Heavy ion irradiation effects in zirconium nitride

Polycrystalline zirconium nitride (ZrN) samples were irradiated with He +, Kr ++, and Xe ++ ions to high (>1·10 16 ions/cm 2) fluences at ∼100 K. Following ion irradiation, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) were used to analyze the microstructure and crystal structure of the post-irradiated material. For ion doses equivalent to approximately 200 displacements per atom (dpa), ZrN was found to resist any amorphization transformation, based on TEM observations. At very high displacement damage doses, GIXRD measurements revealed tetragonal splitting of some of the diffraction maxima (maxima which are associated with cubic ZrN prior to irradiation). In addition to TEM and GIXRD, mechanical property changes were characterized using nanoindentation. Nanoindentation revealed no change in elastic modulus of ZrN with increasing ion dose, while the hardness of the irradiated ZrN was found to increase significantly with ion dose. Finally, He + ion implanted ZrN samples were annealed to examine He gas retention properties of ZrN as a function of annealing temperature. He gas release was measured using a residual gas analysis (RGA) spectrometer. RGA measurements were performed on He-implanted ZrN samples and on ZrN samples that had also been irradiated with Xe ++ ions, in order to introduce high levels of displacive radiation damage into the matrix. He evolution studies revealed that ZrN samples with high levels of displacement damage due to Xe implantation, show a lower temperature threshold for He release than do pristine ZrN samples.

Polarization effects in polymer FBGs:study and use for transverse force sensing

Bragg gratings photo-inscribed in polymer optical fibers (POFs) are more sensitive to temperature and pressure than their silica counterparts, because of their larger thermo-optic coefficient and smaller Young's modulus. Polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) are most often photo-written in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) based materials using a continuous-wave 325 nm HeCd laser. In this work, we present the first study about birefringence effects in POFBGs manufactured in different types of fiber. To achieve this, highly reflective (> 90%) gratings were produced with the phase mask technique. Their spectral response was then monitored in transmission with polarized light. Polarization dependent loss (PDL) and differential group delay (DGD) were computed from the Jones matrix eigenanalysis using an optical vector analyzer. Maximum values exceeding several dB and a few picoseconds were obtained for the PDL and DGD, respectively. An inverse scattering technique applied to the experimental data provided an estimate of the photo-induced birefringence value arising from the side fabrication process. The response to lateral force was finally investigated for various incident directions using the PDL response of FBGs manufactured in step-index POFs. As the force induced birefringence adds to the photo-induced one, a force dependent evolution of the PDL maximum value was noticed, with a good temperature-insensitivity.

Effects of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells lysosomal function:implications for age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Purpose: RPE lysosomal dysfunction is a major contributor to AMD pathogenesis. Controlled activity of a major class of RPE proteinases, the cathepsins, is crucial in maintaining correct lysosomal function. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulate in the Bruch’s membrane (BM) with age, impacting critical RPE functions and in turn, contributing to the development of AMD. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of AGEs on lysosomal function by analysing the expression, processing and activity of the cysteine proteinases cathepsins B, L and S, and the aspartic proteinase cathepsin D. Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured on AGE-containing BM mimics (matrigel) for 14 days and compared to untreated substrate. Expression levels and intracellular processing of cathepsins B, D, L and S, were assessed by qPCR and immunoblotting of cell lysates. Lysosomal activity was investigated using multiple activity assays specific to each of the analysed cathepsins. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student’s independent T-test. Results: AGE exposure produced a 36% decrease in cathepsin L activity when compared to non-treated controls (p=0.02, n= 3) although no significant changes were observed in protein expression/processing under these conditions. Both the pro and active forms of cathepsin S decreased by 40% (p=0.04) and 74% (p=0.004), respectively (n=3). In contrast, the active form of the cathepsin D increased by 125% (p=0.005, n= 4). However, no changes were observed in the activity levels of both cathepsins S and D. In addition, cathepsin B expression, processing and activity also remained unaltered following AGE exposure. Conclusions: AGEs accumulation in the extracellular matrix, a phenomenon associated with the natural aging process of the BM, attenuates the expression, intracellular processing and activity of specific lysosomal effectors. Altered enzymatic function may impair important lysosomal processes such as endocytosis, autophagy and phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments, each of which may influence the age-related dysfunction of the RPE and subsequently, AMD pathogenesis.