Sc-doped GeTe thin films prepared by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering.

Radio frequency magnetron co-sputtering method employing GeTe and Sc targets was exploited for the deposition of Sc doped GeTe thin films. Different characterization techniques (scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, sheet resistance temperature-dependent measurements, variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry, and laser ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometry) were used to evaluate the properties of as-deposited (amorphous) and annealed (crystalline) Ge-Te-Sc thin films. Prepared amorphous thin films have GeTe, GeTeSc, GeTeSc, GeTeSc and GeTeSc chemical composition.

Surface functionalization of a chalcogenide IR photonic sensor by means of a polymer membrane for water pollution remediation.

Rapid, simultaneous detection of organic chemical pollutants in water is an important issue to solve for protecting human health. This study investigated the possibility of developing an reusable optical sensor capable of selective measurements utilizing a chalcogenide transducer supplemented by a hydrophobic polymer membrane with detection based on evanescent waves in the mid-infrared spectrum. In order to optimise a polyisobutylene hydrophobic film deposited on a chalcogenide waveguide, a zinc selenide prism was utilized as a testbed for performing attenuated total reflection with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Loxl2 is a mediator of cardiac aging in Drosophila melanogaster, genetically examining the role of aging clock genes.

Transcriptomic, proteomic, and methylation aging clocks demonstrate that aging has a predictable preset program, while transcriptome trajectory turning points indicate that the 20-40 age range in humans is the likely stage at which the progressive loss of homeostatic control, and in turn aging, begins to have detrimental effects. Turning points in this age range overlapping with human aging clock genes revealed five candidates that we hypothesized could play a role in aging or age-related physiological decline. To examine these gene's effects on lifespan and health-span, we utilized whole body and heart-specific gene knockdown of human orthologs in Drosophila melanogaster.

Long noncoding RNA regulation of spermatogenesis via the spectrin cytoskeleton in Drosophila.

The spectrin cytoskeleton has been shown to be critical in diverse processes such as axon development and degeneration, myoblast fusion, and spermatogenesis. Spectrin can be modulated in a tissue specific manner through junctional protein complexes, however, it has not been shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with and modulate spectrin. Here, we provide evidence of a lncRNA CR45362 that interacts with α-Spectrin, is required for spermatid nuclear bundling during Drosophila spermatogenesis.

FOXO Regulates Neuromuscular Junction Homeostasis During Aging.

The transcription factor foxo is a known regulator of lifespan extension and tissue homeostasis. It has been linked to the maintenance of neuronal processes across many species and has been shown to promote youthful characteristics by regulating cytoskeletal flexibility and synaptic plasticity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). However, the role of foxo in aging neuromuscular junction function has yet to be determined.

Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Characterization of As-Deposited and Annealed Non-Stoichiometric Indium Zinc Tin Oxide Thin Film.

A spectroscopic ellipsometry study on as-deposited and annealed non-stoichiometric indium zinc tin oxide thin films of four different compositions prepared by RF magnetron sputtering was conducted. Multi-sample analysis with two sets of samples sputtered onto glass slides and silicon wafers, together with the analysis of the samples onto each substrate separately, was utilized for as-deposited samples. Annealed samples onto the glass slides were also analyzed.

Comparative study of Er-doped Ga-Ge-Sb-S thin films fabricated by sputtering and pulsed laser deposition.

Despite the renewed interest in rare earth-doped chalcogenide glasses lying mainly in mid-infrared applications, a few comprehensive studies so far have presented the photoluminescence of amorphous chalcogenide films from visible to mid-infrared. This work reports the fabrication of luminescent quaternary sulfide thin films using radio-frequency sputtering and pulsed laser deposition, and the characterization of their chemical composition, morphology, structure, refractive index and Er photoluminescence. The study of ErI level lifetimes enables developing suitable deposition parameters; the dependency of composition, structural and spectroscopic properties on deposition parameters provides a way to tailor the RE-doped thin film properties.

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of co-sputtered Ge-Sb-Se amorphous thin films.

Amorphous Ge-Sb-Se thin films were co-sputtered from ${{\rm GeSe}_4}$GeSe and ${{\rm Sb}_2}{{\rm Se}_3}$SbSe targets. Depending on the film composition, linear optical properties were studied by ellipsometry. The Kerr coefficient and two-photon absorption coefficient were estimated using Sheik-Bahae's formalism for co-sputtered films of ${{\rm GeSe}_4} {\text -} {\rm Sb}_2{{\rm Se}_3}$GeSe-SbSe compared to ${{\rm GeSe}_2}{\text -}{\rm Sb}_2{{\rm Se}_3}$GeSe-SbSe pseudo-binary system and ${{\rm As}_2}{{\rm Se}_3}$AsSe as reference.

GaTe-SbTe thin-films phase change characteristics.

A radio frequency magnetron co-sputtering technique exploiting GaTe and ${\rm Sb}_2 {\rm Te}_3$SbTe targets was used for the fabrication of Ga-Sb-Te thin films. Prepared layers cover broad region of chemical composition (${\sim}{10.0 {-} 26.

Amorphous Ge-Bi-Se Thin Films: A Mass Spectrometric Study.

The Ge-Bi-Se thin films of varied compositions (Ge content 0-32.1 at. %, Bi content 0-45.

Synthesis and Application of Monomeric Chalcogenolates of 13 Group Elements.

Utilization of the N,C,N-chelating ligand L (L={2,6-(Me NCH ) C H } ) in the chemistry of 13 group elements provided either N→In coordinated monomeric chalcogenides LIn(μ-E ) (E=S, Se) with unprecedented InE inorganic ring or monomeric chalcogenolates LM(EPh) (M=Ga, In). Complex LGa(SePh) was selected as the most suitable single source precursor (SSP) for the deposition of amorphous semiconducting GaSe thin films using spin coating method.

Mass spectrometric investigation of amorphous Ga-Sb-Se thin films.

Amorphous chalcogenide thin films are widely studied due to their enhanced properties and extensive applications. Here, we have studied amorphous Ga-Sb-Se chalcogenide thin films prepared by magnetron co-sputtering, via laser ablation quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the stoichiometry of the generated clusters was determined which gives information about individual species present in the plasma plume originating from the interaction of amorphous chalcogenides with high energy laser pulses.

Organelle aging: Lessons from model organisms.

Most cellular processes descend into failure during aging. While a large collection of longevity pathways has been identified in the past decades, the mechanism for age-related decline of cellular homeostasis and organelle function remains largely unsolved. It is known that many organelles undergo structural and functional changes during normal aging, which significantly contributes to the decline of tissue function at old ages.

Synthesis, Structure and Application of Intramolecularly-Coordinated Gallium Chalcogenides: Suitable Single-Source precursors for Ga Se Materials.

Studies have been focused on the synthesis of N→Ga-coordinated organogallium selenides and tellurides [L Ga(μ-Se)] (1), [L Ga(μ-Se)] (2) and [L Ga(μ-Te)] (3), respectively, containing either N,C,N- or C,N-chelating ligands L (L is {2,6-(Me NCH ) C H } and L is {2-(Et NCH )-4,6-tBu -C H } ) having Ga/E (E=Se or Te) atoms in 1/1 ratio. To change the Ga/E ratio, an unusual N→Ga-coordinated organogallium tetraselenide L Ga(κ -Se ) (4) was prepared. An unprecedented complex (L Ga) (μ-Te )(μ-Te) (5), as the result of the non-stability of 3, was also isolated.

Drosophila Kruppel homolog 1 represses lipolysis through interaction with dFOXO.

Transcriptional coordination is a vital process contributing to metabolic homeostasis. As one of the key nodes in the metabolic network, the forkhead transcription factor FOXO has been shown to interact with diverse transcription co-factors and integrate signals from multiple pathways to control metabolism, oxidative stress response, and cell cycle. Recently, insulin/FOXO signaling has been implicated in the regulation of insect development via the interaction with insect hormones, such as ecdysone and juvenile hormone.

Laser Desorption Ionization of AsCh (Ch = S, Se, and Te) Chalcogenides Using Quadrupole Ion Trap Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry: A Comparative Study.

Laser desorption ionization using time-of-flight mass spectrometer afforded with quadrupole ion trap was used to study AsCh (Ch = S, Se, and Te) bulk chalcogenide materials. The main goal of the study is the identification of species present in the plasma originating from the interaction of laser pulses with solid state material. The generated clusters in both positive and negative ion mode are identified as 10 unary (S and As ) and 34 binary (As S ) species for AsS glass, 2 unary (Se ) and 26 binary (As Se ) species for AsSe glass, 7 unary (Te ) and 23 binary (As Te ) species for AsTe material.

Photostability of pulsed-laser-deposited AsTe (x=40, 50, 60) amorphous thin films.

AsTe amorphous thin films were fabricated by a pulsed laser deposition technique with the aim of finding photostable layers in as-deposited but preferably in relaxed (annealed) state. Photostability was studied in terms of the films' stability of refractive index and bandgap under near-bandgap light irradiation. AsTe and AsTe layers were found to be photostable in both as-deposited as well as relaxed states.

Retrospective Chart Analysis of Concussion Discharge Instructions in the Emergency Department.

Background: Recognition and diagnosis of concussion is increasing, but current research shows these patients are discharged from the emergency department (ED) with a wide variability of recommendations and instructions.

Objective: To assess the adequacy of documentation of discharge instructions given to patients discharged from the ED with concussions.

Methods: This was a quality-improvement study conducted at a University-based Level I trauma center.

Intramolecularly Coordinated Gallium Sulfides: Suitable Single Source Precursors for GaS Thin Films.

Our studies have been focused on the synthesis of N→Ga coordinated organogallium sulfides [L Ga(μ-S)] (1) and [L Ga(μ-S)] (2) containing either N,C,N- or C,N-chelating ligands L or L (L is {2,6-(Me NCH ) C H } and L is {2-(Et NCH )-4,6-tBu -C H } ). As the result of the different ligands, compounds 1 and 2 differ mutually in their structure. To change the Ga/S ratio, unusually N→Ga coordinated organogallium tetrasulfide L Ga(κ -S ) (3) was prepared and the unprecedented complex [{2-[CH{(CH ) CH }(μ-OH)]-6-CH NMe }C H ]GaS (4) was also isolated as the minor by-product of the reaction.

Pulsed laser deposited GeTe-rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 thin films.

Pulsed laser deposition technique was used for the fabrication of Ge-Te rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 (Ge6Sb2Te9, Ge8Sb2Te11, Ge10Sb2Te13, and Ge12Sb2Te15) amorphous thin films. To evaluate the influence of GeTe content in the deposited films on physico-chemical properties of the GST materials, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and reflectometry, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, optical reflectivity, and sheet resistance temperature dependences as well as variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements were used to characterize as-deposited (amorphous) and annealed (crystalline) layers. Upon crystallization, optical functions and electrical resistance of the films change drastically, leading to large optical and electrical contrast between amorphous and crystalline phases.