Bent Polytypic ZnSe and CdSe Nanowires Probed by Photoluminescence

Nanowires (NWs) have witnessed tremendous development over the past two decades owing to their varying potential applications. Semiconductor NWs often contain stacking faults due to the presence of coexisting phases, which frequently hampers their use. Herein, it is investigated how stacking faults affect the optical properties of bent ZnSe and CdSe NWs, which are synthesized using the vapor transport method. Polytypic zinc blende–wurtzite structures are produced for both these NWs by altering the growth conditions. The NWs are bent by the mechanical buckling of poly(dimethylsilioxane), and micro‐photoluminescence (PL) spectra were then collected for individual NWs with various bending strains (0–2%). The PL measurements show peak broadening and red shifts of the near‐band‐edge emission as the bending strain increases, indicating that the bandgap decreases with increasing the bending strain. Remarkably, the bandgap decrease is more significant for the polytypic NWs than for the single phase NWs. This work provides insights into flexible electronic devices of 1D nanostructures by engineering the polytypic structures.     

A comparison study of conventional construction methods and outrigger damper system for the compensation of differential column shortening in high-rise buildings

The outrigger and belt truss system is commonly used as one of the structural systems to effectively control the excessive drift due to lateral load and minimize the risk of structural and non-structural damage. However, this prominent structural system has a demerit of excessive stressing to structural and nonstructural members during construction due to differential column shortening. In this paper, several potential construction methods managing the outrigger to perimeter column joints experiencing differential column shortening are discussed. These methods include fixed joint without any adjustment, delayed joint, delayed joint with shim plate adjustment, and outrigger damper (or lock-up-device) installed joint. Based on our research through computer analysis, large scale laboratory test, shake table test and real installation of the apparatus to a high-rise project, the building with outrigger damper or lock-up-device system has many advantages in terms of building performance, construction convenience, quality control and cost reduction.     

Performance‐based evaluation and strengthening of tall buildings in the Los Angeles region by using Bayesian structural reliability

This paper presents the motivation and the mathematics required for the introduction of Bayesian structural reliability theory into the process of evaluating and strengthening any tall building located in the Los Angeles region. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fining Behavior in Alkaline Earth Aluminoborosilicate Melts Doped with As2O5 and SnO2

In this work the gas evolution behavior and the fining ability of the alkali‐free alkaline earth aluminoborosilicate glass batches doped with As₂O₅ or SnO₂ were examined, and the redox behavior of As and Sn ion in the corresponding fined melts was investigated by square wave voltammetry. The evolved gas analysis showed a distinct difference at begin temperature of O₂ emission and in evolved O₂ volume between glass batches doped with As₂O₅ and SnO₂. One peak due to reduction of As⁵⁺ to As³⁺ or Sn⁴⁺ to Sn²⁺ was shown in the voltammograms. Glass batch doped with SnO₂ showed better fining in the first fining zone, but batch doped with As₂O₅ is more excellent in the overall fining inclusive of the second fining. This difference in fining behavior was discussed by combination of O₂ evolution from batches and redox ratio in melts. Finally, it was suggested that the earlier oxidation of As ion in the second fining zone contributed to the excellent fining of melts.     

Difluoromethylornithine Induces Apoptosis through Regulation of AP-1 Signaling via JNK Phosphorylation in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), has promising activity against various cancers and a tolerable safety profile for long-term use as a chemopreventive agent. However, the anti-tumor effects of DFMO in ovarian cancer cells have not been entirely understood. Our study aimed to identify the effects and mechanism of DFMO in epithelial ovarian cancer cells using SKOV-3 cells. Treatment with DFMO resulted in a significantly reduced cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. DFMO treatment inhibited the activity and downregulated the expression of ODC in ovarian cancer cells. The reduction in cell viability was reversed using polyamines, suggesting that polyamine depletion plays an important role in the anti-tumor activity of DFMO. Additionally, significant changes in Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bax protein levels, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were observed, indicating the apoptotic effects of DFMO. We also found that the effect of DFMO was mediated by AP-1 through the activation of upstream JNK via phosphorylation. Moreover, DFMO enhanced the effect of cisplatin, thus showing a possibility of a synergistic effect in treatment. In conclusion, treatment with DFMO alone, or in combination with cisplatin, could be a promising treatment for ovarian cancer.     

Generation of a Dystrophin Mutant in Dog by Nuclear Transfer Using CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Somatic Cells: A Preliminary Study

Dystrophinopathy is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which lead to progressive muscle degeneration, necrosis, and finally, death. Recently, golden retrievers have been suggested as a useful animal model for studying human dystrophinopathy, but the model has limitations due to difficulty in maintaining the genetic background using conventional breeding. In this study, we successfully generated a dystrophin mutant dog using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and somatic cell nuclear transfer. The dystrophin mutant dog displayed phenotypes such as elevated serum creatine kinase, dystrophin deficiency, skeletal muscle defects, an abnormal electrocardiogram, and avoidance of ambulation. These results indicate that donor cells with CRISPR/Cas9 for a specific gene combined with the somatic cell nuclear transfer technique can efficiently produce a dystrophin mutant dog, which will help in the successful development of gene therapy drugs for dogs and humans.     

Characterization of Mass and Swelling of Hydrogel Microstructures using MEMS Resonant Mass Sensor Arrays

The use of hydrogels for biomedical engineering, and for the development of biologically inspired cellular systems at the microscale, is advancing at a rapid pace. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonant mass sensors enable the mass measurement of a range of materials. The integration of hydrogels onto MEMS resonant mass sensors is demonstrated, and these sensors are used to characterize the hydrogel mass and swelling characteristics. The mass values obtained from resonant frequency measurements of poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (PEGDA) microstructures match well with the values independently verified through volume measurements. The sensors are also used to measure the influence of fluids of similar and greater density on the mass measurements of microstructures. The data show a size-dependent increase in gel mass when fluid density is increased. Lastly, volume comparisons of bulk hydrogels with a range polymer concentration (5% to 100% (v/v)) show a non-linear swelling trend.