Atomic Layer Deposition of Functional Layers for on Chip 3D Li‐Ion All Solid State Microbattery

Nowadays, millimeter scale power sources are key devices for providing autonomy to smart, connected, and miniaturized sensors. However, until now, planar solid state microbatteries do not yet exhibit a sufficient surface energy density. In that context, architectured 3D microbatteries appear therefore to be a good solution to improve the material mass loading while keeping small the footprint area. Beside the design itself of the 3D microbaterry, one important technological barrier to address is the conformal deposition of thin films (lithiated or not) on 3D structures. For that purpose, atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology is a powerful technique that enables conformal coatings of thin film on complex substrate. An original, robust, and highly efficient 3D scaffold is proposed to significantly improve the geometrical surface of miniaturized 3D microbattery. Four functional layers composing the 3D lithium ion microbattery stacking has been successfully deposited on simple and double microtubes 3D templates. In depth synchrotron X‐ray nanotomography and high angle annular dark field transmission electron microscope analyses are used to study the interface between each layer. For the first time, using ALD, anatase TiO₂ negative electrode is coated on 3D tubes with Li₃PO₄ lithium phosphate as electrolyte, opening the way to all solid‐state 3D microbatteries. The surface capacity is significantly increased by the proposed topology (high area enlargement factor – “thick” 3D layer), from 3.5 μA h cm^?2 for a planar layer up to 0.37 mA h cm^?2 for a 3D thin film (105 times higher).     

Characterization of seed storage protein patterns of Heliotropium digynum

Heliotropium digynum, is a shrub that has ecological importance. The height of the plant differs from one population to another and the difference in length of the inflorescence can be attributed to environmental factors, such as rainfall or type of soil and temperature. To date, no study has shed light on estimation in seed samples of H. digynum in Saudi Arabia. So, the aim is to evaluate and characterize the protein patterns of seed storage proteins of H. digynum to be used as fingerprint of this plant in Saudi Arabia. It is collected from different locations in the central region of Saudi Arabia and total protein extraction from plant was compared in SDS-PAGE. The genetic relationships among all cultivars were analyzed using UPGMA and NJ using Total Lab TL and in the same way using Jaccard Similarity Coefficient dendrogram using STATISTICA (ver.8) software. Results, our data show that amounts of protein are different, although they are of the same type or from the same geographical region. Amounts ranged between 22 and 1.5 mg/g of dry weight. Less amount of protein was obtained from the group of samples collected from Dir’iyah area, and the highest amount of protein was from the group of samples collected from Dyrab area in general.     

Intervention action of total flavonoids from root of Ilex pubescens in cerebral ischemic tolerance with blood stasis

The aim of this study was to explore the action characters of total flavonoids from MDQ on cerebral ischemic tolerance with blood stasis. Fully understanding the mechanism of action of total flavonoids from MDQ is helpful for the development of new drugs and the utilization of resources. Male Wistar rat model of blood stasis was established by injecting dexamethasone into the intramuscular side of the thigh. Then they were given related drugs via an intragastric administration for a successive 10 days. After 7 days, the following occurred: firstly, the method of blocking the bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) was used for 10 min, followed by a restoration of perfusion. After 72 h, we performed a temporary occlusion of the rat’s middle cerebral artery for 2 h with an intraluminal thread method. This was followed by reperfusion for 24 h, respectively, to establish the rat model of cerebral ischemic tolerance with blood stasis. Viscosity of the whole blood was measured after the last administration was given blood. Brain was removed, and then the activity of ATP enzyme and T-SOD was determined. To observe the pathological changes of the hippocampus area by HE staining, and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were observed by immunohistochemical method. The rat model of cerebral ischemic tolerance with blood stasis was copied successfully. The whole blood viscosity, the activity of NOS, the content of Gluin in the ischemic brain in the IPC model group and the ischemia–reperfusion group were increased significantly. The activity of ATPase was decreased significantly. Compared with the ischemia–reperfusion model group, the activity of ATPase and the whole blood viscosity in the ischemic preconditioning (IPC) group were increased significantly. The activity of NOS and the content of Gluin were decreased significantly. The degree of pathological injury of the brain tissue was also relieved significantly. Total flavonoids of MDQ were used, improving blood circulation, improving energy metabolism, activating endogenous anti-oxidative capability, enhancing the antiapoptotic effect, and relieving the injury of the nerve cell. Hence, the use of MDQ flavonoids improves the tolerance ability of cerebral ischemia.     

Elucidation of structural and functional properties of albumin bound to gold nanoparticles

Nanoparticle–albumin complexes are being designed for targeted drug delivery and imaging. However, the changes in the functional properties of albumin due to adsorption on nanoparticles remain elusive. Thus, the objective of this work was to elucidate the structural and functional properties of human and bovine serum albumin bound to negatively charged gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Fluorescence data demonstrated static quenching of albumin by GNP with the quenching of buried as well as surface tryptophan in BSA. The binding process was enthalpy and entropy-driven in HSA and BSA, respectively. At lower concentrations of GNP there was a higher affinity for tryptophan, whereas at higher concentrations both tryptophan and tyrosine participated in the interaction. Synchronous fluorescence spectra revealed that the microenvironment of tryptophan in HSA turned more hydrophilic upon exposure to GNP. The α-helical content of albumin was unaltered by GNP. Approximately 37 and 23% reduction in specific activity of HSA and BSA was observed due to GNP binding. In presence of warfarin and ibuprofen the binding constants of albumin–GNP complexes were altered. A very interesting observation not reported so far is the retained antioxidant activity of albumin in presence of GNP i.e. we believe that GNPs did not bind to the free sulfhydryl groups of albumin. However enhanced levels of copper binding were observed. We have also highlighted the differential response in albumin due to gold and silver nanoparticles which could be attributed to differences in the charge of the nanoparticle.     

红壤退化地森林恢复后土壤有机碳对土壤水库库容的影响

亚热带红壤侵蚀退化地实施生态恢复后生物生产力恢复迅速,但土壤尤其是土壤水库的功能并未获得同步恢复,导致土壤水库对于降水和地表径流的调节能力低下,区域性洪涝灾害和季节性干旱依然突出。采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方式,研究了南方红壤侵蚀退化地典型植被恢复类型(马尾松与阔叶树复层林、木荷与马尾松混交林、阔叶混交林)0—60cm土层土壤水库各种库容差异,以及土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳密度分布特征,采用典型相关分析方法对土壤水库库容与土壤有机碳密度两组指标进行相关分析。结果表明:随着土层深度的增加,各森林恢复类型死库容呈上升趋势,兴利库容和最大有效库容呈下降趋势,防洪库容变化趋势不明显,木荷与马尾松混交林兴利库容略高。不同森林恢复类型同一土层土壤总有机碳密度均表现为马尾松与阔叶树复层林木荷与马尾松混交林阔叶混交林,而活性有机碳密度则以阔叶混交林最大。典型相关分析表明,土壤有机碳水平对土壤水库库容的增加具有显著的因果影响关系(P=0.01),其中对有机碳水平起到主导性贡献作用的是水溶性有机碳。因此,对于退化红壤地森林恢复初期,可通过适当密植和立体种植,提高林地生物量和土壤碳密度,并在马尾松等先锋树种针叶林分中补植阔叶乔灌木,以增加土壤活性有机碳含量,增大土壤水库容量,从而有利于土壤水库结构和功能以及退化生态系统的快速恢复。     

l-Arginine supplementation improves rats’ antioxidant system and exercise performance

Reactive species have great importance in sports performance, once they can directly regulate energy production, muscular contraction, inflammation, and fatigue. Therefore, the redox control is essential for athletes’ performance. Studies demonstrated that l-arginine has an important role in the synthesis of urea, cell growth and production of nitric oxide, moreover, there are indications that it is also able to induce benefits to muscle antioxidant system through the upregulation of some antioxidant enzymes, and by inhibiting some pathways of reactive species production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of l-arginine supplementation on performance and oxidative stress of male rats (trained or not), submitted to a single session of high intensity exercise. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, control (C), control+l-arginine (C?+?A), trained (T), and trained+l-arginine (T?+?A). The aerobic training was conducted for 8 weeks. Data of maximum speed and time from tests were used as indicators of performance. Variables related to oxidative stress and antioxidant system were also evaluated. Aerobic training was capable to induce enhancements on animals’ exercise performance and on their redox state. Additionally, supplementation improved rats’ physical performance on both groups, control and trained. Different improvements between groups on the antioxidant capacity were observed. Nevertheless, considering the ergogenic effect of l-arginine and the lack of all positive adaptations promoted by the exercise training, untrained animals may be more exposed to oxidative damages after the practice of intense exercises.     

The use of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole to investigate the short-term effects of oxygen toxicity on carbon assimilation by Pisum sativum seedlings

To study the in vivo short-term effect of hydrogen peroxide on plant metabolism, 2 mol m^?3 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, a catalase inhibitor, was applied through the transpiration stream to Pisum sativum seedlings, and gas exchange characteristics, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase activities, and levels of hydrogen peroxide and formate were determined. Carbon dioxide assimilation rates were inhibited after the addition of aminotriazole: photorespiratory conditions exacerbated this inhibition. Carbon dioxide response curves showed that aminotriazole reduced both the RuBP regeneration rate and the efficiency of the carboxylation reaction of Rubisco. Catalase activity was completely inhibited 200 min after the application of this inhibitor, but no concomitant increase in H₂O₂ concentration was found. Under enhanced photorespiratory conditions, H₂O₂ concentrations increased. This suggests that under normal environmental conditions hydrogen peroxide is metabolized via alternative mechanisms. The aminotriazole treatment had no effect on the ascotbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, but caused a substantial increase in the formate pool size. These results suggest that hydrogen peroxide is metabolized by reacting with glyoxylate to produce formate and CO₂. The increased production of formate may reduce the flow of carbon through the normal photorespiratory pathway and may also be used anaplerotically as a precursor of products of 1-C metabolism other than serine. This would prevent the return of photorespiratory carbon to the RPP pathway, leading to a smaller RuBP pool size which would in turn result in a decrease in carboxylation conductance (carboxylation efficiency) and regeneration rate of RuBP.