Negative Differential Resistance, Memory and Reconfigurable Logic Functions based on Monolayer Devices derived from Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Electro-polymerizable Thiophene-EDOT Units

We report on hybrid memristive devices made of a network of gold nanoparticles (10 nm diameter) functionalized by tailored 3,4(ethylenedioxy)thiophene (TEDOT) molecules, deposited between two planar electrodes with nanometer and micrometer gaps (100 nm to 10 um apart), and electropolymerized in situ to form a monolayer film of conjugated polymer with embedded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electrical properties of these films exhibit two interesting behaviors: (i) a NDR (negative differential resistance) behavior with a peak/valley ratio up to 17, and (ii) a memory behavior with an ON/OFF current ratio of about 1E3 to 1E4. A careful study of the switching dynamics and programming voltage window is conducted demonstrating a non-volatile memory. The data retention of the ON and OFF states is stable (tested up to 24h), well controlled by the voltage and preserved when repeating the switching cycles (800 in this study). We demonstrate reconfigurable Boolean functions in multiterminal connected NP molecule devices.Comment: Full manuscript, figures and supporting information, J. Phys. Chem. C, on line, asap (2017

Electron refraction at lateral atomic interfaces

We present theoretical simulations of electron refraction at the lateral atomic interface between a “homogeneous” Cu(111) surface and the “nanostructured” one-monolayer (ML) Ag/Cu(111) dislocation lattice. Calculations are performed for electron binding energies barely below the 1 ML Ag/ Cu(111) M-point gap (binding energy EB ¼53 meV, below the Fermi level) and slightly above its C -point energy (EB ¼160 meV), both characterized by isotropic/circular constant energy surfaces. Using plane-wave-expansion and boundary-element methods, we show that electron refraction occurs at the interface, the Snell law is obeyed, and a total internal reflection occurs beyond the critical angle. Additionally, a weak negative refraction is observed for EB ¼53 meV electron energy at beam incidence higher than the critical angle. Such an interesting observation stems from the interface phase-matching and momentum conservation with the umklapp bands at the second Brillouin zone of the dislocation lattice. The present analysis is not restricted to our Cu-Ag/Cu model system but can be readily extended to technologically relevant interfaces with spinpolarized, highly featured, and anisotropic constant energy contours, such as those characteristic for Rashba systems and topological insulators. Published by AIP Publishing.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Transformer Faults Classification Based on Convolution Neural Network

This paper studies the latest advances made in Deep Learning (DL) methods utilized for transformer inrush and fault currents classification. Inrush and fault currents at different operating conditions, initial flux and fault type are simulated. This paper presents a technique for the classification of power transformer faults which is based on a DL method called convolutional neural network (CNN) and compares it with traditional artificial neural network (ANN) and other techniques. The inrush and fault current signals of the transformer are simulated within MATLAB by using Fourier analyzers that provides the 2nd harmonic signal. The 2nd harmonic peak and variance statistic values of input signals of the three phases of transformer are used at different operating conditions. The resulted values are aggregated into a dataset to be used as an input for the CNN model, then training and testing the CNN model is performed. Consequently, it is obvious that the CNN algorithm achieves a better performance compared to other algorithms. This study helps with easy discrimination between normal signals and faulty signals and to determine the type of the fault to clear it easily

Increasing the “region of interest” and “time of interest”, both reduce the variability of blood flow measurements using laser speckle contrast imaging

ObjectiveBoth spatial variability and temporal variability of skin blood flow are high. Laser speckle contrast imagers (LSCI) allow non-contact, real-time recording of cutaneous blood flow on large skin surfaces. Thereafter, the observer can define different sizes for the region of interest (ROI) in the images to decrease spatial variability and different durations over which the blood flow values are averaged (time of interest, TOI) to decrease temporal variability. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the choices of ROI and TOI on the analysis of rest blood flow and post occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). Methods Cutaneous blood flow (CBF) was assessed at rest and during PORH. Three different sizes of ROI (1 mm2, 10 mm2 and 100 mm2), and three different TOI (CBF averaged over 1 s, 15 s, and 30 s for rest, and over 1 s, 5 s and 10 s for PORH peak) were evaluated. Inter-subjects and intra-subjects coefficient of variations (inter-CV and intra-CV) were studied. Results The inter-subject variability of CBF is about 25% at rest and is moderately improved when the size of the ROI increases (inter-CV = 31%, for 1 s and 1 mm2 versus inter-CV = 23%, for 15 s and 100 mm2). However, increasing the TOI does not improve the results. The variability of the PORH peak is lower with an inter-CV varying between 11.4% (10 s and 100 mm2) and 21.6% (5 s and 1 mm2). The lowest intra-CV for the CBF at rest was 7.3% (TOI of 15 s on a ROI of 100 mm2) and was 3.1% for the PORH peak (TOI of 10 s on a ROI of 100 mm2). Conclusion We suggest that a size of ROI larger than 10 mm2 and a TOI longer than 1 s are required to reduce the variability of CBF measurements both at rest and during PORH peak evaluations at the forearm level. Many technical aspects such as comparison of laser speckle contrast imaging and laser Doppler imaging or the effect of skin to head distance on recorded values with LCSI are required to improve future studies using this fascinating clinical tool

Association between Antibodies to the MR 67,000 Isoform of Glutamate Decarboxylase (GAD) and Type 1 (Insulin-Dependent) Diabetes Mellitus with Coexisting Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type II

By using an immunoprecipitation assay, we analysed reactivity of autoantibodies to human recombinant GAD65 and GAD67 in sera from patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome Type II (APS II) with and without Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (IDDM) compared to patients with organ-specific autoimmunity. Overall antibodies to GAD65 were correlated with IDDM in all study groups, whereas GAD67 antibodies were associated with IDDM when APS II coexists. Antibodies to GAD65 and GAD67 were detected in 13 (44.8%) and 7 (24.1%) out of 29 APS II patients with IDDM, but in only 4 (13.8%) and 2 (6.9%) out of 29 APS II patients without IDDM, respectively (p < 0.05). In short-standing IDDM (< 1 year), antibodies to GAD67 were significantly more frequent in patients with APS II (5 of 9 [55.6%] subjects) compared to matched diabetic patients without coexisting polyendocrinopathy (1 of 18 [5.6%] subjects) (p < 0.02). The levels of GAD65 (142 ± 90 AU) and GAD67 antibodies (178 ± 95 AU) were significantly higher in patients with polyglandular disease than in patients with isolated IDDM (91 ± 85 AU and 93 ± 57 AU) (p < 0.02). Interestingly, all 11 GAD67 antibody positive subjects also had GAD65 antibodies (p < 0.0001), and in 10 of 11 anti-GAD67 positive sera the GAD67 antibodies could be blocked by either GAD67 or GAD65, suggesting the presence of cross-reactive autoantibodies. No correlation was observed between GAD antibodies and age, sex or any particular associated autoimmune disease, besides IDDM. GAD antibodies were present in only 1 of 6 (16.7%) patients with APS Type I, in 1 of 26 (3.9%) patients with autoimmune thyroid disease but in none of the patients with Addison's disease (n = 16), pernicious anaemia (n = 7) or normal controls (n = 50). Our data suggest distinct antibody specificities reactive to GAD isoforms in APS II and IDDM, which might reflect different mechanisms of autoimmune response in IDDM with coexisting autoimmune polyendocrine autoimmunity

Negative differential resistance and non-volatile memory in hybrid redox organic/nanoparticle devices

International audienc

GALLSTONES IN PATIENTS WITH INHERITED HEMOLYTIC DISEASES

The purpose is to provide an overview on the incidence of gallstone disease in patients with various types of inherited (chronic) hemolytic diseases at risk of cholelithiasis/choledocholithiasis with particular emphasis on its pathogenesis, genetic, risk factors and management. A detailed electronic literature search to determine the source of materials for this review article was done. The reported incidences of gallstones and choledocholithiasis vary according to the different types of inherited hemolytic diseases and the ethnicity of the studied populations. To date, no review article summarises the incidences of cholelithiasis in patients with various inherited haemolytic diseases was published. Regular ultrasound examination for the presence of gallstones recommended in patients with inherited haemolytic anaemias, particularly those with additional risk factors recommended. Further studies for evaluating the reasons for the higher incidence of cholelithiasis in thalassemia major and sickle cell anemia compared to hereditary spherocytosis; the effect of co inheritance of alpha thalassaemia on decreasing bilirubin level in patients with sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia; the effect of the co inheritance of UGT1A1 and ABCG8 gene mutation on the incidence of gallstones in other blood diseases such as Hb-H disease, autoimmune haemolytic anaemias, congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia, hereditary elliptocytosis, Southeast Asian Ovalocytosis, glucose-6-phosphate and pyruvate kinase deficiency are recommended. Evaluation of the potential role of the solubility of the mutant proteins and haemoglobin subunit in the red blood cells as an additional mechanism for the development of gallstones in patients with inherited haemolytic anaemias recommended

Molécules et polymères conjugués 3D dérivés de quaterthiophènes cruciformes

Date du colloque&nbsp;: 10/2009</p

TOXICOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF GOLD NANORODS IN NORMAL RATS

Objective: assessment of acute, subchronic and chronic toxicity of pegylated gold nanorods (PEG-gold NRs) in Wistar rats of both sex in three routes of administration {intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC)}.Methods: in the acute toxicity study; PEG-gold NRs were injected once by three different routes, blood and tissue samples were collected after 14 d. In the subchronic and chronic studies; PEG-gold NRs were injected via three different routes, at 0.225, 0.45 and 0.9 mg/kg, once daily for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 23-day recovery period, for three and six months in the subchronic and chronic toxicity studies, respectively. Hematology, urinalysis, biochemical and histopathological examinations were conducted at the end of each study.Results: acute toxicity showed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels after single IV, IM and SC injection of PEG-gold NRs, while serum creatinine was significantly increased after IV and IM injection. Subchronic results revealed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels. The chronic study showed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides, sodium levels, total leukocytes count and significant increase in serum creatinine after IV injection. IM injection resulted in significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, cholesterol, sodium levels and total leukocytes count. SC injection resulted in significant decrease in serum triglycerides, glucose, red blood cell count with increased creatinine and hematocrit.Conclusion: PEG-gold NRs at the three examined doses is apparently safe since no serious signs of toxicity were detected. IM and SC routes of injection were irritating, so we recommend the IV route.Â

Insulin autoantibodies as determined by competitive radiobinding assay are positively correlated with impaired beta-cell function — The Ulm-Frankfurt population study

Out of a random population of 4208 non-diabetic pupils without a family history of Type I diabetes 44 (1.05%) individuals had islet cell antibody (ICA) levels greater or equal to 5 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) units. 39 of these ICA-positives could be repeatedly tested for circulating insulin autoantibodies (CIAA) using a competitive radiobinding assay. The results were compared with the insulin responses in the intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) and with HLA types. Six pupils were positive for CIAA. All of them had complement-fixing ICA, and 5 of them were HLA-DR4 positive. Three of the 6 showed a first-phase insulin response below the first percentile of normal controls. Our data indicate that in population-based studies CIAA can be considered as a high risk marker for impaired beta-cell function in non-diabetic ICA-positive individuals