Combinatorial synthesis of heteroepitaxial, multi-cation, thin-films via pulsed laser deposition coupled with in-situ, chemical and structural characterization.

Combinatorial synthesis via a continuous composition spread is an excellent route to develop thin-film libraries as it is both time- and cost-efficient. Creating libraries of functional, multicomponent, complex oxide films requires excellent control over the synthesis parameters combined with high-throughput analytical feedback. A reliable, high-throughput, in-situ characterization analysis method is required to meet the crucial need to rapidly screen materials libraries. Here, we report on the combination of two in-situ techniques-(a) Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) for heteroepitaxial characterization and a newly developed compositional analysis technique, low-angle x-ray spectroscopy (LAXS), to map the chemical composition profile of combinatorial heteroepitaxial complex oxide films deposited using a continuous composition spread method via pulsed laser deposition. This is accomplished using a unique state-of-the-art combinatorial growth system with a fully synchronized four-axis mechanical substrate stage without shadow masks, alternating acquisition of chemical compositional data using LAXS at various different positions on the [Formula: see text] 41 mm [Formula: see text] 41 mm range and sequential deposition of multilayers of SrTiO[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on a 2-inch (50.8 mm) [Formula: see text] wafer in a single growth run. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) is used to calibrate and validate the compositions determined by LAXS. This study shows the feasibility of combinatorial synthesis of heteroepitaxial, functional complex oxide films at wafer-scale via two essential in-situ characterization tools-RHEED for structural analysis or heteroepitaxy and LAXS for compositional characterization. This is a powerful technique for development of new films with optimized heteroepitaxy and composition.

Diagonal nematicity in the pseudogap phase of HgBa2CuO4+δ.

The pseudogap phenomenon in the cuprates is arguably the most mysterious puzzle in the field of high-temperature superconductivity. The tetragonal cuprate HgBa2CuO4+δ, with only one CuO2 layer per primitive cell, is an ideal system to tackle this puzzle. Here, we measure the magnetic susceptibility anisotropy within the CuO2 plane with exceptionally high-precision magnetic torque experiments. Our key finding is that a distinct two-fold in-plane anisotropy sets in below the pseudogap temperature T*, which provides thermodynamic evidence for a nematic phase transition with broken four-fold symmetry. Surprisingly, the nematic director orients along the diagonal direction of the CuO2 square lattice, in sharp contrast to the bond nematicity along the Cu-O-Cu direction. Another remarkable feature is that the enhancement of the diagonal nematicity with decreasing temperature is suppressed around the temperature at which short-range charge-density-wave formation occurs. Our result suggests a competing relationship between diagonal nematic and charge-density-wave order in HgBa2CuO4+δ.

Committee II: Guidelines for cytologic sampling techniques of lung and mediastinal lymph nodes.

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology has developed a set of guidelines for pulmonary cytology including indications for bronchial brushings, washings, and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), technical recommendations for cytological sampling, recommended terminology and classification schemes, recommendations for ancillary testing and recommendations for post-cytological management and follow-up. All recommendations are based on the expertise of the authors, an extensive literature review and feedback from presentations at national and international conferences. This document selectively presents the results of these discussions. The present document summarizes recommendations regarding techniques used to obtain cytological and small histologic specimens from the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes including rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), and the triage of specimens for immunocytochemical and molecular studies.

Immune responses induced by co-infection with Capillaria hepatica in Clonorchis sinensis-infected rats.

Clonorchis sinensis and Capillaria hepatica are zoonotic parasites that mainly infect the liver and cause serious liver disorders. However, immunological parameters induced by co-infection with these parasites remain unknown. In this study, for the first time, we investigated immunological profiles induced by co-infection with C. hepatica (CH) in C. sinensis (CS)-infected rats (Sprague-Dawley). Rats were infected primarily with 50 metacercariae of C. sinensis; 4 weeks later, they were subsequently infected with 1000 infective C. hepatica eggs. Significantly higher levels of C. sinensis- or C. hepatica-specific IgG antibodies were found in the sera of rats. Interestingly, no cross-reacting antibody was observed between C. sinensis and C. hepatica infections. Significantly raised eosinophil levels were found in the blood of C. sinensis/C. hepatica co-infected rats (CS + CH) compared to the blood of rats infected singly with C. sinensis. Co-infected rats showed significantly higher levels of lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production compared to a single C. sinensis infection. The worm burden of C. sinensis was significantly reduced in co-infected rats compared to the single C. sinensis infection. These results indicate that the eosinophils, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production induced by subsequent infection with C. hepatica in C. sinensis-infected rats might contribute to the observed C. sinensis worm reduction.

Frustration-driven C 4 symmetric order in a naturally-heterostructured superconductor Sr2VO3FeAs.

A subtle balance between competing interactions in iron-based superconductors (FeSCs) can be tipped by additional interfacial interactions in a heterostructure, often inducing exotic phases with unprecedented properties. Particularly when the proximity-coupled layer is magnetically active, rich phase diagrams are expected in FeSCs, but this has not been explored yet. Here, using high-accuracy 75As and 51V nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, we investigate an electronic phase that emerges in the FeAs layer below T 0 ~ 155 K of Sr2VO3FeAs, a naturally assembled heterostructure of an FeSC and a Mott-insulating vanadium oxide. We find that frustration of the otherwise dominant Fe stripe and V Neel fluctuations via interfacial coupling induces a charge/orbital order in the FeAs layers, without either static magnetism or broken C 4 symmetry, while suppressing the Neel antiferromagnetism in the SrVO3 layers. These findings demonstrate that the magnetic proximity coupling stabilizes a hidden order in FeSCs, which may also apply to other strongly correlated heterostructures.

Structural "δ Doping" to Control Local Magnetization in Isovalent Oxide Heterostructures.

Modulation and δ-doping strategies, in which atomically thin layers of charged dopants are precisely deposited within a heterostructure, have played enabling roles in the discovery of new physical behavior in electronic materials. Here, we demonstrate a purely structural "δ-doping" strategy in complex oxide heterostructures, in which atomically thin manganite layers are inserted into an isovalent manganite host, thereby modifying the local rotations of corner-connected MnO_{6} octahedra. Combining scanning transmission electron microscopy, polarized neutron reflectometry, and density functional theory, we reveal how local magnetic exchange interactions are enhanced within the spatially confined regions of suppressed octahedral rotations. The combined experimental and theoretical results illustrate the potential to utilize noncharge-based approaches to "doping" in order to enhance or suppress functional properties within spatially confined regions of oxide heterostructures.

Giant suppression of phononic heat transport in a quantum magnet BiCu2PO6.

Thermal transport of quantum magnets has elucidated the nature of low energy elementary excitations and complex interplay between those excited states via strong scattering of thermal carriers. BiCu2PO6 is a unique frustrated spin-ladder compound exhibiting highly anisotropic spin excitations that contain both itinerant and localized dispersion characters along the b- and a-axes respectively. Here, we investigate thermal conductivity κ of BiCu2PO6 under high magnetic fields (H) of up to 30 tesla. A dip-feature in κ, located at ~15 K at zero-H along all crystallographic directions, moves gradually toward lower temperature (T) with increasing H, thus resulting in giant suppression by a factor of ~30 near the critical magnetic field of Hc ≅ 23.5 tesla. The giant H- and T-dependent suppression of κ can be explained by the combined result of resonant scattering of phononic heat carriers with magnetic energy levels and increased phonon scattering due to enhanced spin fluctuation at Hc, unequivocally revealing the existence of strong spin-phonon coupling. Moreover, we find an experimental indication that the remaining magnetic heat transport along the b-axis becomes almost gapless at the magnetic quantum critical point realized at Hc.

Does collagenase injection disrupt or digest the Dupuytren's cord: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

UNLABELLED: Collagenase clostridium histolyticum has been extensively studied as a treatment modality for Dupuytren's contracture. Its mechanism of action has been documented. It is unknown whether injected collagenase weakens the Dupuytren's cord sufficiently to cause failure during manipulation or if there is digestion and reduction in cord volume. We examined five patients with isolated contractures of the ring or middle metacarpalphalangeal (MP) joint using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to injection with collagenase and again 1 month following injection. All patients had full correction after manipulation which was maintained at follow-up. The Dupuytren's cord was evaluated with respect to volume, signal intensity, inflammatory changes and continuity. Additionally, signal intensity changes of the flexor tendons and neurovascular structures were recorded. MRI demonstrated cord discontinuity, significant reduction of cord volume and a significant increase in cord signal intensity after treatment with collagenase. There was a slight increase in flexor tendon signal intensity that was not significant. These findings suggest that there may be local chemical dissolution of the cord. Future studies may establish whether or not this will have prognostic implications in terms of correction and recurrence following collagenase injection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Quadratic Fermi node in a 3D strongly correlated semimetal.

Strong spin-orbit coupling fosters exotic electronic states such as topological insulators and superconductors, but the combination of strong spin-orbit and strong electron-electron interactions is just beginning to be understood. Central to this emerging area are the 5d transition metal iridium oxides. Here, in the pyrochlore iridate Pr2Ir2O7, we identify a non-trivial state with a single-point Fermi node protected by cubic and time-reversal symmetries, using a combination of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. Owing to its quadratic dispersion, the unique coincidence of four degenerate states at the Fermi energy, and strong Coulomb interactions, non-Fermi liquid behaviour is predicted, for which we observe some evidence. Our discovery implies that Pr2Ir2O7 is a parent state that can be manipulated to produce other strongly correlated topological phases, such as topological Mott insulator, Weyl semimetal, and quantum spin and anomalous Hall states.

High throughput optical lithography by scanning a massive array of bowtie aperture antennas at near-field.

Optical lithography, the enabling process for defining features, has been widely used in semiconductor industry and many other nanotechnology applications. Advances of nanotechnology require developments of high-throughput optical lithography capabilities to overcome the optical diffraction limit and meet the ever-decreasing device dimensions. We report our recent experimental advancements to scale up diffraction unlimited optical lithography in a massive scale using the near field nanolithography capabilities of bowtie apertures. A record number of near-field optical elements, an array of 1,024 bowtie antenna apertures, are simultaneously employed to generate a large number of patterns by carefully controlling their working distances over the entire array using an optical gap metrology system. Our experimental results reiterated the ability of using massively-parallel near-field devices to achieve high-throughput optical nanolithography, which can be promising for many important nanotechnology applications such as computation, data storage, communication, and energy.

Peptide fragment of thymosin ß4 increases hippocampal neurogenesis and facilitates spatial memory.

Although several studies have suggested the neuroprotective effect of thymosin ß4 (TB4), a major actin-sequestering protein, on the central nervous system, little is understood regarding the action of N-acetyl-serylaspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP), a peptide fragment of TB4 on brain function. Here, we examined neurogenesis-stimulative effect of Ac-SDKP. Intrahippocampal infusion of Ac-SDKP facilitated the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus. Ac-SDKP-treated mouse hippocampus showed an increase in ß-catenin stability with reduction of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) activity. Moreover, inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling blocked Ac-SDKP-facilitated neural proliferation. Subchronic intrahippocampal infusion of Ac-SDKP also increased spatial memory. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Ac-SDKP functions as a regulator of neural proliferation and indicate that Ac-SDKP may be a therapeutic candidate for diseases characterized by neuronal loss.

Spatial control of functional properties via octahedral modulations in complex oxide superlattices.

Control of atomic structure, namely the topology of the corner-connected metal-oxygen octahedra, has emerged as an important route to tune the functional properties at oxide interfaces. Here we investigate isovalent manganite superlattices (SLs), [(La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3))n/(Eu(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3))n] × m, as a route to spatial control over electronic bandwidth and ferromagnetism through the creation of octahedral superstructures. Electron energy loss spectroscopy confirms a uniform Mn valence state throughout the SLs. In contrast, the presence of modulations of the MnO(6) octahedral rotations along the growth direction commensurate with the SL period is revealed by scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. We show that the Curie temperatures of the constituent materials can be systematically engineered via the octahedral superstructures leading to a modulated magnetization in samples where the SL period is larger than the interfacial octahedral coupling length scale, whereas a single magnetic transition is observed in the short-period SLs.

Evaluation of dietary multiple enzyme preparation (natuzyme) in laying hens.

The current experiment was designed to evaluate the efficacy of adding the multi-enzyme mixture (Natuzyme) into layers' diets with different levels of energy and available phosphorus in relation to laying performance, egg qualities, blood cholesterol level, microflora and intestinal viscosity. Two hundred and fifty 43-wk-old Hy-Line commercial layers were divided into five groups with five replicates per group (10 birds per replicate) and fed one of five experimental diets. A corn and soybean meal-based control diet was formulated and used as a control diet. Two experimental control diets were formulated to reduce energy and crude protein contents (rE) or energy, crude protein and phosphorus contents (rEP). In addition, Natuzyme was added into either rE (rE-Natu500) or rEP (rEP-Natu500) diet to reach a concentration of 500 mg per kg of diet. The experiment lasted 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg qualities such as eggshell color or Haugh unit, total cholesterol, relative organ weights and cecal microflora profiles between any dietary treatments. Natu500 supplementation into the rE diet, but not rEP diet significantly increased egg mass and eggshell qualities such as strength and thickness, but it decreased cecal ammonia concentration and intestinal viscosity in laying hens. In conclusion, the present study shows that adding multiple enzyme preparation could improve performance of laying hens fed energy and protein restricted diets.

Trends in the incidence of and survival rates for oral cavity cancer in the Korean population.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed trends in the incidence of and survival rates for oral cavity cancer in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry were extracted for 10,282 patients diagnosed with oral cavity cancer (C01-C06) between 1999 and 2010 to evaluate the age-standardised incidence rate, annual percentage change (APC) and 5-year relative survival rate (RSR) according to gender and age. RESULTS: In males, the incidence rate slightly decreased [APC of -0.2% (P = 0.6427)]; in females, the incidence rate increased [APC of 3.1% (P < 0.05)]. In males and females, the incidence of oral tongue cancer (C02) significantly increased [APC of 2.2% and 4.1%, respectively (P < 0.05)]. This increase in oral tongue cancer incidence was most prominent in the younger age group (<40 years, APC = 6.1%, P < 0.05). The incidence of buccal cheek cancer increased only among males [APC of 4.8% (P < 0.05)]. The 5-year RSR improved from 42.7% (1993-1995) to 59.5% (2006-2010), corresponding to an increase of 16.8% from 1993 to 2010 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of oral cavity cancer in females increased, whereas it stabilised or decreased in males. However, the incidence of oral tongue cancer increased in both males and females, especially in the younger age group.

Effect of interfacial octahedral behavior in ultrathin manganite films.

We investigate structural coupling of the MnO6 octahedra across a film/substrate interface and the resultant changes of the physical properties of ultrathin La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 (LSMO) films. In order to isolate the effect of interfacial MnO6 octahedral behavior from that of epitaxial strain, LSMO films are grown on substrates with different symmetry and similar lattice parameters. Ultrathin LSMO films show an increased magnetization and electrical conductivity on cubic (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2AlTaO6)0.7 (LSAT) compared to those grown on orthorhombic NdGaO3 (NGO) substrates, an effect that subsides as the thickness of the films is increased. This study demonstrates that interfacial structural coupling can play a critical role in the functional properties of oxide heterostructures.

Nonthermal plasma induces head and neck cancer cell death: the potential involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.

Nonthermal plasma (NTP) is generated by ionization of neutral gas molecules, which results in a mixture of energy particles including electrons and ions. Recent progress in the understanding of NTP has led to its application in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of NTP-induced cell death are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the molecular mechanism of NTP in the induction of apoptosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) cells. The effects of NTP on apoptosis were investigated using MTT, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling, Annexin V assays, and western blot analysis. The cells were examined for production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using DCFCA or MitoSOX staining, intracellular signaling, and an animal model. NTP reduced HNC cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. NTP resulted in alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential and accumulation of intracellular ROS generated from the mitochondria in HNC cells. Blockade of ROS production by N-acetyl-L-cysteine inhibited NTP-induced apoptosis. NTP led to the phosphorylation of c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, but not extracellular-regulated kinase. Treatment with JNK and p38 inhibitors alleviated NTP-induced apoptosis via ROS generation. Taken together, these results show that NTP induced apoptosis of HNC cells by a mechanism involving MAPK-dependent mitochondrial ROS. NTP inhibited the growth of pre-established FaDu tumors in a nude mouse xenograft model and resulted in accumulation of intracellular ROS. In conclusion, NTP induced apoptosis in HNC cells through a novel mechanism involving MAPK-mediated mitochondrial ROS. These findings show the therapeutic potential of NTP in HNC.

Asymmetric orbital-lattice interactions in ultrathin correlated oxide films.

Using resonant x-ray spectroscopies combined with density functional calculations, we find an asymmetric biaxial strain-induced d-orbital response in ultrathin films of the correlated metal LaNiO3 which are not accessible in the bulk. The sign of the misfit strain governs the stability of an octahedral "breathing" distortion, which, in turn, produces an emergent charge-ordered ground state with an altered ligand-hole density and bond covalency. Control of this new mechanism opens a pathway to rational orbital engineering, providing a platform for artificially designed Mott materials.

Does hepatorenal syndrome affect the result of liver transplantation? Clinical observations.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a reversible, functional renal failure that occurs in patients with advanced hepatic failure. However, the reported rates of complete recovery of renal function and patient survivals after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are variable. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes after OLT between patients with HRS and those without HRS (no-HRS). We established exclusion criteria to select study patients who underwent OLT in a single center between January 2005 and October 2008. The exclusion criteria included the following: (1) malignancy, (2) <18 years of age, (3) other than primary OLT, (4) ABO mismatch or hemophilia, (5) no liver cirrhosis, and (6) survival >1 month after OLT. We selected 71 subjects, including 8 HRS and 63 no-HRS patients. No significant differences were observed in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between the 2 groups except for a lower eGFR on the day of and 1 month after OLT in the HRS group: 108.3 ± 40.5 versus 31.4 ± 14.1 mL/min and 85.4 ± 15.0 versus 57.3 ± 12.1 mL/min (P = .000 and P = .014, respectively). The renal function of 6/7 HRS patients who survived >1 year improved. The 1-year patient survival rate after OLT in HRS patients was similar to that without HRS: 95% versus 86% (P = .37). We concluded that HRS had minimal effects on patient survival and return of acceptable renal function.

The effect of anteroposterior laxity on the range of movement and knee function following a cruciate-retaining total knee replacement.

The amount of anteroposterior laxity required for a good range of movement and knee function in a cruciate-retaining total knee replacement (TKR) continues to be debated. We undertook a retrospective study to evaluate the effects of anteroposterior laxity on the range of movement and knee function in 55 patients following the e-motion cruciate-retaining TKR with a minimum follow-up of two years. The knees were divided into stable (anteroposterior translation, < or = 10 mm, 38 patients) and unstable (anteroposterior translation, > 10 mm, 17) groups based on the anteroposterior laxity, measured using stress radiographs. We compared the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores, the Western Ontario MacMasters University Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, weight-bearing flexion, non-weight-bearing flexion and the reduction of flexion under weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing conditions, which we referred to as delta flexion, between the two groups at the final follow-up. There were no differences between the stable and unstable groups with regard to the mean HHS and WOMAC total scores, as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing flexion (p = 0.277, p = 0.082, p = 0.095 and p = 0.646, respectively). However, the stable group had a better WOMAC function score and less delta flexion than the unstable group (p = 0.011 and p = 0.005, respectively). Our results suggest that stable knees with laxity < or = 10 mm have a good functional outcome and less reduction of flexion under weight-bearing conditions than unstable knees with laxity > 10 mm following an e-motion cruciate-retaining TKR.

Gi-protein inhibitor, guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), induces senescence-associated beta-galactosidase positive cell formation through CREB phosphorylation.

AIMS: We evaluated Gi-protein inhibitor, guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate)(GOT)-induced senescence-associated(SA)-beta-galactosidase(Gal) positive cell formation to determine if it occurred through phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-dependent response element binding protein (CREB). MAIN METHODS: IMR-90 human lung fibroblast cells were used. SA-beta-Gal positive cells and senescence-associated heterochromatic foci (SAHF) were determined by assessing blue color formation of substrate, X-gal inside cells and DAPI staining, respectively. Cell cycle and hypodiploid cell formation were assessed by flow cytometry analysis. CREB phosphorylation and molecular changes were analyzed by western blot. KEY FINDINGS: GOT treatment led to SA-beta-Gal positive cell formation and SAHF. CREB phosphorylation increased in response to GOT treatment but then decreased over 24h. SA-beta-Gal positive cell formation increased in response to transient transfection of pS6-RSV-CREB and no changes were detected following CREB knockdown with CREB-siRNA. In addition, CREB phosphorylation was delayed by treatment with the anti-cellular senescence agents, clitocybins which also reduced the number of SA-beta-Gal positive cells. Collectively, our data showed that GOT-induced CREB phosphorylation initiated SA-beta-Gal positive cell formation after which decreased in SA-beta-Gal positive cells. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest for the first time that CREB phosphorylation by GOT could induce cellular senescence as judged by SA-beta-Gal positive cell formation.