Growth and characterization of hydroxyapatite crystals by hydrothermal method

Hydroxyapatite crystals were grown by hydrothermal method using dicalcium phosphate dihydrate crystals as a starting material. The grown crystals were found to be free from carbonate inclusion. Two distinct morphologies were obtained by following two different growth methods. Controlled slow growth process and rapid growth process results in hexagonal and whisker like morphologies.     

Structural rearrangements near the chromophore influence the maturation speed and brightness of DsRed variants

The red fluorescent protein DsRed has been extensively engineered for use as an in vivo research tool. In fast maturing DsRed variants, the chromophore maturation half-time is approximately 40 min, compared to approximately 12 h for wild-type DsRed. Further, DsRed has been converted from a tetramer into a monomer, a task that entailed mutating approximately 20% of the amino acids. These engineered variants of DsRed have proven extremely valuable for biomedical research, but the structural basis for the improved characteristics has not been thoroughly investigated. Here we present a 1.7 A crystal structure of the fast maturing tetrameric variant DsRed.T4. We also present a biochemical characterization and 1.6 A crystal structure of the monomeric variant DsRed.M1, also known as DsRed-Monomer. Analysis of the crystal structures suggests that rearrangements of Ser69 and Glu215 contribute to fast maturation, and that positioning of the Lys70 side chain modulates fluorescence quantum yield. Despite the 45 mutations in DsRed.M1 relative to wild-type DsRed, there is a root-mean-square deviation of only 0.3 A between the two structures. We propose that novel intramolecular interactions in DsRed.M1 partially compensate for the loss of intermolecular interactions found in the tetramer.     

Preparation and characterization of rare earth orthoborates, LnBO3 (Ln = Tb, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Y) and LaBO3:Gd, Tb, Eu by metathesis reaction: ESR of LaBO3:Gd and luminescence of LaBO3:Tb, Eu

Lanthanide orthoborates of composition LnBO₃ (Ln = Tb, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Y) and LaBO₃:Gd, Tb, Eu have been prepared by metathesis reaction. This method provides a convenient route for the synthesis of orthoborates and its solid solutions at low temperatures. Powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to characterize these borates. Rare earth borates, (LnBO₃) are isomorphous with different forms of CaCO₃ depending on the radius of rare earth ion. LaBO₃, LaBO₃:Gd, Tb, Eu, PrBO₃, NdBO₃ crystallized in aragonite structure, SmBO₃ crystallized in H-form and TbBO₃, EuBO₃, GdBO₃, DyBO₃, YBO₃ crystallized in vaterite structure. The structural analysis of TbBO₃ was carried out. The morphology of these borates was obtained from Scanning electron microscopy. Spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Gd³⁺ are deduced from room temperature electron spin resonance spectrum of LaBO₃:Gd. The luminescence of LaBO₃:Tb, Eu gave characteristics peaks corresponding to Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ respectively.     

The graphene-gold interface and its implications for nanoelectronics

We combine optical microspectroscopy and electronic measurements to study how gold deposition affects the physical properties of graphene. We find that the electronic structure, the electron-phonon coupling, and the doping level in gold-plated graphene are largely preserved. The transfer lengths for electrons and holes at the graphene-gold contact have values as high as 1.6 μm. However, the interfacial coupling of graphene and gold causes local temperature drops of up to 500 K in operating electronic devices.     

Structural and optical properties of Ag2SeTe nano thin films prepared by thermal evaporation

Semiconducting Ag₂SeTe thin films were prepared with different thicknesses onto glass substrates at room temperature using thermal evaporation technique. The structural properties were determined as a function of thickness by XRD exhibiting no preferential orientation along any plane, however the films are found to have peaks corresponding to mixed phase. The XRD studies were used to calculate the crystallite size and microstrain of the Ag₂SeTe films. The calculated microstructure parameters reveal that the crystallite size increases and micro strain decreases with increasing film thickness. The refractive index, dielectric constants and thereby the optical bandgap of the films were calculated from transmittance spectral data recorded in the range 400?C1200 nm by UV?CVIS-Spectrometer. The direct optical bandgap of the Ag₂SeTe thin films deposited on glass substrates with different thicknesses 50?C230 nm were found to be in the range 1.48?C1.59 eV. The carrier density value is estimated to be around 9.8 × 10²¹ cm^?1 for the film thickness of 150 nm. The compositions estimated from the optical band gap studies reveal a value of 0.75 for Tellurium concentration. These structural and optical parameters are found to be very sensitive to the thin film thickness.     

Role of pH and current density in electrodeposited soft magnetic Co-Ni-Fe alloy thin films

The influence of pH and current density on the structural and magnetic behavior of soft magnetic Co-Ni-Fe alloy thin films has been studied. The effect of pH and current density on the compositional, structural, and magnetic properties of the as-obtained films was investigated by EDX (energy dispersive analysis by X-rays), XRD (X-ray diffractometer) and VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer). The EDX results revealed that at the optimized deposition conditions, nickel content was low compared with cobalt and ferrous content. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the deposited films have polycrystalline nature with mixed (fcc-bcc) cubic structure and small crystallite size (<20 nm). The films prepared in optimized conditions exhibit high saturation magnetization (4πM_s value above 2T) and low coercivity (below 160 A/m), which may be due to the reduced crystallite size.     

The Adipose Tissue-Derived Secretome (ADS) in Obesity Uniquely Induces L-Type Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1) and mTOR Signaling in Estrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Obesity increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). This risk is mediated by obesity-induced changes in the adipose-derived secretome (ADS). The pathogenesis of BC in obesity is stimulated by mTOR hyperactivity. In obesity, leucine might support mTOR hyperactivity. Leucine uptake by BC cells is through L-Type Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1). Our objective was to link obesity-ADS induction of LAT1 to the induction of mTOR signaling. Lean- and obese-ADS were obtained from lean and obese mice, respectively. Breast ADS was obtained from BC patients. Estrogen-receptor-positive BC cells were stimulated with ADS. LAT1 activity was determined by uptake of ³H-leucine. The LAT1/CD98 complex, and mTOR signaling were assayed by Western blot. The LAT1 antagonists, BCH and JPH203, were used to inhibit LAT1. Cell migration and invasion were measured by Transwell assays. The results showed obese-ADS-induced LAT1 activity by increasing transporter affinity for leucine. Consistent with this mechanism, LAT1 and CD98 expression were unchanged. Induction of mTOR by obese-ADS was inhibited by LAT1 antagonists. Breast ADS from patients with BMIs > 30 stimulated BC cell migration and invasiveness. Collectively, our findings show that obese-ADS induction of LAT1 supports mTOR hyperactivity in luminal BC cells.     

Supermacroporous hybrid polymeric cryogels for efficient removal of metallic contaminants and microbes from water

A supermacroporous cryogel column of chitosan-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA)-magnetite has been synthesized. The cationic and magnetic properties of chitosan/DMAEMA and magnetite, respectively, allow the adhesion of metals and microbes to the matrix. The large interconnected pores (20–100 µm) with porosity greater than 85% of the cryogels facilitate fast water movement. At lab scale (approximately 2 mL bed volume), static binding capacity of 100% (load: 4.5 ppm arsenic and 2300 ppm chromium) and dynamic binding capacity of 65% for arsenic (load: 58 ppm) was observed. The binding capacity at pilot scale (approximately 300 mL bed volume) was found to be 11.5 mg arsenic and 14.22 mg chromium. There was 100% binding of microbes (Escherichia coli and Streptococci) both at lab and pilot scale. The results were propitious and indicated the suitability of cryogel filter as a single device for the removal of arsenic, chromium, and microbes in field samples.     

Facile Designing of Poly(vinyl alcohol-g-acrylonitrile)-Supported Flexible Graphene Films

Graphene has attracted considerable interest over recent years due to its good electrical and mechanical properties. In the present study, a safe and facile method has been adopted for the preparation of reduced graphene oxide solution and its subsequent homogeneous dispersion into the poly(vinyl alcohol-g-acrylonitrile) film prepared by in situ free radical polymerization method. The prepared polymer-supported graphene films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy techniques.