each week starting at week zero up to the sixth week. The treatment was continued every 3 weeks after the sixth week up to the 24th week. 40 mg of DMPA was injected intramuscularly at week zero, and continued every week up to week 18. Volume of the testes was taken every three weeks and blood samples for examination of gonadotropin hormone and steroid hormone were taken at 6 week intervals. Testes biopsy was perfomed at week 30 and week 48. Preparation of testes histological slides were made using the paraffin method and stained with hematoxylin-Eosin (HE). The results of this study showed that both testes volume decreased i.e. 18.35 cm³ ± 9.35 and 19.02cm³ ± 10.88 (at week zero) to 6.70 cm³ ± 3.80 and 7.02 cm³ ± 4.61 (lowest volume at week 21). In recovery period, the testes volume increased to 20.34 cmr ± 7.87 and 21.75 cm3 ± 7.09. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the score of spermatogenesis (right and left testes) at week 30 were 0.13 mm ± 0.027 and 0.13 mm ± 0.026 and score were 5.08 ± 2.67 and 5.41 ± 2.51. At week 48, both diameter of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenesis score increased to become 0.18 mm ± 0.029 and 0.18 mm ± 0.026, and score were 7.51 ± 2.14 and 7.57 ± 1.59, During this period, hyalinization and fibrosis of seminiferous tubule occurred. By week 6, the total testosterone, free testosterone, and estrogen hormone levels increased quite sharply and then decreased but still higher than base levels of hormone. In the recovery period, estrogen hormone increased significantly until the end of observation (week 48). FSH and LH hormone levels decreased until week 6, then the FSH hormone levels increased until the end of observation, while the LH hormone level is still lower than base level. Conclusion of this study is the injection of TE and DMPA combination will alter the histological structure of the pig tailed macaque testes i.e. decreasing the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, suppressing spermatogenesis and hyalinisation and fibrosis of seminiferous tubules. The damages of this structure are likely caused by inhibition of feedback mechanism of hypothalamus-hypophysis-testes. <em><strong>(Med J Indones 2007; 10: 137-43)</strong></em></p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> <em>Macaca nemestrina, seminiferous tubule, spermatogenesis, gonadotropin hormone, steroid hormone</em></p