Process Optimization for Carbon Nanotubes-On-Graphene Fabrication

Because of their superior thermal and electrical properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (Gr) are promising candidates to replace copper and tungsten as interconnect materials in the most advanced integrated circuit technologies. We explore a three-dimensional all-carbon interconnect structure, consisting of vertically aligned CNTs grown directly on multi-layer graphene (MLG). The objective is to grow the CNTs with little or no damage to the graphene underlayer. We start with fabricating test structures using both plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and thermal CVD throughout the CNT growth process to confirm the results of previous work of our research group. We then proceed to design a process to grow CNTs using PECVD in order to achieve a test structure with not only vertically aligned CNTs, but also a conductive graphene underlayer. In order to achieve this, we vary the plasma conditions within the reactor during the CNT growth process and analyze the fabricated test structure using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a wafer probe station. Through our analysis we are able to determine the viability of our designed process. We are able to produce a test structure with partially aligned CNTs and an intact graphene underlayer by lowering the DC voltage of the plasma used in the PECVD process. As a result, we find that resistance of the sample is comparable to that of plain graphene. Three-dimensional all-carbon nanostructures such as the ones fabricated in our project can lead to functionalization of such structures as building blocks for future on-chip interconnects

Modeling the public health impact of malaria vaccines for developers and policymakers

Efforts to develop malaria vaccines show promise. Mathematical model-based estimates of the potential demand, public health impact, and cost and financing requirements can be used to inform investment and adoption decisions by vaccine developers and policymakers on the use of malaria vaccines as complements to existing interventions. However, the complexity of such models may make their outputs inaccessible to non-modeling specialists. This paper describes a Malaria Vaccine Model (MVM) developed to address the specific needs of developers and policymakers, who need to access sophisticated modeling results and to test various scenarios in a user-friendly interface. The model's functionality is demonstrated through a hypothetical vaccine.; The MVM has three modules: supply and demand forecast; public health impact; and implementation cost and financing requirements. These modules include pre-entered reference data and also allow for user-defined inputs. The model includes an integrated sensitivity analysis function. Model functionality was demonstrated by estimating the public health impact of a hypothetical pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine with 85% efficacy against uncomplicated disease and a vaccine efficacy decay rate of four years, based on internationally-established targets. Demand for this hypothetical vaccine was estimated based on historical vaccine implementation rates for routine infant immunization in 40 African countries over a 10-year period. Assumed purchase price was $5 per dose and injection equipment and delivery costs were$0.40 per dose.; The model projects the number of doses needed, uncomplicated and severe cases averted, deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted, and cost to avert each. In the demonstration scenario, based on a projected demand of 532 million doses, the MVM estimated that 150 million uncomplicated cases of malaria and 1.1 million deaths would be averted over 10 years. This is equivalent to 943 uncomplicate cases and 7 deaths averted per 1,000 vaccinees. In discounted 2011 US dollars, this represents $11 per uncomplicated case averted and$1,482 per death averted. If vaccine efficacy were reduced to 75%, the estimated uncomplicated cases and deaths averted over 10 years would decrease by 14% and 19%, respectively.; The MVM can provide valuable information to assist decision-making by vaccine developers and policymakers, information which will be refined and strengthened as field studies progress allowing further validation of modeling assumptions

Immunostimulatory Membrane Proteins Potentiate \u3cem\u3eH. pylori-\u3c/em\u3eInduced Carcinogenesis by Enabling CagA Translocation

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the single greatest risk factor for developing gastric adenocarcinoma. In prospective, population-based studies, seropositivity to the uncharacterized H. pylori proteins Hp0305 and Hp1564 was significantly associated with cancer risk in East Asia. However, the mechanism underlying this observation has not been elucidated. Here, we show that Hp0305 and Hp1564 act in concert with previously ascribed H. pylori virulence mechanisms to orchestrate cellular alterations that promote gastric carcinogenesis. In samples from 546 patients exhibiting premalignant gastric lesions, seropositivity to Hp0305 and Hp1564 was significantly associated with increased gastric atrophy across all stomach conditions. In vitro, depletion of Hp0305 and Hp1564 significantly reduced levels of gastric cell-associated bacteria and markedly impaired the ability of H. pylori to stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Remarkably, our studies revealed that Hp1564 is required for translocation of the oncoprotein CagA into gastric epithelial cells. Our data provide experimental insight into the molecular mechanisms governing novel H. pylori pathogenicity factors that are strongly associated with gastric disease and highlight the potential of Hp0305 and Hp1564 as robust molecular tools that can improve identification of individuals that are highly susceptible to gastric cancer. We demonstrate that Hp0305 and Hp1564 augment H. pylori-mediated inflammation and gastric cancer risk by promoting key bacteria-gastric cell interactions that facilitate delivery of oncogenic microbial cargo to target cells. Thus, therapeutically targeting microbial interactions driven by Hp0305/Hp1564 may enable focused H. pylori eradication strategies to prevent development of gastric malignancies in high-risk populations

Serum Deprivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Exosome Activity and Alters Lipid and Protein Composition

Exosomes can serve as delivery vehicles for advanced therapeutics. The components necessary and sufficient to support exosomal delivery have not been established. Here we connect biochemical composition and activity of exosomes to optimize exosome-mediated delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). This information is used to create effective artificial exosomes. We show that serum-deprived mesenchymal stem cells produce exosomes up to 22-fold more effective at delivering siRNAs to neurons than exosomes derived from control cells. Proteinase treatment of exosomes stops siRNA transfer, indicating that surface proteins on exosomes are involved in trafficking. Proteomic and lipidomic analyses show that exosomes derived in serum-deprived conditions are enriched in six protein pathways and one lipid class, dilysocardiolipin. Inspired by these findings, we engineer an artificial exosome, in which the incorporation of one lipid (dilysocardiolipin) and three proteins (Rab7, Desmoplakin, and AHSG) into conventional neutral liposomes produces vesicles that mimic cargo delivering activity of natural exosomes

Global importance of Indigenous Peoples, their lands, and knowledge systems for saving the world’s primates from extinction

Primates, represented by 521 species, are distributed across 91 countries primarily in the Neotropic, Afrotropic, and Indo-Malayan realms. Primates inhabit a wide range of habitats and play critical roles in sustaining healthy ecosystems that benefit human and nonhuman communities. Approximately 68% of primate species are threatened with extinction because of global pressures to convert their habitats for agricultural production and the extraction of natural resources. Here, we review the scientific literature and conduct a spatial analysis to assess the significance of Indigenous Peoples’ lands in safeguarding primate biodiversity. We found that Indigenous Peoples’ lands account for 30% of the primate range, and 71% of primate species inhabit these lands. As their range on these lands increases, primate species are less likely to be classified as threatened or have declining populations. Safeguarding Indigenous Peoples’ lands, languages, and cultures represents our greatest chance to prevent the extinction of the world’s primates.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Global importance of Indigenous Peoples, their lands, and knowledge systems for saving the world's primates from extinction

Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Authors, some rights reserved.Primates, represented by 521 species, are distributed across 91 countries primarily in the Neotropic, Afrotropic, and Indo-Malayan realms. Primates inhabit a wide range of habitats and play critical roles in sustaining healthy ecosystems that benefit human and nonhuman communities. Approximately 68% of primate species are threatened with extinction because of global pressures to convert their habitats for agricultural production and the extraction of natural resources. Here, we review the scientific literature and conduct a spatial analysis to assess the significance of Indigenous Peoples' lands in safeguarding primate biodiversity. We found that Indigenous Peoples' lands account for 30% of the primate range, and 71% of primate species inhabit these lands. As their range on these lands increases, primate species are less likely to be classified as threatened or have declining populations. Safeguarding Indigenous Peoples' lands, languages, and cultures represents our greatest chance to prevent the extinction of the world's primates.Peer reviewe

NFATc1 affects mouse splenic B cell function by controlling the calcineurin–NFAT signaling network

Mouse B cells lacking NFATc1 exhibit defective proliferation, survival, isotype class switching, cytokine production, and T cell help

IKK-induced NF-kappa B1 p105 proteolysis is critical for B cell antibody responses to T cell-dependent antigen

The importance of IκB kinase (IKK)–induced proteolysis of NF-κB1 p105 in B cells was investigated using Nfkb1SSAA/SSAA mice, in which this NF-κB signaling pathway is blocked. Nfkb1SSAA mutation had no effect on the development and homeostasis of follicular mature (FM) B cells. However, analysis of mixed bone marrow chimeras revealed that Nfkb1SSAA/SSAA FM B cells were completely unable to mediate T cell–dependent antibody responses. Nfkb1SSAA mutation decreased B cell antigen receptor (BCR) activation of NF-κB in FM B cells, which selectively blocked BCR stimulation of cell survival and antigen-induced differentiation into plasmablasts and germinal center B cells due to reduced expression of Bcl-2 family proteins and IRF4, respectively. In contrast, the antigen-presenting function of FM B cells and their BCR-induced migration to the follicle T cell zone border, as well as their growth and proliferation after BCR stimulation, were not affected. All of the inhibitory effects of Nfkb1SSAA mutation on B cell functions were rescued by normalizing NF-κB activation genetically. Our study identifies critical B cell-intrinsic functions for IKK-induced NF-κB1 p105 proteolysis in the antigen-induced survival and differentiation of FM B cells, which are essential for T-dependent antibody responses