Influence of excesses of volatile elements on structure and composition of solution derived lead-free (Bi0.50Na0.50)1xBaxTiO3 thin films

The preparation of (Bi0.50Na0.50)1−xBaxTiO3 films requires a compositional/structural control, as they determine the functionality of these materials. We report a systematic compositional and structural analysis on (Bi0.50Na0.50)1−xBaxTiO3 films fabricated by chemical solution deposition. The effects of incorporating Na(I) and Bi(III) excesses are analyzed through the comparison of the compositional depth profiles of stoichiometric films (BNBT) and films containing excesses (BNBTxs). Heterogeneous compositional profiles with larger bismuth content close to the substrate and thicker film-substrate interfaces are observed in BNBTxs, unlike stoichiometric films, which show atomic concentrations that correspond to the nominal composition of the precursor solution. Excesses induce structural differences in depth, observing a shift of the region of coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases (morphotropic phase boundary) toward higher x values and the formation of thick film-substrate interfaces. In contrast, stoichiometric films have homogeneous compositional and structural profiles with the MPB placed close to that described for bulk ceramics.This work was financed by Spanish Project MAT2013-40489-P. D. Pérez-Mezcua acknowledges the financial support of the FPU Spanish program (AP2012-0639). A portion of this research was carried out at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, a national user facility operated by Stanford University. D. Chateigner acknowledges the Conseil Régional de Basse Normandie for its partial financial of the four-circles X-ray diffractometer.Peer reviewe

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Malaria vector species in Colombia: a review

Here we present a comprehensive review of the literature on the vectorial importance of the major Anopheles malaria vectors in Colombia. We provide basic information on the geographical distribution, altitudinal range, immature habitats, adult behaviour, feeding preferences and anthropophily, endophily and infectivity rates. We additionally review information on the life cycle, longevity and population fluctuation of Colombian Anopheles species. Emphasis was placed on the primary vectors that have been epidemiologically incriminated in malaria transmission: Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles nuneztovari. The role of a selection of local, regional or secondary vectors (e.g., Anopheles pseudopunctipennis and Anopheles neivai) is also discussed. We highlight the importance of combining biological, morphological and molecular data for the correct taxonomical determination of a given species, particularly for members of the species complexes. We likewise emphasise the importance of studying the bionomics of primary and secondary vectors along with an examination of the local conditions affecting the transmission of malaria. The presence and spread of the major vectors and the emergence of secondary species capable of transmitting human Plasmodia are of great interest. When selecting control measures, the anopheline diversity in the region must be considered. Variation in macroclimate conditions over a species' geographical range must be well understood and targeted to plan effective control measures based on the population dynamics of the local Anopheles species

Evolución de la estructura cristalina en láminas delgadas de (Bi0.5Na0.5)1-xBaxTiO3 próximas a la Frontera de Fase Morfotrópica

[EN]: (Bi0.5Na0.5)1-xBaxTiO3 (BNBT), which exhibits compositions for the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) where exist an intimate coexistence of the rhombohedral and tetragonal structures, is being considered as promising lead-free alternative to the well known Pb(Zrx,Ti1-x)O3 (PZT). In this work, BNBT thin films were fabricated by chemical solution deposition (CSD) with a wide range of compositions(x~0.050-0.150) onto Pt/TiO2/SiO2/(100)Si substrates. Structural studies by X-ray diffraction (λCu~1.5406 Å) using a four-circle goniometer were carried out to determine the crystalline structure of the films. Rietveld analysis of the experimental X-ray patterns showed different volume fractions of the rhombohedral and tetragonal phases as a function of the Ba2+) content and the coexistence of both phases, characteristic of a MPB region, for x∼0.055-0.080. Finally, Rutherford backscattering experiments (RBS) were performed to determine the compositional profile of the films. This study revealed a homogenous composition of the BNBT films with abrupt film/substrate interfaces.[ES]: El (Bi0.5Na0.5)1-xBaxTiO3 (BNBT), considerado un posible candidato sin plomo para substituir al Pb(Zrx,Ti1-x)O3 (PZT), presenta una frontera de fase morfotrópica donde se da la coexistencia de las estructuras tetragonal y romboédrica. En este trabajo, se han fabricado láminas delgadas de BNBT por depósito químico de disoluciones (CSD) con composiciones comprendidas entre x~ 0.050 y x~ 0.150 sobre substratos de Pt/TiO2/SiO2/(100)Si. En dichas láminas se ha llevado a cabo un estudio estructural empleando difracción de rayos X (DRX) (λCu~1.5406 Å) y un goniómetro de cuatro círculos. El análisis Rietveld de los patrones experimentales de DRX mostró: i) diferentes fracciones volumétricas para las fases romboédrica y tetragonal, en función del contenido de Ba2+ ii) la coexistencia de ambas estructuras, característico de una región MPB, para composiciones con x∼0.055-0.080. Finalmente, se determinó el perfil composicional de las láminas de BNBT por espectroscopía de retrodispersión Rutherford (RBS). Este estudio demostró que las láminas de BNBT presentan una composición homogénea e intercaras abruptas lámina/substrato.This work was financed by Spanish Project MAT2010-15365. D. Pérez-Mezcua is grateful for the financial support of the FPU Spanish program. Dr I. Bretos acknowledges for the financial support of the Juan de la Cierva Spanish program. Dr R. Escobar-Galindo acknowledges support through Ramon y Cajal program (RyC2007-0026).Peer reviewe

Cell differentiation in the retina of an epibenthonic teleost, the Tench (Tinca tinca, Linneo 1758).

Contains fulltext : 80203.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Here we present a detailed study of the major events in the retinal histogenesis in a freshwater epibenthonic fish species, the Tench (Tinca tinca, Linneo 1758) during embryonic, prolarval, larval, and juvenile stages, using classical histological and immunohistological methods, providing a complete neurochemical characterization of retinal cells. We find a morphologically undifferentiated retina during embryonic stages and even at the hatching stage (postnatal day 0, P0). However, the emergence of the different retinal layers occurs in the first postnatal day (P1). Proliferating PCNA-positive cells are found in the retina of all postnatal individuals included in the present study, located in the circumferential germinal zone (CGZ), and in sparse cells dispersed throughout the inner nuclear layer (INL) and the outer nuclear layer (ONL). All neurochemical markers used start to express between P0 and P2. Anti-opsin, -alpha-protein kinase C, -alpha-tyrosine hydroxylase, -glutamine synthetase antibodies stain selectively different subpopulations of photoreceptor, bipolar, amacrine, and Muller cells respectively. Parvalbumin immunoreactivity is detected in amacrine and displaced amacrine cells. Several subpopulations of calretinin-positive ganglion, amacrine, and bipolar cells are detected in tench retina. Islet1 expression is confined to the nuclei of subpopulations of ganglion, amacrine, bipolar, and horizontal cells. All the maturational events described are first detected in the central retina and, as development progresses, they spread to the rest of the retina following a central-to-peripheral gradient. Therefore, tench postnatal retinal differentiation is a remarkable process not observed in the more common models of teleosts used in developmental biology

Morphotropic phase boundary in solution-derived (Bi0.5Na 0.5)1-x BaxTiO3 thin films: Part I crystalline structure and compositional depth profile

In this work, ferroelectric (Bi0.5Na0.5) 1-xBaxTiO3 thin films were fabricated by chemical solution deposition (CSD) with compositions x = 0.050-0.150. Stoichiometric thin films (hereinafter BNBT) and others containing 10 mol% excesses of Bi3+ and Na+ (BNBTxs) were spin coated onto Pt/TiO2/SiO2/(100)Si substrates and crystallized by rapid thermal processing at 650°C for 60 s in oxygen atmosphere. Crystalline structure is studied by X-ray diffraction using Cu anode (λCu = 1.5406) and synchrotron radiation (λ = 0.97354). Rietveld refinement showed the coexistence of rhombohedral/tetragonal phases in the BNBT films for x values close to those reported for (Bi0.5Na0.5) 1-xBaxTiO3 bulk ceramics. Different volume fractions of the rhombohedral/tetragonal phases are detected as a function of the Ba2+ content. An apparent shift of the position of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) is observed in the BNBTxs films. Here, the MPB region appears for nominal Ba2+ molar values of x ~ 0.10 and the experiments using a grazing-incidence synchrotron radiation indicate the existence of a crystalline phase with pyrochlore structure at the film surface. Rutherford backscattering experiments (RBS) revealed that the bismuth excess is not volatilized during the crystallization of the BNBTxs films which present inhomogeneous compositional depth profile and thick BixPt bottom interfaces. The MPB BNBT films with x ~ 0.055 have a homogeneous compositional depth profile without appreciable bottom interfaces. Scanning electron micrographs reveal less porosity and higher grain sizes in the stoichiometric films than in those with Bi3+ and Na+ excesses. © 2013 The American Ceramic Society.This work was financed by Spanish Project MAT2010-15365. D. Pérez-Mezcua acknowledges the financial support of the FPU Spanish program (AP2012-0639). Dr I. Bretos is grateful for the financial support of the Juan de la Cierva Spanish program. Dr R. Escobar Galindo acknowledges support through Ramon y Cajal programme (RyC2007-0026).Peer Reviewe