Investigating laser induced phase engineering in MoS2 transistors

Phase engineering of MoS2 transistors has recently been demonstrated and has led to record low contact resistances. The phase patterning of MoS2 flakes with laser radiation has also been realized via spectroscopic methods, which invites the potential of controlling the metallic and semiconducting phases of MoS2 transistors by simple light exposure. Nevertheless, the fabrication and demonstration of laser patterned MoS2 devices starting from the metallic polymorph has not been demonstrated yet. Here, we study the effects of laser radiation on 1T/1T'-MoS2 transistors with the prospect of driving an in-situ phase transition to the 2H-polymorph through light exposure. We find that although the Raman peaks of 2H-MoS2 become more prominent and the ones from the 1T/1T' phase fade after the laser exposure, the semiconducting properties of the laser patterned devices are not fully restored and the laser treatment ultimately leads to degradation of the transport channel

Thickness dependent interlayer transport in vertical MoS2 Josephson junctions

We report on observations of thickness dependent Josephson coupling and multiple Andreev reflections (MAR) in vertically stacked molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) - molybdenum rhenium (MoRe) Josephson junctions. MoRe, a chemically inert superconductor, allows for oxide free fabrication of high transparency vertical MoS2 devices. Single and bilayer MoS2 junctions display relatively large critical currents (up to 2.5 uA) and the appearance of sub-gap structure given by MAR. In three and four layer thick devices we observe orders of magnitude lower critical currents (sub-nA) and reduced quasiparticle gaps due to proximitized MoS2 layers in contact with MoRe. We anticipate that this device architecture could be easily extended to other 2D materials.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures including Supporting Informatio

The Grade Experience of Online Nurse Practitioner Students

The rapid growth and demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) is expected to increase through 2020. The growing national shortage of physicians in primary care has fueled the demand for NPs. The expansion of health insurance coverage means that more people will be insured and will need health care. Online NP programs are of interest to working students. NP students often want to expedite degree completion by taking more than one clinical course per quarter (OCCPQ). This study examined grade experience differences for online NP students who took more than OCCPQ, compared to those who did not take more than OCCPQ. The study found that students who took more than OCCPQ had increased odds of failing a course.https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/current/1027/thumbnail.jp

Ultrastructural study of Rift Valley fever virus in the mouse model

AbstractDetailed ultrastructural studies of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in the mouse model are needed to develop and characterize a small animal model of RVF for the evaluation of potential vaccines and therapeutics. In this study, the ultrastructural features of RVFV infection in the mouse model were analyzed. The main changes in the liver included the presence of viral particles in hepatocytes and hepatic stem cells accompanied by hepatocyte apoptosis. However, viral particles were observed rarely in the liver; in contrast, particles were extremely abundant in the CNS. Despite extensive lymphocytolysis, direct evidence of viral replication was not observed in the lymphoid tissue. These results correlate with the acute-onset hepatitis and delayed-onset encephalitis that are dominant features of severe human RVF, but suggest that host immune-mediated mechanisms contribute significantly to pathology. The results of this study expand our knowledge of RVFV–host interactions and further characterize the mouse model of RVF

Genome -Scale Reconstruction of Metabolic Networks of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 334 and 12A

Lactobacillus casei strains are widely used in industry and the utility of this organism in these industrial applications is straindependent. Hence, tools capable of predicting strain specific phenotypes would have utility in the selection of strains forspecific industrial processes. Genome-scale metabolic models can be utilized to better understand genotype-phenotyperelationships and to compare different organisms. To assist in the selection and development of strains with enhancedindustrial utility, genome-scale models for L. casei ATCC 334, a well characterized strain, and strain 12A, a corn silage isolate,were constructed. Draft models were generated from RAST genome annotations using the Model SEED database and refined by evaluating ATP generating cycles, mass-and-charge-balances of reactions, and growth phenotypes. After the validation process was finished, we compared the metabolic networks of these two strains to identify metabolic, genetic and ortholog differences that may lead to different phenotypic behaviors. We conclude that the metabolic capabilities of the two networks are highly similar. The L. casei ATCC 334 model accounts for 1,040 reactions, 959 metabolites and 548 genes, while the L. casei 12A model accounts for 1,076 reactions, 979 metabolites and 640 genes. The developed L. casei ATCC 334 and 12A metabolic models will enable better understanding of the physiology of these organisms and be valuable tools in the development and selection of strains with enhanced utility in a variety of industrial applications

Carbonate-hosted methanotrophy represents an unrecognized methane sink in the deep sea

The atmospheric flux of methane from the oceans is largely mitigated through microbially mediated sulphate-coupled methane oxidation, resulting in the precipitation of authigenic carbonates. Deep-sea carbonates are common around active and palaeo-methane seepage, and have primarily been viewed as passive recorders of methane oxidation; their role as active and unique microbial habitats capable of continued methane consumption has not been examined. Here we show that seep-associated carbonates harbour active microbial communities, serving as dynamic methane sinks. Microbial aggregate abundance within the carbonate interior exceeds that of seep sediments, and molecular diversity surveys reveal methanotrophic communities within protolithic nodules and well-lithified carbonate pavements. Aggregations of microbial cells within the carbonate matrix actively oxidize methane as indicated by stable isotope FISH–nanoSIMS experiments and ^(14)CH_4 radiotracer rate measurements. Carbonate-hosted methanotrophy extends the known ecological niche of these important methane consumers and represents a previously unrecognized methane sink that warrants consideration in global methane budgets