A sonochemical-assisted synthesis and annealing temperature effect of La<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles

This paper reports on the sonochemical-assisted synthesis of La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSMO) nanoparticles (NPs) which have a single-crystalline perovskite structure. The average particle size of LSMO NPs was controlled from about 40 to 120 nm by changing the annealing temperatures from 750 to 1050°C. The particle size, electrical resistivity, and ferromagnetic transition temperature of LSMO NPs were strongly dependent on the annealing temperature. A substantial decrease in resistivity and an enhancement in the insulator–metal transition temperature were found on increasing the annealing temperature. Furthermore, the enhancement in magnetization and paramagnetic–ferromagnetic (PM–FM) transition temperatures was observed as the annealing temperature increases.     

Aqueous Synthesis of Triphenylphosphine-Modified Gold Nanoparticles for Synergistic In Vitro and In Vivo Photothermal Chemotherapy

Triphenylphosphine (TPP) surface-functionalized and F-108 Pluronic-stabilized gold nanoparticles (F-108@TPP-AuNPs) have been synthesized through a one-step approach, leading to well-defined (9.6±1.6 nm) and water-soluble nanoparticles by microwave heating an aqueous solution of TPP-Au^ICl in the presence of a Pluronic polymer under basic conditions. TPP release was negligible under physiological conditions, but enhanced significantly at an acidic pH (5.4) mimicking that of a cancer cell. Laser irradiation (532 nm) raised the temperature of an aqueous solution of F-108@TPP-AuNPs to 51.7 °C within 5 min, confirming efficient light-to-heat conversion capabilities without significant photodegradation. TEM confirmed intracellular localization of F-108@TPP-AuNPs in the cytosol, endosomes and lysosomes of HeLa cells. F-108@TPP-AuNPs were well tolerated by HeLa cells and zebrafish embryos at ambient temperatures and became toxic upon heat activation, suggesting synergistic interactions between heat and cytotoxic action by TPP.     

Superexchange-like interaction of encaged molecular oxygen in nitrogen-doped water cages of clathrate hydrates

Clathrate hydrates are a highly prospective material in energy and environmental fields, but the inherent nature of inclusion phenomena occurring in the stacked water cages has not been completely resolved yet. Investigating the magnetism of guest molecules is a new experimental approach in clathrate hydrate research to open the possibility of icy magnetic applications as a novel material as well as to understand the unrevealed host-guest interactions in icy inclusion compounds. In this study, we observed an indirect spin coupling between encaged dioxygen molecules via a nonmagnetic water framework through the measurement of guest magnetization. This spin coupling is reminiscent of superexchange coupling between magnetic ions through intervening oxygens in antiferromagnetic oxides, such as MnO and CoO. Theoretical calculations revealed that OH(-) incorporated in the framework induced the mixing of perpendicular π* orbitals of two distant dioxygens and that ammonia doping into the hydrate cage leads to a longer lifetime of that orientation.     

Controlling metal–insulator transition in the hetero-epitaxial VO2/TiO2 bilayer grown on Al2O3

Hetero-epitaxial VO₂/TiO₂ bilayers were synthesized on Al₂O₃ substrates by using pulsed laser deposition, and their physical properties with the changes of oxygen pressure and the substrate orientation were investigated. A metal–insulator transition of the VO₂ was observed only in a narrow oxygen pressure range of 5–20 mTorr. As the oxygen pressure increased, X-ray diffraction peak for the (2 0 0)VO₂ shifted to a lower 2θ position, while the metal–insulator transition temperature (T_MI) decreased by ∼7 K. On the other hand, T_MI was largely varied with substrate orientation. The (2 0 0)VO₂/TiO₂ on the c-plane sapphire showed the highest T_MI of about 350 K, while the (0 0 2)VO₂/TiO₂ on the m-plane sapphire displayed the lowest T_MI of about 310 K. The (1 0 1)VO₂/TiO₂ on the r-plane and the a-plane exhibited T_MI∼340 and 330 K, respectively. The observed variations of T_MI with the oxygen pressure and substrate orientation were presumably due to the change in oxygen content of the VO₂ layer and/or in lattice strain.     

Application of Geometrical Form Factor in Measurement of Attenuation Coefficient of Atmosphere

We calculated a theoretical G-factor for the lidar system and compared the calibration effect between this G-factor and a real G-factor in inversion of attenuation coefficient for an appropriately averaged lidar return signal in a homogeneous atmosphere. Examples to consider the effect of misalignment between the transmitter and receiver optical axes in inversion of attenuation coefficient are also presented.     

Hypermethylation of PDX1, EN2, and MSX1 predicts the prognosis of colorectal cancer

Despite numerous observations regarding the relationship between DNA methylation changes and cancer progression, only a few genes have been verified as diagnostic biomarkers of colorectal cancer (CRC). To more practically detect methylation changes, we performed targeted bisulfite sequencing. Through co-analysis of RNA-seq, we identified cohort-specific DNA methylation markers: CpG islands of the intragenic regions of PDX1, EN2, and MSX1. We validated that these genes have oncogenic features in CRC and that their expression levels are increased in correlation with the hypermethylation of intragenic regions. The reliable depth of the targeted bisulfite sequencing data enabled us to design highly optimized quantitative methylation-specific PCR primer sets that can successfully detect subtle changes in the methylation levels of candidate regions. Furthermore, these methylation levels can divide CRC patients into two groups denoting good and poor prognoses. In this study, we present a streamlined workflow for screening clinically significant differentially methylated regions. Our discovery of methylation markers in the PDX1, EN2, and MSX1 genes suggests their promising performance as prognostic markers and their clinical application in CRC patients.Subject terms: Prognostic markers, Methylation analysis     

Application of Geometrical Form Factor in Differential Absorption Lidar Measurement

The peak position for a lidar return signal is calculated and measured for the horizontal path with variation of the laser beam divergence angle (θ), and the inclination angle (δ) between the telescope and laser axes. This work shows that θ and δ are very important parameters to use in the design or alignment of a lidar system receiving a good lidar signal. This paper describes an experimental determination of geometrical form factors in the lidar equation. We receive the signals and determine the geometrical form factors by slope method in a homogeneous atmosphere. The differential absorption lidar equation is evaluated for the dual-pulse lidar system. A method using a geometrical form factor determined by the experiment is introduced to correct the error in C₂H₄ measurement. This method shows good correction of measurement error in lidar dual-pulse operation, especially in the short range.