High‐mobility solution‐processed zinc oxide thin films on silicon nitride

A high effective electron mobility of 33 cm² V^–1 s^–1 was achieved in solution‐processed undoped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films. The introduction of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) as growth substrate resulted in a mobility improvement by a factor of 2.5 with respect to the commonly used silicon oxide (SiO₂). The solution‐processed ZnO thin films grown on Si₃N₄, prepared by low‐pressure chemical vapor deposition, revealed bigger grain sizes, lower strain and better crystalline quality in comparison to the films grown on thermal SiO₂. These results show that the nucleation and growth mechanisms of solution‐processed films are substrate dependent and affect the final film structure accordingly. The substantial difference in electron mobilities suggests that, in addition to the grain morphology and crystalline structure effects, defect chemistry is a contributing factor that also depends on the particular substrate. In this respect, interface trap densities measured in high‐κ HfO₂/ZnO MOSCAPs were about ten times lower in those fabricated on Si₃N₄ substrates. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

     

Beyond Flory-Huggins theory: new classes of blend miscibility associated with monomer structural asymmetry

Flory-Huggins (FH) theory is restricted to polymer mixtures whose monomers are structurally identical, a situation limited to isotopic blends and computer simulations. We investigate the influence of monomer structure on blend miscibility and scattering properties using the lattice cluster theory generalization of the FH model. Monomer structural asymmetry is shown to profoundly affect blend miscibility (T(c),phi(c)), chain swelling (T(theta)), and the scale (xi) and intensity [S(0)] of composition fluctuations. Four distinct blend miscibility classes are identified and experimental evidence for these classes is discussed.     

Gibbs ensemble simulation of nematic-isotropic coexistence in a liquid crystal mixture

The results are presented of Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo (GEMC) simulations examining the nematic–isotropic (N–I) coexistence envelope of a liquid crystal mixture. The system studied is a 50:50 mixture of 1000 generalized Gay–Berne particles with axial ratios 2.0:1 and 2.5:1. For this system, stable N–I coexistence is observed over run lengths in excess of 5 x 10⁵ GEMC sweeps. There is unambiguous evidence of fractionation, the mole fractions of long particles in the coexisting phases typically differing by 11%. The measured coexistence envelope does not conform to the lens shape predicted by Onsager theory; qualitative finite size arguments are given in explanation of this distortion.     

Reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain at 7 T

Ventral and rostral regions of the brain are of emerging importance for the MRI characterization of early dementia, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. Unfortunately, standard single-shot echo planar diffusion-weighted imaging of these regions at high fields is contaminated by severe imaging artifacts in the vicinity of air–tissue interfaces. To mitigate these artifacts and improve visualization of the temporal and frontal lobes at 7 T, we applied a reduced field-of-view strategy, enabled by outer volume suppression (OVS) with novel quadratic phase radiofrequency (RF) pulses, combined with partial Fourier and parallel imaging methods. The new acquisition greatly reduced the level of artifacts in six human subjects (including four patients with early symptoms of dementia).     

Long-range acoustic scattering from a shallow-water mud-volcano cluster

Analysis of reverberation measurements in the Straits of Sicily shows high intensity, discrete, scattered returns 10-20 dB above background reverberation. These returns are due to scattering from mud volcanoes. The reverberation from the mud volcanoes at ranges of 15-22 km is reasonably consistent over these spatial scales (i.e., kilometers) and temporal scales of several hours; measurements separated by 4 years are also similar. Statistical characterization indicates that the reverberation associated with a mud-volcano cluster is strongly non-Rayleigh and that the reverberation can be characterized by a single (shape) parameter, roughly independent of frequency. The non-Rayleigh statistics, with a concomitant increase in the probability of false alarm, indicate that mud volcanoes are a likely source of clutter. Mean target strengths were estimated at 1-11 dB over 160-1400 Hz and are consistent with target strengths measured during a different year at short (direct-path) ranges. Accumulated evidence points to small (order 10 m diameter and several meters high) carbonate chimneys on the mud-volcano edifice as the scattering mechanism as opposed to the edifice itself or scattering from gas bubbles in the water column. Thus, the results represent acoustic scattering from mud volcanoes in a quiescent state.     

Numerical simulations of the mitigation of unconfined explosions using water-mist

Mitigating the effects of explosive blasts has been an important concern for a long time. Water-mist presents an attractive option due to its easy availability, extensive use in the fire suppression area, and non-toxicity. However, its ability to mitigate the effects of blasts is unclear. This research uses multiphase numerical simulations to elucidate some of the issues associated with using water-mist to mitigate explosive blasts in unconfined spaces. Initial multidimensional simulations examine the effect of water-mist on the blast wave generated by a TNT explosive. Results show that the droplets are generally swept outward with the shock wave and in general do not penetrate into the secondary fireball. The water-mist does, however, mitigate the shock-front through vaporization and momentum extraction. Further simulations show that momentum extraction has the dominant role in mitigating the leading shock wave. Parametric studies indicate that droplet size and mass loading play a secondary role to the total amount of water between the observer and the explosive blast. This is a promising result for using water-mist for blast-mitigation, because it suggests that water-mist can be as effective as having a more dense “water wall” surrounding the explosive.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arachidonoyl glycine,an abundant endogenous lipid,potently drives directed cellular migration through GPR18, the putative abnormal cannabidiol receptor

Background  

Microglia provide continuous immune surveillance of the CNS and upon activation rapidly change phenotype to express receptors that respond to chemoattractants during CNS damage or infection. These activated microglia undergo directed migration towards affected tissue. Importantly, the molecular species of chemoattractant encountered determines if microglia respond with pro- or anti-inflammatory behaviour, yet the signaling molecules that trigger migration remain poorly understood. The endogenous cannabinoid system regulates microglial migration via CB₂ receptors and an as yet unidentified GPCR termed the 'abnormal cannabidiol' (Abn-CBD) receptor. Abn-CBD is a synthetic isomer of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and is inactive at CB₁ or CB₂ receptors, but functions as a selective agonist at this G_i/o-coupled GPCR. N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous metabolite of the endocannabinoid anandamide and acts as an efficacious agonist at GPR18. Here, we investigate the relationship between NAGly, Abn-CBD, the unidentified 'Abn-CBD' receptor, GPR18, and BV-2 microglial migration.     

Drug-loaded nano/microbubbles for combining ultrasonography and targeted chemotherapy

A new class of multifunctional nanoparticles that combine properties of polymeric drug carriers, ultrasound imaging contrast agents, and enhancers of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery has been developed. At room temperature, the developed systems comprise perfluorocarbon nanodroplets stabilized by the walls made of biodegradable block copolymers. Upon heating to physiological temperatures, the nanodroplets convert into nano/microbubbles. The phase state of the systems and bubble size may be controlled by the copolymer/perfluorocarbon volume ratio. Upon intravenous injections, a long-lasting, strong and selective ultrasound contrast is observed in the tumor volume indicating nanobubble extravasation through the defective tumor microvasculature, suggesting their coalescence into larger, highly echogenic microbubbles in the tumor tissue. Under the action of tumor-directed ultrasound, microbubbles cavitate and collapse resulting in a release of the encapsulated drug and dramatically enhanced intracellular drug uptake by the tumor cells. This effect is tumor-selective; no accumulation of echogenic microbubbles is observed in other organs. Effective chemotherapy of the MDA MB231 breast cancer tumors has been achieved using this technique.     

Bulk ablation of soft tissue with intense ultrasound: modeling and experiments

Methods for the bulk ablation of soft tissue using intense ultrasound, with potential applications in the thermal treatment of focal tumors, are presented. An approximate analytic model for bulk ablation predicts the progress of ablation based on tissue properties, spatially averaged ultrasonic heat deposition, and perfusion. The approximate model allows the prediction of threshold acoustic powers required for ablation in vivo as well as the comparison of cases with different starting temperatures and perfusion characteristics, such as typical in vivo and ex vivo experiments. In a full three-dimensional numerical model, heat deposition from array transducers is computed using the Fresnel approximation and heat transfer in tissue is computed by finite differences, accounting for heating changes caused by boiling and thermal dose-dependent absorption. Similar ablation trends due to perfusion effects are predicted by both the simple analytic model and the full numerical model. Comparisons with experimental results show the efficacy of both models in predicting tissue ablation effects. Phenomena illustrated by the simulations and experiments include power thresholds for in vivo ablation, differences between in vivo and ex vivo lesioning for comparable source conditions, the effect of tissue boiling and absorption changes on ablation depth, and the performance of a continuous rotational scanning method suitable for interstitial bulk ablation of soft tissue.