Ultra-short-pulse (USP) lasers in the visible range have been shown to have widespread sterilizing effects on pathogens, which is believed to be caused by mechanical perturbations induced in the pathogen that disrupt essential processes leading to inactivation. This paper demonstrates a complete inactivation of Zika virus, a single-stranded enveloped RNA virus, using USP-laser technology and adds to the growing body of literature on the effectiveness of USP-laser inactivation. The paper also surveys previous inactivation studies to draw inferences about the nature of the Zika virus inactivation. We suggest that the method of inactivation in Zika virus is the selective amalgamation of viral capsid proteins into a nonfunctional mass of proteins because of the laser-induced vibrations, which mechanically prevents the release of viral RNA. The survey of similar inactivation experiments also supports the notion that the viral antigens might be unaffected by USP-laser inactivation, justifying the exploration of vaccine development using USP-laser inactivated Zika virus.
Maternal morbidity and mortality rates in the United States continues to rise, with a wide range of contributing factors such as mental illness, cardiovascular disease and systemic inequality. This metastudy provides a holistic view of the research that has been published on the issue of U.S. maternal healthcare from 2000-2022. The patterns of publications on specific topics over time can tell us what is perceived as a current major cause by physicians, public leaders, researchers, and the public. A deeper dive into systemic inequality as a cause of maternal morbidity and mortality highlights it as a major contributor to these high rates, but that progress is slowly being made through the implementation of detection and prevention tactics, as well as accessible prenatal programs and care.
Ultrasonic transducer stacks (modules), which had failed or passed during pulse-echo sensitivity testing, were received from Consortium X. With limited background information on these stacks, the central theme was to determine the origin(s) of failure via the use of thermal and physicochemical characterization techniques.
The optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed that contact electrode layers are discontinuous in all samples, while delaminations between electrodes and pad layer were observed in failed samples. The X-ray diffraction data on the pad PZT revealed an overall c/a ratio of 1.022 ratio and morphotropic boundary composition, with significant variations of the Zr to Ti ratio within a sample and between samples. Electron probe microanalysis confirmed that the overall Zr to Ti ratio of the pad PZT was 52/48, and higher amounts of excess PbO in failed samples, whereas, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed the presence of Mn, Al, and Sb (dopants) and presence of Cu (sintering aid) in in this hard (pad) PZT. Additionally, three exothermic peaks during thermal analysis was indicative of incomplete calcination of pad PZT. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of parylene at the Ag-pad PZT interface and within the pores of pad PZT (in failed samples subjected to electric fields). This further dilutes the electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical properties of the pad PZT, which in turn detrimentally influences the pulse echo sensitivity.
The use of ethanol as carbon source with or without water steam provides uniform carbonaceous deposition on ZnO nanowire templates. The amount of as-deposited carbonaceous material can be controlled by reaction temperature and reaction time. Due to the catalytic property of ZnO surface, the thicknesses of carbonaceous layers are typically in nanometers. Different methods to remove the ZnO templates are explored, of which hydrogen reduction at temperatures higher than 700 °C is most efficient. The ZnO templates can also be removed under ethanol environment, but the temperatures need to be higher than 850 °C for practical use.
Characterizations of hollow carbon nanofibers show that the hollow carbon nanostructures have a high specific surface area (>1100 m2/g) with the presence of mesopores (~3.5 nm). The initial data on energy storage as electrodes of electrochemical double layer capacitors show that high specific capacitance (> 220 F/g) can be obtained, which is related to the high surface area and unique porous hollow structure with a thin wall.
The pseudodielectric functions of epitaxial Ag islands on Si(100) substrates were investigated with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Comparing the experimental pseudodielectric functions obtained for Si with and without Ag islands clearly identifies a plasmon mode with its dipole moment perpendicular to the surface. This observation is confirmed using a simulation based on the thin island film (TIF) theory. Another mode parallel to the surface may be identified by comparing the experimental pseudodielectric functions with the simulated ones from TIF theory. Additional results suggest that the LSP energy of Ag islands can be tuned from the ultra-violet to the infrared range by an amorphous Si (α-Si) cap layer.
Heterostructures were grown that incorporated Ge QDs, an epitaxial Si cap layer and Ag islands grown atop the Si cap layer. Optimum growth conditions for distinct Ge dot ensembles and Si cap layers were obtained. The density of Ag islands grown on the Si cap layer depends on its thickness. Factors contributing to this effect may include the average strain and Ge concentration on the surface of the Si cap layer.
The effects of the Ag LSP on the PL of Ge coherent domes were investigated for both α-Si capped and bare Ag islands. For samples with low-doped substrates, the LSPs reduce the Ge dot-related PL when the Si cap layer is below some critical thickness and have no effect on the PL when the Si cap layer is above the critical thickness. For samples grown on highly-doped wafers, the LSP of bare Ag islands enhanced the PL of Ge QDs by ~ 40%.
polarization and interface geometry is presented. The 3D model gives the same intrinsic
spin polarization and superconducting gap dependence as the 1D model. This
demonstrates that the 1D model can be use to t 3D data.
Using this model, a Heusler alloy is investigated. Andreev reflection measurements
show that the spin polarization is 80% in samples sputtered on unheated MgO(100)
substrates and annealed at high temperatures. However, the spin polarization is
considerably smaller in samples deposited on heated substrates.
Ferromagnetic FexSix alloys have been proposed as potential spin injectors into
silicon with a substantial spin polarization. Andreev Reflection Spectroscopy (ARS) is
utilized to determine the spin polarization of both amorphous and crystalline Fe65Si35
alloys. The amorphous phase has a significantly higher spin polarization than that of
the crystalline phase.
In this thesis, (1111) Fe SmO0:82F0:18FeAs and Pb superconductors are used to
measure the spin polarization of a highly spin-polarized material, La0:67Sr0:33MnO3.
Both materials yield the same intrinsic spin polarization, therefore, Fe-superconductors
can be used in ARS. Based on the behavior of the differential conductance for highly
spin polarized LSMO and small polarization of Au, it can be concluded that the Fe-Sc
is not a triplet superconductor.
Zero bias anomaly (ZBA), in point contact Andreev reflection (PCAR), has been
utilized as a characteristic feature to reveal many novel physics. Complexities at a
normal metal/superconducting interface often cause nonessential ZBA-like features,
which may be mistaken as ZBA. In this work, it is shown that an extrinsic ZBA,
which is due to the contact resistance, cannot be suppressed by a highly spin-polarized
current while a nonessential ZBA cannot be affected the contact resistance.
Finally, Cu/Cu multilayer GMR structures were fabricated and the GMR% measured
at 300 K and 4.5 K gave responses of 63% and 115% respectively. Not only
do the GMR structures have a large enhancement of resistance, but by applying an
external magnetic eld it is shown that, unlike most materials, the spin polarization
can be tuned to values of 0.386 to 0.415 from H = 0 kOe to H = 15 kOe.
A surface disordering was observed in situ when well-defined anatase TiO2 rhombohedral nanoparticles were exposed to 1 Torr H2O vapor and 10suns light inside the environmental TEM. The disordering is believed to be related to high density of hydroxyl groups formed on surface oxygen vacancies during water splitting reactions.
Pt co-catalyst on TiO2 is able to split pure water producing H2 and O2. The H2 production rate drops during the reaction. Particle size growth during reaction was discovered with Z-contrast images. The particle size growth is believed to be a photo-electro-chemical Ostwald ripening.
Characterizations were also carried out on a more complicated photocatalyst system: Ni/NiO core/shell co-catalyst on TiO2. A decrease of the H2 production rate resulting from photo-corrosion was observed. The Ni is believed to be oxidized to Ni2+ by OH• radicals which are intermediate products of H2O oxidation. The mechanism that the OH• radicals leak into the cores through cracks on NiO shells is more supported by experiments.
Overall this research has done a comprehensive ex situ and in situ TEM characterizations following some typical TiO2 based photocatalysts during reactions. This research has shown the technique availability to study photocatalyst inside TEM in photocatalytic conditions. It also demonstrates the importance to follow structure changes of materials during reactions in understanding deactivation mechanisms.