A hybrid iterative method for common solutions of variational inequality problems and fixed point problems for single-valued and multi-valued mappings with applications

Revie

Additional Precipitation Reactions of Lectins with Human Serum Glycoproteins

Peer Reviewe

Ferroelectric phase transitions induced by a strain gradient

Abstract In perovskite oxide ferroelectrics, gradients of lattice strain are known to induce nanoscale topological structures, leading to novel or enhanced functionality. Here, we experimentally detect and theoretically analyze thickness distribution of structural properties in epitaxial Pb0.5 Sr0.5 TiO3 films grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates. We show that the relaxation of substrate-imposed stress produces a strain gradient, which leads to the formation of distinct ferroelectric phases as a function of distance from the film-substrate interface within the same film. Charge carriers trapped at phase boundaries stabilize the induced phases and manifest themselves under electric field. Crosstalk between the phases, where polarization may rotate in one phase and invert in the other one, opens perspectives for advanced ferroelectric thin film devices

Cell adhesion and growth on ultrananocrystalline diamond and diamond-like carbon films after different surface modifications

Diamond and diamond-like carbon (DLC) films possess a set of excellent physical and chemical properties which together with a high biocompatibility make them attractive candidates for a number of medical and biotechnological applications. In the current work thin ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) and DLC films were comparatively investigated with respect to cell attachment and proliferation after different surface modifications. The UNCD films were prepared by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, the DLC films by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The films were comprehensively characterized with respect to their basic properties, e.g. crystallinity, morphology, chemical bonding nature, etc. Afterwards the UNCD and DLC films were modified applying O2 or NH3/N2 plasmas and UV/O3 treatments to alter their surface termination. The surface composition of as-grown and modified samples was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore the films were characterized by contact angle measurements with water, formamide, 1-decanol and diiodomethane; from the results obtained the surface energy with its dispersive and polar components was calculated. The adhesion and proliferation of MG63 osteosarcoma cells on the different UNCD and DLC samples were assessed by measurement of the cell attachment efficiency and MTT assays. The determined cell densities were compared and correlated with the surface properties of as-deposited and modified UNCD and DLC films.JRC.I.4-Nanobioscience