{\textless}p{\textgreater}Indium oxide (In2O3)-based transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) have been widely used and studied for a variety of applications, such as optoelectronic devices. However, some of the more promising dopants (zirconium, hafnium, and tantalum) for this oxide have not received much attention, as studies have mainly focused on tin and zinc, and even fewer have been explored by solution processes. This work focuses on developing solution-combustion-processed hafnium (Hf)-doped In2O3 thin films and evaluating different annealing parameters on TCO's properties using a low environmental impact solvent. Optimized TCOs were achieved for 0.5 M{%} Hf-doped In2O3 when produced at 400 °C, showing high transparency in the visible range of the spectrum, a bulk resistivity of 5.73 × 10−2 $Ømega$.cm, a mobility of 6.65 cm2/V.s, and a carrier concentration of 1.72 × 1019 cm−3. Then, these results were improved by using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) for 10 min at 600 °C, reaching a bulk resistivity of 3.95 × 10 −3 $Ømega$.cm, a mobility of 21 cm2/V.s, and a carrier concentration of 7.98 × 1019 cm−3, in air. The present work brings solution-based TCOs a step closer to low-cost optoelectronic applications.{\textless}/p{\textgreater}

Deep eutectic systems (DES) are a mixture of two or more components where at least one works as a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and another as a hydrogen bond donor (HBD). DES most distinctive characteristic is the fact that the mixture possesses a lower melting point, when compared to the melting point of its individual components. These systems have emerged as a “greener alternative” to organic solvents, while also offering several advantages over other “green” solvents such as ionic liquids (IL). However, the number of studies concerning the real biodegradability and biocompatibility are scarce and the methodologies are scattered through different articles. Current state of the art provides several reports using different models, namely using prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells but also more complex models considering whole organisms, such as plants and animals, attempting to understand DES toxicity at different complexity levels. The currently used methodologies is very different among authors, thus the standardization is urgently needed. This review’s purpose is to summarize the available data about DES toxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability, while also assembling the different methodologies used in an effort to pave the way so that standard guidelines for future research work are established.

In this work we present the potential of Natural Deep Eutectic Systems (NADES) as new vitrification media for the cryopreservation of mammalian cells. Several NADES composed of natural metabolites were prepared and tested as CPAs in two cell lines, L929 and HacaT cells. After the harvesting, cells were mixed with the eutectic systems, and frozen directly into liquid nitrogen to achieve a vitreous state. Then, the cells were thawed and it was observed that NADES were able to exert a significant cryoprotective effect in L929 cells, when compared with DMSO or in the absence of a CPA. For HacaT cells, only a eutectic system showed a slightly improvement in cell survival, while DMSO caused complete cell death. Moreover, the thermal behaviour of the best systems was studied for further understanding the protective properties of NADES as CPAs, and have shown a significant difference in terms of Tm and Tc when compared with DMSO and water. Additionally, the results obtained showed that NADES can be maintained in the growth media after the thawing step, without compromising cell viability. In summary, we have shown the great potential of NADES to be used as CPAs for the cryopreservation of different cell types, using the vitrification method.

ABSTRACT Modern birds are typified by the presence of feathers, complex evolutionary innovations that were already widespread in the group of theropod dinosaurs (Maniraptoriformes) that include crown Aves. Squamous or scaly reptilian-like skin is, however, considered the plesiomorphic condition for theropods and dinosaurs more broadly. Here, we review the morphology and distribution of non-feathered integumentary structures in non-avialan theropods, covering squamous skin and naked skin as well as dermal ossifications. The integumentary record of non-averostran theropods is limited to tracks, which ubiquitously show a covering of tiny reticulate scales on the plantar surface of the pes. This is consistent also with younger averostran body fossils, which confirm an arthral arrangement of the digital pads. Among averostrans, squamous skin is confirmed in Ceratosauria (Carnotaurus), Allosauroidea (Allosaurus, Concavenator, Lourinhanosaurus), Compsognathidae (Juravenator), and Tyrannosauroidea (Santanaraptor, Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus, Gorgosaurus, Tarbosaurus, Tyrannosaurus), whereas dermal ossifications consisting of sagittate and mosaic osteoderms are restricted to Ceratosaurus. Naked, non-scale bearing skin is found in the contentious tetanuran Sciurumimus, ornithomimosaurians (Ornithomimus) and possibly tyrannosauroids (Santanaraptor), and also on the patagia of scansoriopterygids (Ambopteryx, Yi). Scales are surprisingly conservative among non-avialan theropods compared to some dinosaurian groups (e.g. hadrosaurids); however, the limited preservation of tegument on most specimens hinders further interrogation. Scale patterns vary among and/or within body regions in Carnotaurus, Concavenator and Juravenator, and include polarised, snake-like ventral scales on the tail of the latter two genera. Unusual but more uniformly distributed patterning also occurs in Tyrannosaurus, whereas feature scales are present only in Albertosaurus and Carnotaurus. Few theropods currently show compelling evidence for the co-occurrence of scales and feathers (e.g. Juravenator, Sinornithosaurus), although reticulate scales were probably retained on the mani and pedes of many theropods with a heavy plumage. Feathers and filamentous structures appear to have replaced widespread scaly integuments in maniraptorans. Theropod skin, and that of dinosaurs more broadly, remains a virtually untapped area of study and the appropriation of commonly used techniques in other palaeontological fields to the study of skin holds great promise for future insights into the biology, taphonomy and relationships of these extinct animals.

Externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been widely used for the strengthening and repairing of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Existing studies have denstrated that the full-range behavior and the associated debonding mechanism of the FRP-to-concrete interface between two adjacent cracks in the FRP-plated RC beam are different from those of the pull-off bonded joint. Moreover, the bond behavior between the FRP and the concrete may be affected by interfacial thermal stresses induced by the service temperature variations (i.e., the thermal loadings). Based on a fully reversible bilinear bond-slip model, this paper presents an analytical study to investigate the full-range deformation behavior of the FRP-to-concrete interface between two adjacent cracks under combined mechanical and thermal loadings. The analytical results have indicated that the thermal loadings may significantly influence the full-range deformation behavior and the axial stress distribution of the FRP plate, although the material properties of concrete, adhesive, and FRP are assumed to be not affected by the service temperature variations. A temperature increase leads to an increase in the ultimate load of the bond interface and vice versa. A finite element (FE) model with different considerations of the bondline damage is developed to verify the proposed analytical solution. The reliability of the proposed analytical solution is then validated by the comparisons between the analytical results and the corresponding predictions provided by the FE model. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

Findings of Iron Age metallurgical activities related to tin metal and mining are very rare. In the present work, we present a detailed study of the Outeiro de Baltar hillfort, dated to the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period, located in a place where 20th century tin mining work took place. Elemental and microstructural analysis by portable, micro and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF, micro-XRF and WDXRF) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion spectrometer (SEM-EDS) showed that metallurgical debris found at the archaeological site is related to tin smelting and binary and ternary bronze productions. Analysis of the artefacts of diverse typologies found at the site showed that a variety of metals and alloys were in circulation and use. Samples of tin ores (cassiterite) from the region were analyzed for comparison with an archaeological tin slag from the site. The analytical results point to the production of tin metal using local cassiterite and the production of bronze by directly adding cassiterite into a smelting process. Furthermore, data of remote sensing (airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and historical aerial imagery) and Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping were combined with archival mining documentation and maps to retrieve a landscape context for the site. The study showed that the place of the Outeiro de Baltar hillfort (NW Iberia) was mined periodically over time.

Phys. Rev. C 105, 014611 (2022). doi:10.1103/PhysRevC.105.014611

The energy levels of hydrogen-like atomic systems can be calculated with great precision. Starting from their quantum mechanical solution, they have been refined over the years to include the electron spin, the relativistic and quantum field effects, and tiny energy shifts related to the complex structure of the nucleus. These energy shifts caused by the nuclear structure are vastly magnified in hydrogen-like systems formed by a negative muon and a nucleus, so spectroscopy of these muonic ions can be used to investigate the nuclear structure with high precision. Here we present the measurement of two 2S–2P transitions in the muonic helium-4 ion that yields a precise determination of the root-mean-square charge radius of the $\alpha$ particle of 1.67824(83) femtometres. This determination from atomic spectroscopy is in excellent agreement with the value from electron scattering1, but a factor of 4.8 more precise, providing a benchmark for few-nucleon theories, lattice quantum chromodynamics and electron scattering. This agreement also constrains several beyond-standard-model theories proposed to explain the proton-radius puzzle2–5, in line with recent determinations of the proton charge radius6–9, and establishes spectroscopy of light muonic atoms and ions as a precise tool for studies of nuclear properties. The 2S–2P transitions in muonic helium-4 ions are measured using laser spectroscopy and used to obtain an $\alpha$-particle charge-radius value five times more precise than that from electron scattering.

In this article, characterization of fully patterned zinc-tin oxide (ZTO)-based memristive devices with feature sizes as small as 25 µm2 is presented. The devices are patterned via lift-off with a platinum bottom contact and a gold-titanium top contact. An on/off ratio of more than two orders of magnitude is obtained without the need for electroforming processes. Set operation is a current controlled process, whereas the reset is voltage dependent. The temperature dependency of the electrical characteristics reveals a bulk-dominated conduction mechanism for high resistance states. However, the charge transport at low resistance state is consistent with Schottky emission. Synaptic properties such as potentiation and depression cycles, with progressive increases and decreases in the conductance value under 50 successive pulses, are shown. This validates the potential use of ZTO memristive devices for a sustainable and energy-efficient brain-inspired deep neural network computation.

Abstract Enhancer binding proteins (EBPs) are key players of σ54-regulation that control transcription in response to environmental signals. In the anaerobic microorganism Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH), orp operons have been previously shown to be coregulated by σ54-RNA polymerase, the integration host factor IHF and a cognate EBP, OrpR. In this study, ChIP-seq experiments indicated that the OrpR regulon consists of only the two divergent orp operons. In vivo data revealed that (i) OrpR is absolutely required for orp operons transcription, (ii) under anaerobic conditions, OrpR binds on the two dedicated DNA binding sites and leads to high expression levels of the orp operons, (iii) increasing the redox potential of the medium leads to a drastic down-regulation of the orp operons expression. Moreover, combining functional and biophysical studies on the anaerobically purified OrpR leads us to propose that OrpR senses redox potential variations via a redox-sensitive [4Fe?4S]2+ cluster in the sensory PAS domain. Overall, the study herein presents the first characterization of a new Fe?S redox regulator belonging to the σ54-dependent transcriptional regulator family probably advantageously selected by cells adapted to the anaerobic lifestyle to monitor redox stress conditions.