Optically defined multifunctional patterning of photosensitive thin-film silica mesophases

Photosensitive films incorporating molecular photoacid generators compartmentalized within a silica-surfactant mesophase were prepared by an evaporation-induced self-assembly process. Ultraviolet exposure promoted localized acid-catalyzed siloxane condensation, which can be used for selective etching of unexposed regions; for "gray-scale" patterning of refractive index, pore size, surface area, and wetting behavior; and for optically defining a mesophase transformation (from hexagonal to tetragonal) within the film. The ability to optically define and continuously control both structure and function on the macro- and mesoscales is of interest for sensor arrays, nanoreactors, photonic and fluidic devices, and low-dielectric-constant films.     

The Reaction of CIONO2 with Submicrometer Sulfuric Acid Aerosol

The measured reaction probability, gamma for the reaction of chlorine nitrate (CIONa(2)) with 60 percent (by weight) sulfuric acid aerosol increases monotonically with particle size at 250 kelvin. The reacto-diffusive length (l, the effective liquid depth over which reaction occurs) derived from these experiments is 0.037 +/- 0.007 micrometer (95 percent confidence level for precision). The reaction probability for the reaction of CIONO(2) with 60 percent sulfuric acid aerosol doped with approximately 7 x 10(-4) M hydrochloric acid at 250 kelvin is larger by about a factor of 4 than in the absence of hydrochloric acid and varies less with particle size (l = 0.009 +/- 0.005 micrometer). These results provide a test of the theory for gas-particle reactions and further insight into the reactivity of atmospheric aerosol.     

FGF-dependent mechanosensory organ patterning in zebrafish

During development, organ primordia reorganize to form repeated functional units. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), mechanosensory organs called neuromasts are deposited at regular intervals by the migrating posterior lateral line (pLL) primordium. The pLL primordium is organized into polarized rosettes representing proto-neuromasts, each with a central atoh1a-positive focus of mechanosensory precursors. We show that rosettes form cyclically from a progenitor pool at the leading zone of the primordium as neuromasts are deposited from the trailing region. fgf3/10 signals localized to the leading zone are required for rosette formation, atoh1a expression, and primordium migration. We propose that the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) source controls primordium organization, which, in turn, regulates the periodicity of neuromast deposition. This previously unrecognized mechanism may be applicable to understanding segmentation and morphogenesis in other organ systems.     

Characterization of step-edge barriers in organic thin-film growth

Detailed understanding of growth mechanisms in organic thin-film deposition is crucial for tailoring growth morphologies, which in turn determine the physical properties of the resulting films. For growth of the rodlike molecule para-sexiphenyl, the evolution of terraced mounds is observed by atomic force microscopy. Using methods established in inorganic epitaxy, we demonstrate the existence of an additional barrier (0.67 electron volt) for step-edge crossing-the Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier. This result was confirmed by transition state theory, which revealed a bending of the molecule at the step edge. A gradual reduction of this barrier in the first layers led to an almost layer-by-layer growth during early deposition stage. The reported phenomena are a direct consequence of the complexity of the molecular building blocks versus atomic systems.     

Electric field-induced modification of magnetism in thin-film ferromagnets

A large electric field at the surface of a ferromagnetic metal is expected to appreciably change its electron density. In particular, the metal's intrinsic magnetic properties, which are commonly regarded as fixed material constants, will be affected. This requires, however, that the surface has a strong influence on the material's properties, as is the case with ultrathin films. We demonstrated that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of ordered iron-platinum (FePt) and iron-palladium (FePd) intermetallic compounds can be reversibly modified by an applied electric field when immersed in an electrolyte. A voltage change of -0.6 volts on 2-nanometer-thick films altered the coercivity by -4.5 and +1% in FePt and FePd, respectively. The modification of the magnetic parameters was attributed to a change in the number of unpaired d electrons in response to the applied electric field. Our device structure is general and should be applicable for characterization of other thin-film magnetic systems.     

Layer-by-layer removal of graphene for device patterning

The patterning of graphene is useful in fabricating electronic devices, but existing methods do not allow control of the number of layers of graphene that are removed. We show that sputter-coating graphene and graphene-like materials with zinc and dissolving the latter with dilute acid removes one graphene layer and leaves the lower layers intact. The method works with the four different types of graphene and graphene-like materials: graphene oxide, chemically converted graphene, chemical vapor-deposited graphene, and micromechanically cleaved ("clear-tape") graphene. On the basis of our data, the top graphene layer is damaged by the sputtering process, and the acid treatment removes the damaged layer of carbon. When used with predesigned zinc patterns, this method can be viewed as lithography that etches the sample with single-atomic-layer resolution.     

Axon guidance and the patterning of neuronal projections in vertebrates

Over the past decade, new insights have been obtained into the cellular strategies and molecular mechanisms that guide axons to their targets in the developing vertebrate nervous system. Axons select pathways by recognizing specific cues in their environment. These cues include cell surface and extracellular matrix molecules that mediate cell and substrate adhesion and axon fasciculation, molecules with contact-dependent inhibitory properties, and diffusible tropic factors. Several guidance cues may operate in a coordinated way to generate the distinct axonal trajectories of individual neurons.     

Quantum-well states as fabry-Perot modes in a thin-film electron interferometer

Angle-resolved photoemission from atomically uniform silver films on iron (100) shows quantum-well states for absolutely determined film thicknesses ranging from 1 to approximately 100 monolayers. These states can be understood in terms of Fabry-Perot modes in an electron interferometer. A quantitative line shape analysis over the entire two orders of magnitude of thickness range yields an accurate measurement of the band structure, quasiparticle lifetime, electron reflectivity, and phase shift. Effects of confinement energy gap, reflection loss, and surface scattering caused by controlled roughness are demonstrated.     

Regulation of mammalian tooth cusp patterning by ectodin

Mammalian tooth crowns have precise functional requirements but cannot be substantially remodeled after eruption. In developing teeth, epithelial signaling centers, the enamel knots, form at future cusp positions and are the first signs of cusp patterns that distinguish species. We report that ectodin, a secreted bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor, is expressed as a "negative" image of mouse enamel knots. Furthermore, we show that ectodin-deficient mice have enlarged enamel knots, highly altered cusp patterns, and extra teeth. Unlike in normal teeth, excess BMP accelerates patterning in ectodin-deficient teeth. We propose that ectodin is critical for robust spatial delineation of enamel knots and cusps.     

Sexual behavior: normal male patterning in androgenized female rats

Female rats treated with testosterone as neonates and as adults exhibited a temporal patterning of male copulatory behavior identical to that of normal males, although such females displayed few intromission reflexes and almost no ejaculatory patterns. With prenatal, postnatal, and adult testosterone treatment, female rats displayed all the characteristic masculine responses and intervals, including the ultrasonic postejaculatory vocalization.     

Initiation of proximal-distal patterning in the vertebrate limb by signals and growth

Two broad classes of models have been proposed to explain the patterning of the proximal-distal axis of the vertebrate limb (from the shoulder to the digit tips). Differentiating between them, we demonstrate that early limb mesenchyme in the chick is initially maintained in a state capable of generating all limb segments through exposure to a combination of proximal and distal signals. As the limb bud grows, the proximal limb is established through continued exposure to flank-derived signal(s), whereas the developmental program determining the medial and distal segments is initiated in domains that grow beyond proximal influence. In addition, the system we have developed, combining in vitro and in vivo culture, opens the door to a new level of analysis of patterning mechanisms in the limb.     

铜离子吸附对可变电荷土壤与恒电荷土壤铝释放的影响

研究了两种可变电荷土壤和两种恒电荷土壤在不同铜离子浓度条件下,pH对铝释放的影响.结果显示,随着加入铜离子浓度的增加,由铜离子交换作用而引起的可溶性铝也随之增加,相同pH条件下,可溶性铝的解吸量依次为砖红壤＞红壤＞黄棕壤＞棕壤,恒电荷土壤中铜离子浓度变化对铝释放的影响较可变电荷土壤更大,当pH大于3.6(恒电荷土壤)或pH大于4.0(可变电荷土壤)时,溶液中可溶性铝的含量几乎可以忽略不计.因此在所研究的铜离子浓度范围内,引起可溶性铝离子量变化的主导因素应该是体系pH值的变化而非铜离子的吸附.     

铜离子吸附对可变电荷土壤与恒电荷土壤铝释放的影响

研究了两种可变电荷土壤和两种恒电荷土壤在不同铜离子浓度条件下,pH 对铝释放的影响。结果显示,随着加入铜离子浓度的增加,离子交换作用而引起的可溶性铝也随之增加,相同pH 条件下,可溶性铝的解吸量依次为砖红壤>红壤>黄棕壤>棕壤,恒电荷土壤中铜离子浓度变化对铝释放的影响较可变电荷土壤更大,当pH大于3.6（恒电荷土壤）或pH 大于4.0（可变电荷土壤）时,溶液中可溶性铝的含量几乎可以忽略不计。因此在所研究的铜离子浓度范围内,引起可溶性铝离子量变化的主导因素应该是体系pH 值的变化而非铜离子的吸附。     

The mosaic of surface charge in contact electrification

When dielectric materials are brought into contact and then separated, they develop static electricity. For centuries, it has been assumed that such contact charging derives from the spatially homogeneous material properties (along the material's surface) and that within a given pair of materials, one charges uniformly positively and the other negatively. We demonstrate that this picture of contact charging is incorrect. Whereas each contact-electrified piece develops a net charge of either positive or negative polarity, each surface supports a random "mosaic" of oppositely charged regions of nanoscopic dimensions. These mosaics of surface charge have the same topological characteristics for different types of electrified dielectrics and accommodate significantly more charge per unit area than previously thought.     

五年制实验班班主任工作初探

五年制实验班是我校教育体制改革中的一项重要举措 ,也是我校专科教育的一种新形式。我校招收的实验班实施“按班招生 ,后期分流”的培养模式 ,即前两年属公修阶段 ,归属我校基础部管理 ,从第三年起分流到各专业中。公修阶段的教育直接影响到专业培养目标的能否实现。班级是学校向学生进行教育教学工作的基本单位 ,班级是学生活动的场所和学生成长的环境 ,班风的好坏直接影响到每一个学生的成长。因此 ,使班级成为一个朝气蓬勃、积极向上、亲密友爱的集体 ,是班主任老师们共同的追求。1　了解学生是做好班主任工作的前提学生是班主任工作的…     

Stomatal patterning and differentiation by synergistic interactions of receptor kinases

Coordinated spacing and patterning of stomata allow efficient gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere. Here we report that three ERECTA (ER)-family leucine-rich repeat-receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) together control stomatal patterning, with specific family members regulating the specification of stomatal stem cell fate and the differentiation of guard cells. Loss-of-function mutations in all three ER-family genes cause stomatal clustering. Genetic interactions with a known stomatal patterning mutant too many mouths (tmm) revealed stoichiometric epistasis and combination-specific neomorphism. Our findings suggest that the negative regulation of ER-family RLKs by TMM, which is an LRR receptor-like protein, is critical for proper stomatal differentiation.     

Selective disruption of gap junctional communication interferes with a patterning process in hydra

The cells that make up the body column of hydra are extensively joined by gap junctions, capable of mediating the rapid exchange of small hydrophilic molecules between the cytoplasms of neighboring cells. Both the rate of transfer of small molecules through the gap junctions and the rate of return of gap junction coupling after grafting experiments are sufficiently rapid to mediate events in the patterning of hydra tissue. Antibodies to the major rat liver gap junction protein (27,000 daltons) recognize a gap junction antigen in hydra and are effective in eliminating junctional communication between hydra cells. The antibodies perturb the head inhibition gradient in grafting operations, suggesting that cell-cell communication via gap junctions is important in this defined tissue patterning process.     

Cdh1-APC controls axonal growth and patterning in the mammalian brain

The anaphase-promoting complex (APC) is highly expressed in postmitotic neurons, but its function in the nervous system was previously unknown. We report that the inhibition of Cdh1-APC in primary neurons specifically enhanced axonal growth. Cdh1 knockdown in cerebellar slice overlay assays and in the developing rat cerebellum in vivo revealed cell-autonomous abnormalities in layer-specific growth of granule neuron axons and parallel fiber patterning. Cdh1 RNA interference in neurons was also found to override the inhibitory influence of myelin on axonal growth. Thus, Cdh1-APC appears to play a role in regulating axonal growth and patterning in the developing brain that may also limit the growth of injured axons in the adult brain.     

Macroscopic hierarchical surface patterning of porphyrin trimers via self-assembly and dewetting

The use of bottom-up approaches to construct patterned surfaces for technological applications is appealing, but to date is applicable to only relatively small areas (approximately 10 square micrometers). We constructed highly periodic patterns at macroscopic length scales, in the range of square millimeters, by combining self-assembly of disk-like porphyrin dyes with physical dewetting phenomena. The patterns consisted of equidistant 5-nanometer-wide lines spaced 0.5 to 1 micrometers apart, forming single porphyrin stacks containing millions of molecules, and were formed spontaneously upon drop-casting a solution of the molecules onto a mica surface. On glass, thicker lines are formed, which can be used to align liquid crystals in large domains of square millimeter size.