New features of the layer-by-layer deposition of microcrystalline silicon films revealed by spectroscopic ellipsometry and high resolution transmission electron microscopy

Spectroscopic ellipsometry and high resolution transmission electron microscopy have been used to characterize microcrystalline silicon films. We obtain an excellent agreement between the multilayer model used in the analysis of the optical data and the microscopy measurements. Moreover, thanks to the high resolution achieved in the microscopy measurements and to the improved optical models, two new features of the layer-by-layer deposition of microcrystalline silicon have been detected: i) the microcrystalline films present large crystals extending from the a-Si:H substrate to the film surface, despite the sequential process in the layer-by-layer deposition; and ii) a porous layer exists between the amorphous silicon substrate and the microcrystalline silicon film.

¿Por qué las mujeres con cáncer de mama deben estar guapas y los hombres con cáncer de próstata pueden ir sin afeitar? Oncología, disidencia y cultura hegemónica

El universo oncológico, aparentemente, constituye un ámbito de profundos consensos; aliviar el sufrimiento de pacientes y familias, la búsqueda de una cura efectiva o erradicar el estigma asociado al diagnóstico son objetivos que generan un amplio acuerdo social. Desde una perspectiva cultural, sin embargo, se constata la presencia de ciertas áreas de tensión y disidencia en torno al cáncer. En este artículo, aplicando conceptos analíticos de Gramsci y Foucault, se define en forma de decálogo lugares comunes que como el pensamiento positivo, la feminidad, la prevención o el espíritu de lucha conforman una cultura hegemónica en cáncer de mama enfrentada a los discursos de culturas subalternas como la feminista o ambientalista. Frente a la idea de unidad y consenso, el análisis de la literatura antropológica proporciona una imagen compleja donde la vivencia del cáncer, resignificando la enfermedad como un espacio de conflicto ideológico, es construida en términos de lucha de intereses y proyectos de control social.

Myelin-associated proteins block the migration of olfactory ensheathing cells: an in vitro study using single cell tracking and traction force microscopy

Newly generated olfactory receptor axons grow from the peripheral to the central nervous system aided by olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs). Thus, OEC transplantation has emerged as a promising therapy for spinal cord injuries and for other neural diseases. However, these cells do not present a uniform population, but, instead, a functionally heterogeneous population that exhibits a variety of responses including adhesion, repulsion and crossover during cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Some studies report that the migratory properties of OECs are compromised by inhibitory molecules and potentiated by chemical gradients. Here, we demonstrated that rodent OECs express all the components of the Nogo Receptor complex and that their migration is blocked by Myelin. Next, we used cell tracking and traction force microscopy to analyze OEC migration and its mechanical properties over Myelin. Our data relate the absence of traction force of OEC with lower migratory capacity, which correlates with changes in the F-Actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion distribution. Lastly, OEC traction force and migratory capacity is enhanced after cell incubation with the Nogo Receptor inhibitor NEP1-40.

Correlative microscopy.

In recent years correlative microscopy, combining the power and advantages of different imaging system, e.g., light, electrons, X-ray, NMR, etc., has become an important tool for biomedical research. Among all the possible combinations of techniques, light and electron microscopy, have made an especially big step forward and are being implemented in more and more research labs. Electron microscopy profits from the high spatial resolution, the direct recognition of the cellular ultrastructure and identification of the organelles. It, however, has two severe limitations: the restricted field of view and the fact that no live imaging can be done. On the other hand light microscopy has the advantage of live imaging, following a fluorescently tagged molecule in real time and at lower magnifications the large field of view facilitates the identification and location of sparse individual cells in a large context, e.g., tissue. The combination of these two imaging techniques appears to be a valuable approach to dissect biological events at a submicrometer level. Light microscopy can be used to follow a labelled protein of interest, or a visible organelle such as mitochondria, in time, then the sample is fixed and the exactly same region is investigated by electron microscopy. The time resolution is dependent on the speed of penetration and fixation when chemical fixatives are used and on the reaction time of the operator for cryo-fixation. Light microscopy can also be used to identify cells of interest, e.g., a special cell type in tissue or cells that have been modified by either transfections or RNAi, in a large population of non-modified cells. A further application is to find fluorescence labels in cells on a large section to reduce searching time in the electron microscope. Multiple fluorescence labelling of a series of sections can be correlated with the ultrastructure of the individual sections to get 3D information of the distribution of the marked proteins: array tomography. More and more efforts are put in either converting a fluorescence label into an electron dense product or preserving the fluorescence throughout preparation for the electron microscopy. Here, we will review successful protocols and where possible try to extract common features to better understand the importance of the individual steps in the preparation. Further the new instruments and software, intended to ease correlative light and electron microscopy, are discussed. Last but not least we will detail the approach we have chosen for correlative microscopy.

Gramática aplicada a ELE: la perífrasis “ir a + infinitivo” y el futuro sintético

La presencia en español de dos construcciones —la perífrasis «IR A+Infinitivo» y lasformas verbales sintéticas terminadas en –rá— que pueden alternarse en determinadoscontextos como mecanismos para expresar la futuridad en español ha llevado a unageneralización en el uso de tales construcciones descuidando la vertiente pragmática delas mismas, y, en consecuencia, se ha tendido a ofrecer al estudiante de ELE unaconsideración básicamente gramatical de los usos de la perífrasis y del futuro sintético. Eneste sentido, el objetivo de nuestra propuesta busca establecer las principales divergencias de carácter pragmático que —creemos— deberían incorporarse a la explicación de estos contenidos gramaticales.

Microscopy of Fission Yeast Sexual Lifecycle.

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been an invaluable model system in studying the regulation of the mitotic cell cycle progression, the mechanics of cell division and cell polarity. Furthermore, classical experiments on its sexual reproduction have yielded results pivotal to current understanding of DNA recombination and meiosis. More recent analysis of fission yeast mating has raised interesting questions on extrinsic stimuli response mechanisms, polarized cell growth and cell-cell fusion. To study these topics in detail we have developed a simple protocol for microscopy of the entire sexual lifecycle. The method described here is easily adjusted to study specific mating stages. Briefly, after being grown to exponential phase in a nitrogen-rich medium, cell cultures are shifted to a nitrogen-deprived medium for periods of time suited to the stage of the sexual lifecycle that will be explored. Cells are then mounted on custom, easily built agarose pad chambers for imaging. This approach allows cells to be monitored from the onset of mating to the final formation of spores.

3D kinematics of the near-IR HH 223 outflow in L723

In this work, we derive the full 3D kinematics of the near-infrared outflow HH 223, located in the dark cloud Lynds 723 (L723), where a well-defined quadrupolar CO outflow is found. HH 223 appears projected on to the two lobes of the eastwest CO outflow. The radio continuum source VLA 2, towards the centre of the CO outflow, harbours a multiple system of low-mass young stellar objects. One of the components has been proposed to be the exciting source of the eastwest CO outflow. From the analysis of the kinematics, we get further evidence on the relationship between the near-infrared and CO outflows and on the location of their exciting source. The proper motions were derived using multi-epoch, narrow-band H2 (2.122 μm line) images. Radial velocities were derived from the 2.122 μm line of the spectra. Because of the extended (∼5 arcmin), S-shaped morphology of the target, the spectra were obtained with the multi-object-spectroscopy (MOS) observing mode using the instrument Long-Slit Intermediate Resolution Infrared Spectrograph (LIRIS) at the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope. To our knowledge, this work is the first time that MOS observing mode has been successfully used in the near-infrared range for an extended target.

Preparación y caracterización de la zeolita MCM-22 y de su precursor laminar

The layered precursor of MCM-22 was prepared with different Si/Al ratios: 15, 25, 50, 100 and ¥. Upon heat treatment these precursors form MCM-22 zeolite. Both layered precursor and MCM-22 zeolite were characterized by several techniques: Chemical Analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Pore Analysis by N2 and Ar adsorption, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) and Temperature Programmed Desorption of ammonium (TPD).

Fotoluminescência e adsorção de CO2 em nanopartículas de CaTiO3 dopadas com lantânio

Ca1-xLa xTiO3 powders were prepared by the polymeric precursor method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 and CO2 adsorption were used for the microstructural and surface characterization of the powders. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) was observed in Ca1-xLa xTiO3 amorphous particles. The PL intensity of these powders was found to be dependent on the lanthanum molar concentration.

Monomer conversion of composite dental resins photoactivated by a halogen lamp and a LED: a FT-Raman spectroscopy study

Eighteen circular blocks of resins cured either by a LED or a halogen lamp (20, 40 and 60 s), had their top (T) and bottom (B) surfaces studied using a FT-Raman spectrometer. Systematic changes in the intensity of the methacrylate C=C stretching mode at 1638 cm-1 as a function of exposure duration were observed. The calculated degree of conversion (DC) ranged from 45.0% (B) to 52.0% (T) and from 49.0% (B) to 55.0% (T) for the LED and halogen lamp, respectively. LED and halogen light produced similar DC values with 40 and 60 s of irradiation.

Dynamic electrostatic force microscopy in liquid media

We present the implementation of dynamic electrostatic force microscopy in liquid media. This implementation enables the quantitative imaging of local dielectric properties of materials in electrolyte solutions with nanoscale spatial resolution. Local imaging capabilities are obtained by probing the frequency-dependent and ionic concentration-dependent electrostatic forces at high frequency (>1 MHz), while quantification of the interaction forces is obtained with finite-element numerical calculations. The results presented open a wide range of possibilities in a number of fields where the dielectric properties of materials need to be probed at the nanoscale and in a liquid environment.

Dynamic electrostatic force microscopy in liquid media

We present the implementation of dynamic electrostatic force microscopy in liquid media. This implementation enables the quantitative imaging of local dielectric properties of materials in electrolyte solutions with nanoscale spatial resolution. Local imaging capabilities are obtained by probing the frequency-dependent and ionic concentration-dependent electrostatic forces at high frequency (>1 MHz), while quantification of the interaction forces is obtained with finite-element numerical calculations. The results presented open a wide range of possibilities in a number of fields where the dielectric properties of materials need to be probed at the nanoscale and in a liquid environment.

Gramática aplicada a ELE: la perífrasis “ir a + infinitivo” y el futuro sintético

La presencia en español de dos construcciones —la perífrasis «IR A+Infinitivo» y lasformas verbales sintéticas terminadas en –rá— que pueden alternarse en determinadoscontextos como mecanismos para expresar la futuridad en español ha llevado a unageneralización en el uso de tales construcciones descuidando la vertiente pragmática delas mismas, y, en consecuencia, se ha tendido a ofrecer al estudiante de ELE unaconsideración básicamente gramatical de los usos de la perífrasis y del futuro sintético. Eneste sentido, el objetivo de nuestra propuesta busca establecer las principales divergencias de carácter pragmático que —creemos— deberían incorporarse a la explicación de estos contenidos gramaticales.

Desenvolvimento e validação de metodologia analítica por CLAE-IR para determinação de artemisinina em Artemisia annua L

The aim of this work was to develop and validate an analytical methodology for determination of artemisinin used as antimalaric. The method was based on high performace liquid chromatography, using a CN column with mobile phase composed of methanol : H2O 50:50 (V/V). The results showed that the method presented linearity from 50 to 1500 µg/mL. It was considered selective, accurate, precise according to the specific resolution from ANVISA, the Brazilian regulatory agency.

Síntese e estudo de ortossilicatos de zinco luminescentes com aplicação da técnica sol-gel

Usually, the concepts of the Sol-Gel technique are not applied in experimental chemistry courses. This work presents a feasible experiment for chemistry instruction, which involves the synthesis of luminescent materials - Zn2SiO4, with and without Mn2+ as a dopant - by the Sol-Gel technique. The obtained materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and luminescence measures by UV-vis spectroscopy. The results allow the students to confirm the luminescent properties of the zinc orthosilicate luminophores as well as the structural features expected from literature data.