Analysis of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide-doped paramagnetic graphite intercalation compound using F very fast magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance

F atoms bonding to paramagnetic/conductive graphene layers in accepter-type graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) are analyzed using very fast magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, which is applied for the first time on ¹⁹F nuclei to investigate paramagnetic materials. In the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide(TFSI)-doped GIC, C–F bonds between fluorine atoms and graphene layers conform to a weak bonding of F to the graphene sheets. TFSI anions intercalated in the GIC do not show overall molecular motion; even at room temperature only the CF₃ groups rotate.     

Solid-state mechanochemical synthesis of CsHSO4 and 1,2,4-triazole inorganic–organic composite electrolytes for dry fuel cells

Inorganic–organic composite electrolytes for use in dry fuel cells were synthesized from CsHSO₄ (CHS) and 1,2,4-triazole (Tz). CHS and Tz were mechanochemically treated in a dry nitrogen atmosphere to obtain composites with xCHS·(100 − x)Tz, where x is the amount (mol) and was varied in increments of 10 between 90 and 50. Structural investigation of the composites indicated that chemical interactions occurred between CHS and Tz after solid-state mechanochemical treatment. The proton conductivity of the composite electrolytes was largely increased by introduction of Tz, particularly in the low temperature region. The composite with x = 80 showed high proton conductivity (6.0 × 10⁻⁴ to 1.60 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) over a wide temperature range (60–160 °C) in a dry atmosphere. These observations suggest that proton transfer in the CHS and Tz composite systems includes the proton-hopping mechanism and self-dissociation. This phenomenon probably supports proton diffusion, especially in low temperature regions.     

Bipolar polymer semiconductor blends of C60‐end‐capped poly(4‐diphenylaminostyrene) and poly(4‐diphenylaminostyrene): One‐pot synthesis and charge‐transport properties

Three types of fullerene (C₆₀)‐end‐capped poly(4‐diphenylaminostyrene) (C₆₀–PDAS) and poly(4‐diphenylaminostyrene) (PDAS) blends were prepared to investigate their potential as bipolar polymer semiconductors. The concentration of C₆₀ in the C₆₀–PDAS/PDAS blends strongly affected the hole and electron drift mobility values; the hole drift mobility decreased with an increase in the C₆₀ concentration. However, the electron drift mobility increased with an increase in the C₆₀ concentration. The hole and electron drift mobility values were almost the same for the 1/2 C₆₀–PDAS/PDAS blend; therefore, this polymer blend was thought to be a bipolar polymer semiconductor. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

A novel hetero-junction Tunnel-FET using Semiconducting silicide–Silicon contact and its scalability

A new type of silicon-based Tunneling FET (TFET) using semiconducting silicide Mg₂Si/Si hetero-junction as source-channel structure is proposed and the device simulation has been presented. With narrow bandgap of silicide and the conduction and valence band discontinuous at the hetero-junction, larger drain current and smaller subthreshold swing than those of Si homo-junction TFET can be obtained. Structural optimization study reveals that low Si channel impurity concentration and the alignment of the gate electrode edge to the hetero-junction lead to better performance of the TFET. Scaling of the gate length increases the off-state leakage current, however, the drain voltage (V_d) reduction in accordance with the gate scaling suppresses the phenomenon, keeping its high drivability.     

Effect of Time Lag in Response to Switching Signal in Interrupted Electric Circuit

In this study, we analyze the characteristics of an interrupted electric circuit. In particular, we focus on a special situation where the switching action of the circuit is delayed because of a time lag in the response to the switching signal. This situation is observed in switching circuits driven by a high-frequency switching signal. However, the fundamental characteristics of this type of circuit have not yet been clarified. To address this shortfall, we assume that a time lag of the response to the switching signal occurs in simple interrupted electric circuits, and investigate how this time lag affects circuit characteristics. First, we show the model of a circuit whose switching action is the same as that of a current-mode-controlled dc/dc converter. Here by using logic circuits, we impose an artificial time lag on the response to the switching signal. Next, we define a sampled data model (i.e., a return map) that we analyze in detail. Based on the return map, we derive one- and two-parameter bifurcation diagrams. Finally, we compare the bifurcation diagrams constructed with time lag to those constructed without time lag. The results clearly show that time lag is responsible for a new structure in the return map that does not occur in circuits with ideal switching. This new return map structure is a key to understanding the essential characteristics of circuits with time lag. Furthermore, the mathematical results are verified experimentally.     

A New Indicator to Differentiate Thyroid Follicular Inclusions in Cervical Lymph Nodes from Patients with Thyroid Cancer

Nodal metastasis is crucial for determining the stage of well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WTC) in patients older than 55. Well-formed thyroid follicular inclusions (TFIs) are occasionally encountered in the cervical lymph nodes (LNs) of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and it is difficult to determine whether they are true nodal metastases or ectopic thyroid tissues (ETT). This study aimed to elucidate the impact of the expression of the DNA damage response molecule TP53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) using immunofluorescence (IF) as a biomarker to differentiate TFIs in cervical LN by comparing the mutation analyses of primary thyroid cancers. The data demonstrated the necessity for the differential diagnosis of true metastases from ETT among TFIs in cervical LNs. PTC-like nuclear features using hematoxylin–eosin staining combined with immunohistochemistry for conventional biomarkers of PTC, including BRAF^V600E protein, were most helpful in identifying metastatic follicular-patterned carcinomas. In conclusion, IF analysis of 53BP1 expression could be an excellent ancillary technique to distinguish metastatic carcinoma or ETT from TFIs in LNs, particularly in cases other than BRAF^V600E-mutated PTC.     

Functional Expression of Choline Transporters in Microglia and Their Regulation of Microglial M1/M2 Polarization

Background: Microglia are key cells of the immune system in the central nervous system and are suggested to be deeply involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. It is well known that microglia have functional plasticity, with an inflammatory M1 phenotype and an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Inhibition of choline transport in macrophages has been reported to suppress the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. However, the role of the choline transport system in regulating microglial M1/M2 polarization has not been fully elucidated to date. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of choline uptake in microglia, and its association with microglial M1/M2 polarization. Methods: The immortalized mouse microglial cell line SIM-A9 was used for [³H]choline uptake and expression analysis of choline transporters. The association between the choline uptake system and the M1/M2 polarization of microglia was also analyzed. Results: Choline transporter-like protein (CTL) 1 and CTL2 were highly expressed in SIM-A9 cells, and CTL1 and CTL2 were localized in the plasma membrane and mitochondria, respectively. Functional analysis of choline uptake demonstrated the existence of Na⁺-independent, pH-dependent, and intermediate-affinity choline transport systems. Choline uptake was concentration-dependently inhibited by hemicholinium-3 (HC-3), an inhibitor of choline uptake, and increased by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Expression of the mRNA of M1 microglia markers IL-1β and IL-6 was increased by LPS, and their effects were suppressed by choline deprivation and HC-3. In contrast, mRNA expression of the M2 microglial marker arginase-1 (Arg-1) was increased by IL-4, and the effect was enhanced by choline deprivation and HC-3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that inhibition of CTL1-mediated choline uptake in microglia preferentially induces M2 microglia polarization, which is a potential therapeutic approach for inflammatory brain diseases.     

Formation of Mg2Cu at low temperature in Mg/Cu super-laminate composites during initial hydrogenation

The formation mechanism of microstructures in Mg/Cu super-laminates composites (SLCs) fabricated by accumulative roll-bonding (ARB) during initial activation was investigated. It is revealed that Mg₂Cu can grow with sufficient growth rate at low temperatures (<453 K) in Mg/Cu SLCs. The growth of Mg₂Cu layers for short growth length is diffusion-controlled. The activation energies for layer growth process of Mg₂Cu layers in Mg/Cu SLCs are 107 ± 8 kJmol^?1 with acid cleaning prior to ARB and 103 ± 12 kJmol^?1 without acid cleaning prior to ARB, respectively, which are about 2/3 of those in MgCu diffusion couples. It is considered that the high density of lattice defects in Mg/Cu SLCs fabricated by ARB contributes the much lower activation energies for layer growth process of Mg₂Cu layers in Mg/Cu SLCs than in MgCu diffusion couples.