Types Of Junctions Research Articles

Preventive HIPEC in combination with perioperative FLOT versus FLOT alone for resectable diffuse type gastric and gastroesophageal junction type II/III adenocarcinoma: The phase III “PREVENT” trial of the AIO /CAOGI /ACO.

TPS4149 Background: The main reason for treatment failure after curative surgical resection of gastric cancer is intra-abdominal spread, with 40- 50% peritoneal seeding as primary localization of recurrence. Peritoneal relapse is seen in 60-70% of tumors of diffuse type, compared to only 20-30% of intestinal type. Hyperthermic IntraPEritoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC) is an increasingly used therapy method for patients with peritoneal metastases. The preventive use of HIPEC could represent an elegant approach for patients (pts) before macroscopic peritoneal seeding, since patients with operable disease are fit and may have potential risk of microscopic involvement, thus having a theoretical chance of cure with HIPEC even without the need for cytoreduction. No results from a PCRT from the Western hemisphere have yet been published. Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label study including a total of 200 pts with localized and locally advanced diffuse and mixed type (Laurens`s classification) adenocarcinoma of the stomach and Type II/III GEJ (i.e. ≥cT3 any N or any T N positive). All enrolled pts will have received 3-6 pre-operative cycles of biweekly FLOT (Docetaxel 50 mg/m²; Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m²; Leucovorin 200 mg/m²; 5-FU 2600 mg/m², q2wk). Pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive surgery only and postoperative FLOT (Arm A- Control arm) or surgery + intraoperative HIPEC (cisplatin 75mg/m2 solution administered at a temperature of 42°C for 90 minutes) and postoperative FLOT (Arm B- experimental arm). Surgery is carried out as gastrectomy or transhiatal extended gastrectomy. Primary endpoint is PFS/DFS, major secondary endpoints are OS, R0 resection rate, perioperative morbidity/mortality including VAS pain score and quality of life as assessed by EORTC QLQ C30 questionnaire. The trial starts with a safety run-in phase. After 20 patients had curatively intended resection in Arm B, an interim safety analysis is performed assessing feasibility, safety, and tolerability in Arm B. First patient was randomized on 18JAN2021. Currently one patient is recruited. EudraCT: 2017-003832-35; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04447352. Clinical trial information: NCT04447352.

Theoretical analysis of high strength and anti-buckling of three-dimensional carbon honeycombs under shear loading

Three-dimensional carbon honeycombs (3D C-honeycombs) are considered as a promising matrix material for new composites, while their mechanical behaviors under complex stress status remain unclear. Here, shear response of 3D C-honeycombs is systematically investigated with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and mechanical analysis. Two deformation modes are observed for 3D C-honeycombs under in-plane and out-of-plane shear loading. A mechanical model is proposed to describe the deformation of 3D C-honeycombs under different shear loading, and agrees well with the MD simulations. Under in-plane shear loading, the initial elastic deformation is dominated by distortion of hexagon structures, shear modulus increases as increasing shear strain, and the tension of side walls leads to fracture. Under out-of-plane shear loading, the structure of 3D C-honeycombs can remain stable until fracture regardless of side wall buckling, and the tensile stress concentration at junctions gives rise to fracture. For both the two modes, the junction type has a negligible effect on shear strength of 3D C-honeycombs. The stability of junctions plays a dominant role in the shear response of 3D C-honeycombs, and thus the superb mechanical properties of graphene can be largely inherited by the 3D C-honeycombs.

The Role of Metal Ions in the Electron Transport through Azurin-Based Junctions

We studied the coherent electron transport through metal–protein–metal junctions based on a blue copper azurin, in which the copper ion was replaced by three different metal ions (Co, Ni and Zn). Our results show that neither the protein structure nor the transmission at the Fermi level change significantly upon metal replacement. The discrepancy with previous experimental observations suggests that the transport mechanism taking place in these types of junctions is probably not fully coherent.

Investigation of random telegraph signal in two junction layouts of proton irradiated CMOS SPADs

This paper focuses on the understanding of the Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) in Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD). We studied the RTS of two different SPAD layouts, designed and implemented in a 150-nm CMOS process, after proton irradiation. The two structures are characterized by different junction types: the first structure is constituted by a P+/Nwell junction, while the second is formed by a Pwell/Niso junction. RTS occurrence has been measured in about one thousand SPAD pixels and the differences addressed in two layouts are motivated and discussed. Hypotheses on the RTS origin are drawn by analyzing the RTS time constants and the RTS occurrence evolution as a function of the annealing temperature.

Spin-flip scattering in magnetic tunnel junctions: From current-voltage characteristics to spin-transfer torque

We examine room temperature current-voltage (IV) characteristics of $\mathrm{CoFeB}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}|\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MgO}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}|\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{CoFeB}$ type of perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions developed for memory applications. From their nonlinear bias voltage dependence, a conductance ``cross-scaling'' is seen that is consistent with the involvement of inelastic spin-flip scattering in electrodes. A phenomenological model is constructed that connects the parameters of spin-flip scatter-related inelastic events with both magnetoresistance and spin-transfer torque. The model provides measurable, electrode-specific properties such as interface exchange stiffness as it affects spin-torque performance.

The Osteocyte: From "Prisoner" to "Orchestrator".

Osteocytes are the most abundant bone cells, entrapped inside the mineralized bone matrix. They derive from osteoblasts through a complex series of morpho-functional modifications; such modifications not only concern the cell shape (from prismatic to dendritic) and location (along the vascular bone surfaces or enclosed inside the lacuno-canalicular cavities, respectively) but also their role in bone processes (secretion/mineralization of preosseous matrix and/or regulation of bone remodeling). Osteocytes are connected with each other by means of different types of junctions, among which the gap junctions enable osteocytes inside the matrix to act in a neuronal-like manner, as a functional syncytium together with the cells placed on the vascular bone surfaces (osteoblasts or bone lining cells), the stromal cells and the endothelial cells, i.e., the bone basic cellular system (BBCS). Within the BBCS, osteocytes can communicate in two ways: by means of volume transmission and wiring transmission, depending on the type of signals (metabolic or mechanical, respectively) received and/or to be forwarded. The capability of osteocytes in maintaining skeletal and mineral homeostasis is due to the fact that it acts as a mechano-sensor, able to transduce mechanical strains into biological signals and to trigger/modulate the bone remodeling, also because of the relevant role of sclerostin secreted by osteocytes, thus regulating different bone cell signaling pathways. The authors want to emphasize that the present review is centered on the morphological aspects of the osteocytes that clearly explain their functional implications and their role as bone orchestrators.

Heterogeneous irradiated-pristine polyethylene nanofiber junction as a high-performance solid-state thermal diode

In this work, we demonstrate two types of heterogeneous irradiated-pristine polyethylene nanofiber junctions, ‘heavily-irradiated-pristine’ (HI-P) and ‘lightly-irradiated-pristine’ (LI-P) junctions, as high-performance solid-state thermal diodes. The HI-P junction rectifies heat flux in a single direction, while the LI-P junction shows dual-directional rectification under different working temperatures. We accurately model the phase transition of polyethylene nanofibers with a finite temperature range rather than a step function. The finite-temperature-range model suggests that the rectification factor increases with temperature bias and there is a minimum threshold of temperature bias for notable rectification. Besides, the finite-temperature-range model shows better prediction for the heat flow data from experiments, while the step function model tends to overestimate the rectification performance around the optimal length fraction of irradiation. Although both the models show that an optimal rectification occurs when the interface temperatures in the forward and the reverse biases are equal, the optimized rectification factor is determined by the temperature bias and the temperature range of phase transition. This work elucidates the influence of both the temperature bias and the temperature range of phase transition on thermal rectification performance, which could incredibly benefit the evaluation and design of thermal diodes.

The Determination of Convenient Junction Type Utilizing from Estimated Traffic Data with AHP Method

The Determination of Convenient Junction Type Utilizing from Estimated Traffic Data with AHP Method

Femtosecond laser irradiation induced heterojunctions between carbon nanofibers and silver nanowires for a flexible strain sensor

We report the direct joining of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) to silver nanowire (Ag NWs) by controlled irradiation with femtosecond (fs) laser pulses. Two separate types of nano-junction dependent on joint geometry, laser fluence and irradiation time are identified in irradiated mixtures. In one type of junction, the tip of an Ag NW is melted and flows to form a bond with an adjacent CNF. The second type of junction occurs without significant heating of the Ag NW and involves the softening and flow of carbon in the CNF in response to the transfer of plasmonic energy from the Ag NW into the CNF. Bonding in a T-type joint configuration can be of either kind depending on the relative orientation of the incident optical field and the long axis of the Ag NW. FDTD simulations were used to explore this effect for different joint geometries and laser polarization. The electrical properties of a heterojunction involving a single Ag NW-CNF structure have been measured, and it is found that the junction resistance can be reduced by six orders of magnitude after laser joining. Finally, we have investigated the properties of a strain sensor based on an Ag NW-CNF hybrid nanowire network and find that this device can exhibit high sensitivity. This sensitivity occurs as nano-junctions induced by fs laser irradiation greatly reduces the initial resistance. This laser-based technique for direct nanojoining of CNF and Ag NWs may enable the design of robust nanowire structures for application in a variety of new devices.

Detecting crash hotspots using grid and density-based spatial clustering

Data mining techniques, specifically spatial clustering methods, are used to analyse crash data and find their spatial patterns. In the present study, a grid and density-based clustering algorithm called GriDBSCAN was utilised for injury crash data. Other clustering methods such as nearest neighbour hierarchical and kernel density estimation were also applied to validate the results of the GriDBSCAN algorithm. Crash points recorded for Gebze and Izmit (in Turkey) were clustered through these methods. The findings revealed that GriDBSCAN had the highest value for hit rate. In addition, the GriDBSCAN algorithm placed data points into a grid mesh to decrease the runtime and could estimate the clusters with a higher accuracy due to the recognition of the noise points. Furthermore, the proposed approach allowed the detection of unique crash factors for both cities. The factors contributing to injury crashes in both cities included collision and junction types, along with speed limit.

The self-assembled, atomically defined, flexible and highly tunable bilayered Au/L-cysteine/Cu(II/I) junctions capable of voltage-gated coherent multiple electron/hole exchange

Contemporary 2D spintronics (spin-based electronics) is a highly interdisciplinary field with numerous elaborated branches, mostly focusing on atomically thin, layered nano-junctions functionalized within ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ cells/cubicles/circuits. The charge carriers’ spin-implicated aspects emerge throughout, albeit the most nanotechnologically promising issue (implying the information and energy transfer/storage aspects) among them, is perhaps the uniquely complex yet robust and rather universal phenomenon of a hybrid inter- and intra-layer Bose–Einstein-like (BE) condensation. However, this issue is still not sufficiently explored, especially, in the framework of the ‘wet’ spintronic domain. Thus, searching for new types of bilayer junctions, and testing of charge/spin allocation and flow within respective nano-devices, is a primary task of current 2D spintronics. In this paper we report on the novel effort towards an extension of the voltage-gated ‘wet’ 2D spintronics enabled through the self-assembling of bilayered Au/L-cysteine/Cu(II/I) junctions, and their rigorous, yet preliminary current-voltage testing towards the hidden collective spin-related manifestations. Our experimental efforts led to a cascade of rare, uniquely combined observations encompassing the temperature induced, directly visible (irreversibly shape-shifting) single-stage transformation of a CV signal (the natural signature of a voltage-gated interlayer Faradaic process). The ultra-thin shape of the resulting CV signal (unavoidably emerging under certain ‘standard’ conditions), turned to be readily explainable by the Laviron’s general statistical formalism, as due to a multi-charge exchange process with the number of transferred electrons/holes ranging within 4 to 16 (per single elementary act) or even out of this range, being extra tunable via the experimental variables. Furthermore, cathodic and anodic peaks of the ‘new’ signal are moderately separated from each other and have nearly similar shapes. Additional experiments with a variation of the voltage scan rate, demonstrated the exceptional, very regular decaying of a number of simultaneously transferred electrons/holes (extracted from the peak-shape analysis) on the voltage scan rate; although the former parameters shows some fluctuational scatter in time, and/or from sample to sample. The subsequent multi-theory-based analysis of a whole scope of obtained voltammetric data, allowed for a preliminary conjecturing of the formation of a hybrid BE-like dipolar superfluid encompassing electron/hole-hosting clusters emerging within the bilayer junction. The specific electron/hole ratio within the layers is switchable (gated) by the interlayer potential (voltage) bias. The clusters’ dimensions, charge distribution and dynamic exchange are reasonably fluctuative and essentially tunable through the applied potential (i.e. the voltage-gating). New experiments are on their way, revealing unlimited future promises of our current endeavor.

Electrostatic and Dynamic Analysis of P+PNP Double Junction Type and P+PNPN Triple Junction Type Pinned Photodiodes

This paper explains the device structure and operation of image sensors and solar cells. Both are semiconductor devices operating with the same physical principle of detecting photons. A high efficiency of the photon to electron energy conversion is very much desired in both devices. Image sensors now use a very advanced and scaled down CMOS fabrication process technology to achieve high performance features such as the excellent short wave blue light sensitivity for good color reproduction, the low noise and the no image lag picture quality for filmless and mechanical free action cameras. On the other hand, solar cells are still now built with the primitive floating N+P single junction type photodiode to minimize the fabrication process cost but with very low energy conversion efficiency of about 20%. It is explained in details that the depletion region of the PN junction is not the only place where we can achieve photo electron and hole pair separations effectively. The short-wave blue light has only 1000 Å silicon crystal penetration depth. The pinned surface P+P Gaussian doping profile has a very important role to achieve a better photon to energy conversion efficiency, especially for the short-wave blue light. Electrostatic and dynamic behaviors of Pinned Surface P+PNP Double Junction type Dynamic Photo Transistor and Pinned Surface P+PNPN Triple Junction type Dynamic Photo Thyristor are analyzed in details. Both of them are shown to be expected to have much excellent photon-to-electron energy conversion efficiency.

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NANOSTRUCTURED POROUS SILICON

The special properties of nanostructured porous silicon (PS), such as large surface area, negligible reflectance and facile surface modification provide new opportunities for their application in various optical and electronic devices. An ohmic contact on the PS layer is crucial for the development of light-emitting devices, photodetectors, solar cells, biosensors, etc. Investigation of the electrical characteristics of structures based on PS layers provides important information on rectifying junctions, built-in potential, barriers, type of junction and its capacitance. In this paper, electrical characteristics, specifically current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V), of the diode structures Al/PS/n-Si/Al are analyzed. PS layers were formed on n-type monocrystalline Si wafers by electrochemical etching in an HF solution at constant current densities. All films were deposited onto PS layers by thermal evaporation. Measurements of electrical characteristics were carried out at room temperature and held in the dark. It was found that the electrical characteristics of the prepared structures strongly depend on the conditions for the formation of the nanostructured PS and, as a consequence, on the porosity and thickness of the PS layer. In particular, an increase in the current through the diode structure was observed with a decrease in the etching current density. The capacitance decreased with increasing the time and current density of the etching. According to the experimental results, the rectification of I-V is found to be caused by the junction’s barriers Al/PS and PS/n-Si. A band model of a diode structure Ai/PS/nSi/Al is proposed in order to explain the observed characteristics, the barrier height and ideality factor were calculated. The reduction in the junction capacitance with increasing the bias voltage results is due to the expansion of the depletion layer.

An In Vitro Assay to Monitor Sertoli Cell Blood-Testis Barrier (BTB) Integrity.

In this chapter, we detail a reliable, effective, and easy to perform assay to monitor the Sertoli cell blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity. While the BTB in the testis is composed of the tight junction (TJ) barrier and basal ES (ectoplasmic specialization, a testis-specific actin-rich adherens junction (AJ) type), this method is applicable to all other blood-tissue barrier in vitro, including endothelial TJ-barrier of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, this method does not require expensive set up, and can be rapidly performed by any standard biochemistry/cell biology/molecular biology laboratory. The basic idea is built on the concept that a functional blood-tissue barrier, such as the BTB conferred by Sertoli cells in the testis, is capable of blocking the diffusion of a small membrane impermeable biotin (e.g., EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-LC-biotin, Mr. 556.59) across the barrier. However, when this barrier is compromised, such as following treatment with a toxicant or knockdown of a relevant gene necessary to confer the TJ-barrier function, the biotin will permeate the barrier, reaching the Sertoli cell cytosol. Biotin can be subsequently visualized by using streptavidin conjugated to a fluorescence tag such as Alexa Fluor 488 (green fluorescence) which can be easily visualized by a standard fluorescence microscope.

Seismotectonic Deformation of Active Segments of the Junction Zone of the Kolyma–Omolon Superterrane and South Anui Suture (Southeastern Russia)

Our seismotectonic studies focus on active segments of the junction zone of the Kolyma–Omolon superterrane and the South Anui suture. The aim of our research is to identify features that show activation of suture zones and to determine the parameters of the stress–strain state of the crust in the study area. The analysis was based on the average seismotectonic deformation tensors, which were estimated for the main epicentral fields of Russia’s northeastern regions. New data are now available on the focal characteristics of moderate earthquakes, which can improve determination of the kinematic types of junctions of suture zones of the tectonic taxa located along the Arctic and Pacific continental margins. Seismotectonic crustal destruction regimes are determined for the active segments of the junction zone of the Kolyma–Omolon superterrane and the South Anui suture. These regimes are influenced by global geodynamic processes taking place at lithospheric plate margins, as well as by the dominant deformation fields of adjacent tectonic taxa. The seismotectonic analysis results suggest activation of the suture zones of the northwestern flank of the Kolyma–Omolon superterrane under stable north-eastward compression. The suture zones may extend into the Laptev Sea area, where they are conjugate with the structural elements of the South Anui suture (Novosibirsk–Svyatoi Nos segment). In the Anui–Chukotka segment of the suture, seismotectonic crustal destruction changes from compression to extension. This is due to the effect of deformation fields of active megazones of conjugated tectonic taxa of the Novosibirsk–Chukotka fold-and-thrust and Okhotsk–Chukotka active margin zones. For the tectonic taxa of the Arctic sector of Russia’s northeastern regions, a database has been consolidated, including the of seismotectonic crustal deformation parameters, which may be useful for various geodynamic reconstructions.

Fabrication of van der Waals heterostructures through direct growth of rhenium disulfide on van der Waals surfaces

The growth of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures has been desired to achieve two-dimensional (2D) layered heterostructures with various types of junctions for new functional device applications. ReS2 is one of the most promising semiconducting 2D materials for providing new electronic and optoelectronic properties when integrated into a vdW heterostructure. However, owing to its low-symmetry distorted 1T crystalline structure, there are few reports on continuous high-quality vdW heterostructures unlike those on 2D materials with a symmetric 2H crystalline structure. Herein, we report on the first demonstrated ReS2/HfS2 and ReS2/h-BN vdW heterostructures through the direct growth of ReS2 films on exfoliated HfS2 and h-BN with symmetric 1T (HfS2) and 2H (h-BN) crystalline structures. Few-layered continuous ReS2 films were grown on vdW surfaces of exfoliated 2D material flakes with highly crystalline structures, and the growth behavior is explained through a surface-dependent direct growth process with vdW epitaxy. This work verifies that symmetry-free direct growth of 2D vdW heterostructures can be achieved using a 2D material as the growth template with a high growth rate, which provides a path for developing various types of multi-functional vdW heterostructures.

Temperature effects on failure mode of double lap glass-aluminum and glass-GFRP joints with epoxy and acrylic adhesive

In this experimental study, a series of mechanical tests were conducted on double-lap joint specimens, where glass sheets were adhesively bonded on two different supports, namely aluminum and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP). Five different types of adhesives (three epoxy and two acrylic) were compared and three temperature conditions (room temperature, work temperature and maximum service temperature) were investigated. The main aim is to verify the applicability of this type of junction on civil applications, such as windows, glass façades, and so on.The first part of this study describes the results of tensile tests conducted in order to verify the compatibility of the bonding system at room temperature; the second part illustrates the degradation of the adhesive bonding due to high temperatures; in fact, if used in civil applications, these junctions are generally exposed to severe temperatures that could reach the glass transition temperature of the used adhesive, this leads to the necessity to verify the correct functionality of the adhesive joint.The results evidenced that the mechanical performance of adhesive junctions is considerably reduced as the temperature increases. This phenomenon is more evident in acrylic adhesives rather than epoxy ones. The epoxy adhesives in all tests exhibited the highest load carrying, while the acrylic ones showed the highest joint elongations.Different failure modes, classified as “Adhesive Failure”, “Cohesive Failure”, ‘‘Light-Fiber-Tear Failure” or “Mixed Failure”, were observed at room temperature while, at high temperatures, only “adhesive failure” was observed. The study demonstrates that high temperatures have a remarkable impact on the mechanical properties of adhesive junctions. Such effect should be suitably taken into account in the design and verification phase of components.The research results can be appropriately used in practical applications.

Vertical Distribution of Cs-137 in the Catena Soils of Agricultural Landscapes in the Bryansk Region

The paper presents data on the vertical distribution of 137Cs of Chernobyl origin in arable and meadow soils to a depth of 40 cm in typical catenary junctions of predpolessie, predopolje, and opolje landscapes with a different density of 137Cs contamination 30 years after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Newly obtained data on the removal of 137Cs beyond the arable horizon presented in the paper indicate that this parameter varies depending on the landscape conditions: it varies in the range of 2.7–17.7% in predpolessie landscapes and in the range of 0.5 to 9% in opolje landscapes. In opolje landscapes, the coefficient of 137Cs removal from the arable horizon was proved to systematically decrease depending on the landscape catenary position: it amounts to 8.5% in the transit zone and is 1.4% in the accumulation zone. The vertical distribution of 137Cs and 210Pbex (excess) in the sod and floodplain soils in the basin of the Kostitsa River was studied to determine the sedimentation rate. Based on the analysis of the distribution of 137Cs in the soil, the sedimentation rate over the past 30 years in various parts of the floodplain was estimated at 0.42 ± 0.08 to 0.58 ± 0.11 cm/year. The average estimated sedimentation rate in the floodplain during approximately 50 past years was, according to the 210Pbex dating was equal to 0.7 ± 0.18 cm/year. The sedimentation rate in the bottom of a ravine was evaluated for sod soils based on the distribution of 210Pbex according to the CRS model for 1961–2016 y. It was revealed that the minimum sedimentation rate of 0.24 cm/year occurred in 1961–1988, and the maximal (0.7 cm/year) in 2000 to 2007.

Mind the gap: A mechanobiological hypothesis for the role of gap junctions in the mechanical properties of injured brain tissue

Despite more than half a century of work on the brain biomechanics, there are still significant unknowns about this tissue. Since the brain is highly susceptible to injury, damage biomechanics has been one of the main areas of interest to the researchers in the field of brain biomechanics. In many previous studies, mechanical properties of brain tissue under sub-injury and injury level loading conditions have been addressed; however, to the best of our knowledge, the role of cell-cell interactions in the mechanical behavior of brain tissue has not been well examined yet. This note introduces the hypothesis that gap junctions as the major type of cell-cell junctions in the brain tissue play a pivotal role in the mechanical properties of the tissue and their failure during injury leads to changes in brain's material properties. According to this hypothesis, during an injury, the gap junctions are damaged, leading to a decrease in tissue stiffness, whereas following the injury, new junction proteins are expressed, leading to an increase in tissue stiffness. We suggest that considering the mechanobiological effect of gap junctions in the material properties of brain tissue may help better understand the brain injury mechanism.

Black and white holes at material junctions

Electrons in Type II Weyl semimetals display one-way propagation, which supports totally reflecting behavior at an endpoint, as one has for black hole horizons viewed from the inside. Junctions of Type I and Type II lead to equations identical to what one has near black hole horizons, but the physical implications, we suggest, are quite different from expectations which are conventional in that context. The time-reversed, "white hole" configuration is also physically accessible.