STM Observation of the Si(111) - (7×7) Reconstructed Surface Modified by Excess Phosphorus Doping

The electronic properties of semiconductor surfaces change readily upon changing the carrier densities by controlling the dopant concentration. Additionally, excess dopant atoms can exert electric field which would affect the molecular adsorption process and could be used to manipulate the dynamic movement of confined molecules. A mechanism can be developed to control the molecular dynamic movement on modified semiconductor surface by dopants thus changing the effect of the electric field on the active molecules.  In this study, the Si(111) surface was doped with phosphorus excessively using thermal diffusion process. The surface was then reconstructed to the 7 × 7 configuration via heating under UHV conditions and then studied through STM and STS techniques. The protrusions due to surface and subsurface P atoms appear brighter due to the lone electron pair. The 7 × 7 reconstruction would be destabilized after a critical P substitution of Si-adatom concentration due to high surface strain result in P-terminated (6√3 × 6√3)R30º reconstruction

Effect of Spray Directions on the Crystal Growth of Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide One-dimensional nanostructured Thin Films

In this study the novel spray pyrolysis technique, known as rotational, pulsed and atomized spray deposition method was used to fabricate vertically aligned and well separated FTO One-dimensional nanostructures on glass substrate. It was confirmed that spraying at low angle to the substrate is mandatory for the crystal growth of vertically aligned nanorods. The preferential orientation of nanorods crystallites along the (101) direction and prepared nanorods thin film showed an excellent transparency of 84.8% and a low resistance of 26.7 Ω/sq

Optimization of polymer blend electrolytes with tuneable conductivity potentials

The potential of electrolytes’ performance in electrochemical devices is among the leading research. There are several ways to improve the conductivity of electrolytes, including the employment of additive materials and polymer blends. This research aims to improve the conductivity of a polymer blend with quasi solid state electrolyte. Poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVdF) possed great electrochemical stability and thermal stability. Hence, these materials were chosen as the target polymer for the synthesis of the polymer blend. The electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed an optimum conductivity value of 3.44 106 Scm1 with the ratio of PMMA: PVdF (70:30) at ambient temperature. The dependent temperature of PBE was also analyzed to prove that the conductivity increases with the increment of temperature and low activation energy (Ea). The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows the stability of PBE up to 651 ◦C. Through this research, there are several different concentrations of PBE to investigate the stability of PBE with great value in the conductivity performance

An Optimization of Nanostructure Aluminum on Porous Silicon at Different Aluminum Thickness

The growth of aluminum nanostructure was conducted on porous silicon substrate by depositing a layer of aluminum via thermal evaporation method. The deposition process of the aluminum nanostructure was under the annealing temperature at 350°C for 1 hour. The weight of aluminum was varied for each sample in order to obtain different thickness of aluminum deposited on the sample. The weight of aluminum used in this experiment were 12mg ,18mg ,50mg and 74mg with the corresponding aluminum thickness deposited of 112nm, 163nm, 205nm and 332nm. Characterization on the morphology of the sample are conducted by using Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and IV measurements. Based on the result obtained, the optimum weight of aluminum was 50mg of aluminum since it is provide the higher conductivity value on the sample

Targeting oxytocin receptor (Oxtr)-expressing neurons in the lateral septum to restore social novelty in autism spectrum disorder mouse models

© 2020, The Author(s). Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders and needs new therapeutic approaches. Recently, oxytocin (OXT) showed potential as the first anti-ASD drug. Many reports have described the efficacy of intranasal OXT therapy to improve the core symptoms of patients with ASD; however, the underlying neurobiological mechanism remains unknown. The OXT/oxytocin receptor (OXTR) system, through the lateral septum (LS), contributes to social behavior, which is disrupted in ASD. Therefore, we selectively express hM3Dq in OXTR-expressing (OXTR+) neurons in the LS to investigate this effect in ASD mouse models developed by environmental and genetic cues. In mice that received valproic acid (environmental cue), we demonstrated successful recovery of impaired social memory with three-chamber test after OXTR+ neuron activation in the LS. Application of a similar strategy to Nl3R451C knock-in mice (genetic cue) also caused successful recovery of impaired social memory in single field test. OXTR+ neurons in the LS, which are activated by social stimuli, are projected to the CA1 region of the hippocampus. This study identified a candidate mechanism for improving core symptoms of ASD by artificial activation of DREADDs, as a simulation of OXT administration to activate OXTR+ neurons in the LS

A paradigm shift for bone quality in dentistry: A literature review

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present the current concept of bone quality based on the proposal by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and some of the cellular and molecular factors that affect bone quality. Study selection: This is a literature review which focuses on collagen, biological apatite (BAp), and bone cells such as osteoblasts and osteocytes. Results: In dentistry, the term “bone quality” has long been considered to be synonymous with bone mineral density (BMD) based on radiographic and sensible evaluations. In 2000, the NIH proposed the concept of bone quality as “the sum of all characteristics of bone that influence the bone’s resistance to fracture,” which is completely independent of BMD. The NIH defines bone quality as comprising bone architecture, bone turnover, bone mineralization, and micro-damage accumulation. Moreover, our investigations have demonstrated that BAp, collagen, and bone cells such as osteoblasts and osteocytes play essential roles in controlling the current concept of bone quality in bone around hip and dental implants. Conclusion: The current concept of bone quality is crucial for understanding bone mechanical functions. BAp, collagen and osteocytes are the main factors affecting bone quality. Moreover, mechanical loading dynamically adapts bone quality. Understanding the current concept of bone quality is required in dentistry

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation