Redox Mapping of Biological Samples Using EPR Imaging

Under normal conditions, cells meticulously maintain redox homeostasis. However, under abnormal conditions, such as stress, the redox equilibrium is disturbed, leading to a threat to the cellular wellbeing. Techniques that are capable of measurement of the redox status might prove useful in the detection and treatment of adverse conditions that change the cellular redox equilibrium. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging is a unique non-invasive imaging technique that is capable of redox measurements in vivo. EPR utilizes redox-sensitive spin labels, nitroxides. These EPR-active probes are reduced by cellular reducing agents to EPR-inactive species (hydroxylamines). The rate of reduction, among various factors, depends on the redox status of the cell, thus providing information about the redox environment of the region of interest. This review focuses on the principle, method, and application of redox mapping to biological systems.     

Analysis of error recovery schemes for networks on chips

In this article, we discuss design constraints to characterize efficient error recovery mechanisms for the NoC design environment. We explore error control mechanisms at the data link and network layers and present the schemes' architectural details. We investigate the energy efficiency, error protection efficiency, and performance impact of various error recovery mechanisms.     

Microwave Dielectric Properties of Rutile Filled PEEK Composites

Ceramic-filled PEEK composites were prepared by sigma mixing followed by thermolamination. Rutile-grade titanium dioxide, particle size less than 5 μm, was used as the particulate filler in the PEEK matrix to tailor the dielectric properties of the composite matrix. The dispersion of the particular filler in the PEEK matrix was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric properties of the PEEK/TiO₂ composite materials were measured in the low frequency region up to 13 MHz using an impedance analyzer. Dielectric properties in the microwave region were measured using cavity perturbation technique to evaluate the use of the composites as packaging material. Experimental results were compared with theoretically predicted values using the Lichtenecker equation. The present study shows that temperature-stable packaging materials can be realized in the PEEK/TiO₂ systems by judiciously controlling the ceramic filler concentration.     

Insulation reliability of fine-pitch through-vias in glass fiber reinforced halogen-free epoxy substrates

Insulation failures from electrochemical migration is a major reliability concern for achieving reliable small conductor spacings in glass fiber reinforced substrates in the presence of humidity and DC bias voltage. In this study, insulation reliability of fine-pitch copper plated-through-vias in two different halogen-free epoxy substrates was investigated using accelerated testing condition (85 °C, 85 % RH and 100 V DC). The test vehicles included two different conductor geometry: (1) through-via to through-via (spacing: 100 and 150 μm) and (2) through-via to surface-trace (spacing: 75 μm). In accelerated testing, the through-via to through-via test vehicles exhibited insulation failures (failure criterion: 1 MΩ) with a strong dependence on via spacing with through-via spacing of 100 μm showing significantly shorter time to failures compared to test vehicles with spacing of 150 μm. Failure analysis revealed cracking in resin-glass fiber interfaces and within the resin matrix between the failed through-vias. The through-via to surface-trace test vehicles, on the other hand, did not exhibit failures based on the 1 MΩ criterion. However, occurrence of electrochemical migration was visible after optical inspection of the test vehicles. Elemental characterization revealed the presence of copper and chlorine in the resin-glass fiber interface, similar to the previously reported chloride-containing conductive anodic filament compound in printed wiring boards. Accelerating testing and failure analysis in this study indicates a strong dependence of insulation reliability on conductor spacing, geometry and substrate material properties.     

Mechanical measurements of ultra-thin amorphous carbon membranes using scanning atomic force microscopy

The elastic modulus of ultra-thin amorphous carbon films was investigated by integrating atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging in contact mode with finite element analysis (FEA). Carbon films with thicknesses of ～10 nm and less were deposited on mica by electron beam evaporation and transferred onto perforated substrates for mechanical characterization. The deformation of these ultra-thin membranes was measured by recording topography images at different normal loads using contact mode AFM. The obtained force-distance relationship at the center of membranes was analyzed to evaluate both the Young’s modulus and pre-stress by FEA. From these measurements, Young’s moduli of 178.9 ± 32.3, 193.4 ± 20.0, and 211.1 ± 44.9 GPa were obtained for 3.7 ± 0.08, 6.8 ± 0.12, and 10.4 ± 0.17 nm thick membranes, respectively. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used for characterizing the chemical and structural properties of the films, including the content of sp² and sp³ hybridized carbon atoms.     

Effects of Displaced Grids on the Fusion Reactivity of an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) devices consist of nearly transparent, concentric grid electrodes that accelerate ions radially using voltage differences of 10–100s of kV. This paper investigates the effect of offsetting the inner grid with respect to the outer grid. Offsetting the grids changes the electric fields set up between the two grids and hence affects the ion flow into the cathode. Raising the cathode from the mean position has relatively more deteriorating effect than lowering it. In general, displacing the grids from the mean (concentric) condition seems to deteriorate the fusion reactivity. However, fine adjustments can be done to fine tune the fusion reactivity. The microchannels that form in IEC devices move with the cathode grid orientation. The shape and especially the locations of the microchannels are determined by the grid wire spacing of the cathode. New microchannels are also formed when the grid is offset, the region of maximum E-field, which is the direction in which the grid is moved, favors such microchannel formation.     

Quantum dot encapsulation in viral capsids

Incorporation of CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) into viral particles provides a new paradigm for the design of intracellular microscopic probes and vectors. Several strategies for the incorporation of QDs into viral capsids were explored; those functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can be self-assembled into viral particles with minimal release of photoreaction products and enhanced stability against prolonged irradiation.     

Extracellular biosynthesis of magnetite using fungi

The development of synthetic processes for oxide nanomaterials is an issue of considerable topical interest. While a number of chemical methods are available and are extensively used, the collaborations are often energy intensive and employ toxic chemicals. On the other hand, the synthesis of inorganic materials by biological systems is characterized by processes that occur at close to ambient temperatures and pressures, and at neutral pH (examples include magnetotactic bacteria, diatoms, and S-layer bacteria). Here we show that nanoparticulate magnetite may be produced at room temperature extracellularly by challenging the fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium sp., with mixtures of ferric and ferrous salts. Extracellular hydrolysis of the anionic iron complexes by cationic proteins secreted by the fungi results in the room-temperature synthesis of crystalline magnetite particles that exhibit a signature of a ferrimagnetic transition with a negligible amount of spontaneous magnetization at low temperature.