Sample records for ta1535 ta1537 ta1538

  1. The mutagenic assessment of an electronic-cigarette and reference cigarette smoke using the Ames assay in strains TA98 and TA100.

    PubMed

    Thorne, D; Crooks, I; Hollings, M; Seymour, A; Meredith, C; Gaca, M

    2016-12-01

    Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 were used to assess the mutagenic potential of the aerosol from a commercially available, rechargeable, closed system electronic-cigarette. Results obtained were compared to those for the mainstream smoke from a Kentucky reference (3R4F) cigarette. Two different test matrices were assessed. Aerosol generated from the e-cigarette was trapped on a Cambridge filter pad, eluted in DMSO and compared to cigarette smoke total particulate matter (TPM), which was generated in the same manner for mutagenicity assessment in the Salmonella assay. Fresh e-cigarette and cigarette smoke aerosols were generated on the Vitrocell ® VC 10 smoking robot and compared using a modified scaled-down 35mm air agar interface (AAI) methodology. E-cigarette aerosol collected matter (ACM) was found to be non-mutagenic in the 85mm plate incorporation Ames assay in strains TA98 and TA100 conducted in accordance with OECD 471, when tested up to 2400μg/plate. Freshly generated e-cigarette aerosol was also found to be negative in both strains after an AAI aerosol exposure, when tested up to a 1L/min dilution for up to 3h. Positive control responses were observed in both strains, using benzo[a]pyrene, 2-nitrofluorene, sodium azide and 2-aminoanthracene in TA98 and TA100 in the presence and absence of metabolic activation respectively. In contrast, cigarette smoke TPM and aerosol from 3R4F reference cigarettes were found to be mutagenic in both tester strains, under comparable test conditions to that of e-cigarette exposure. Limited information exists on the mutagenic activity of captured e-cigarette particulates and whole aerosol AAI approaches. With the lower toxicant burden of e-cigarette aerosols compared to cigarette smoke, it is clear that a more comprehensive Ames package of data should be generated when assessing e-cigarettes, consisting of the standard OECD-five, TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537 (or TA97) and E. coli (or TA102). In addition, TA104

  2. [Comutagenic action of sodium selenite and caffeine on S. typhimurium TA 1535 with its subsequent treatment by N-nitrosomethylurea].

    PubMed

    Balanski, R M

    1988-01-01

    The comutagenic activity of sodium selenite and caffeine was studied by the Ames test. Reproduction of S. typhimurium TA1535 for 4 h at 37 degrees C in the nutrient broth with sodium selenide (5 micrograms/ml) significantly increased sensitivity of bacterial cells to the mutagenic action of 2-3 mM N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU). When using threshold concentrations of NMU the potentiation of mutagenesis reached 625.2%. The addition of 0.19 mg/ml of caffeine to the nutrient medium also led (though the action was less pronounced) to an increase in sensitivity of bacterial cells to the NMU mutagenic action. Reproduction of S. typhimurium TA1535 in the medium containing sodium selenide and caffeine did not cause an increase in the frequency of spontaneous his+-revertant mutations.

  3. TaEDS1 genes positively regulate resistance to powdery mildew in wheat.

    PubMed

    Chen, Guiping; Wei, Bo; Li, Guoliang; Gong, Caiyan; Fan, Renchun; Zhang, Xiangqi

    2018-04-01

    Three EDS1 genes were cloned from common wheat and were demonstrated to positively regulate resistance to powdery mildew in wheat. The EDS1 proteins play important roles in plant basal resistance and TIR-NB-LRR protein-triggered resistance in dicots. Until now, there have been very few studies on EDS1 in monocots, and none in wheat. Here, we report on three common wheat orthologous genes of EDS1 family (TaEDS1-5A, 5B and 5D) and their function in powdery mildew resistance. Comparisons of these genes with their orthologs in diploid ancestors revealed that EDS1 is a conserved gene family in Triticeae. The cDNA sequence similarity among the three TaEDS1 genes was greater than 96.5%, and they shared sequence similarities of more than 99.6% with the respective orthologs from diploid ancestors. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the EDS1 family originated prior to the differentiation of monocots and dicots, and EDS1 members have since undergone clear structural differentiation. The transcriptional levels of TaEDS1 genes in the leaves were obviously higher than those of the other organs, and they were induced by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) infection and salicylic acid (SA) treatment. The BSMV-VIGS experiments indicated that knock-down the transcriptional levels of the TaEDS1 genes in a powdery mildew-resistant variety of common wheat compromised resistance. Contrarily, transient overexpression of TaEDS1 genes in a susceptible common wheat variety significantly reduced the haustorium index and attenuated the growth of Bgt. Furthermore, the expression of TaEDS1 genes in the Arabidopsis mutant eds1-1 complemented its susceptible phenotype to powdery mildew. The above evidences strongly suggest that TaEDS1 acts as a positive regulator and confers resistance against powdery mildew in common wheat.

  4. TaRAR1 and TaSGT1 associate with TaHsp90 to function in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling growth and stripe rust resistance.

    PubMed

    Wang, Guan-Feng; Fan, Renchun; Wang, Xianping; Wang, Daowen; Zhang, Xiangqi

    2015-04-01

    RAR1 and SGT1 are important co-chaperones of Hsp90. We previously showed that TaHsp90.1 is required for wheat seedling growth, and that TaHsp90.2 and TaHsp90.3 are essential for resistance (R) gene mediated resistance to stripe rust fungus. Here, we report the characterization of TaRAR1 and TaSGT1 genes in bread wheat. TaRAR1 and TaSGT1 each had three homoeologs, which were located on wheat groups 2 and 3 chromosomes, respectively. Strong inhibition of seedling growth was observed after silencing TaSGT1 but not TaRAR1. In contrast, decreasing the expression of TaRAR1 or TaSGT1 could all compromise R gene mediated resistance to stripe rust fungus infection. Protein-protein interactions were found among TaRAR1, TaSGT1 and TaHsp90. The N-terminus of TaHsp90, the CHORD-I and CHORD-II domains of TaRAR1 and the CS domain of TaSGT1 may be instrumental for the interactions among the three proteins. Based on this work and our previous study on TaHsp90, we speculate that the TaSGT1-TaHsp90.1 interaction is important for maintaining bread wheat seedling growth. The TaRAR1-TaSGT1-TaHsp90.2 and TaRAR1-TaSGT1-TaHsp90.3 interactions are involved in controlling the resistance to stripe rust disease. The new information obtained here should aid further functional investigations of TaRAR1-TaSGT1-TaHsp90 complexes in regulating bread wheat growth and disease resistance.

  5. Evolutionary Optimization of a Charge Transfer Ionic Potential Model for Ta/Ta-Oxide Heterointerfaces

    DOE PAGES

    Sasikumar, Kiran; Narayanan, Badri; Cherukara, Mathew; ...

    2017-03-19

    Heterostructures of tantalum and its oxide are of tremendous technological interest for a myriad of technological applications, including electronics, thermal management, catalysis and biochemistry. In particular, local oxygen stoichiometry variation in TaO x memristors comprising of thermodynamically stable metallic (Ta) and insulating oxide (Ta 2O 5) have been shown to result in fast switching on the subnanosecond timescale over a billion cycles. This rapid switching opens up the potential for advanced functional platforms such as stateful logic operations and neuromorphic computation. Despite its broad importance, an atomistic scale understanding of oxygen stoichiometry variation across Ta/TaO x heterointerfaces, such as duringmore » early stages of oxidation and oxide growth, is not well understood. This is mainly due to the lack of a unified interatomic potential model for tantalum oxides that can accurately describe metallic (Ta), ionic (TaO x) as well as mixed (Ta/TaO x interfaces) bonding environments simultaneously. To address this challenge, we introduce a Charge Transfer Ionic Potential (CTIP) model for Ta/Ta-oxide system by training against lattice parameters, cohesive energies, equations of state (EOS), elastic properties, and surface energies of the various experimentally observed Ta 2O 5 polymorphs (hexagonal, orthorhombic and monoclinic) obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The best CTIP parameters are determined by employing a global optimization scheme driven by genetic algorithms followed by local Simplex optimization. Our newly developed CTIP potential accurately predicts structure, thermodynamics, energetic ordering of polymorphs, as well as elastic and surface properties of both Ta and Ta 2O 5, in excellent agreement with DFT calculations and experiments. We employ our newly parameterized CTIP potential to investigate the early stages of oxidation and atomic scale mechanisms associated with oxide growth on Ta surface

  6. Direct evidence on Ta-Metal Phases Igniting Resistive Switching in TaOx Thin Film

    PubMed Central

    Kyu Yang, Min; Ju, Hyunsu; Hwan Kim, Gun; Lee, Jeon-Kook; Ryu, Han-Cheol

    2015-01-01

    A Ta/TaOx/Pt stacked capacitor-like device for resistive switching was fabricated and examined. The tested device demonstrated stable resistive switching characteristics including uniform distribution of resistive switching operational parameters, highly promising endurance, and retention properties. To reveal the resistive switching mechanism of the device, micro structure analysis using high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) was performed. From the observation results, two different phases of Ta-metal clusters of cubic α-Ta and tetragonal β-Ta were founded in the amorphous TaOx mother-matrix after the device was switched from high resistance state (HRS) to low resistance state (LRS) by externally applied voltage bias. The observed Ta metal clusters unveiled the origin of the electric conduction paths in the TaOx thin film at the LRS. PMID:26365532

  7. Direct evidence on Ta-Metal Phases Igniting Resistive Switching in TaOx Thin Film

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kyu Yang, Min; Ju, Hyunsu; Hwan Kim, Gun; Lee, Jeon-Kook; Ryu, Han-Cheol

    2015-09-01

    A Ta/TaOx/Pt stacked capacitor-like device for resistive switching was fabricated and examined. The tested device demonstrated stable resistive switching characteristics including uniform distribution of resistive switching operational parameters, highly promising endurance, and retention properties. To reveal the resistive switching mechanism of the device, micro structure analysis using high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) was performed. From the observation results, two different phases of Ta-metal clusters of cubic α-Ta and tetragonal β-Ta were founded in the amorphous TaOx mother-matrix after the device was switched from high resistance state (HRS) to low resistance state (LRS) by externally applied voltage bias. The observed Ta metal clusters unveiled the origin of the electric conduction paths in the TaOx thin film at the LRS.

  8. Synthesis, processing and properties of TaC-TaB2-C Ceramics

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-01-01

    powder used. • A very important conclusion from the present study is that the grain size of nominally pure TaC ceramics is a strong function of carbon...ceramics at temperatures as low as 1500 ◦C. The grain size of nominally pure TaC ceramics was a strong function of carbon stoichiometry. Enhanced grain...evaluate the properties of ceramics in the TaC–TaB2–C system. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Keywords: A . Sintering; B. Microstructure; D. Carbides; D. Carbon

  9. 75 FR 43556 - TA-W-73,381, MT Rail Link, Inc., Missoula, MT; TA-W-73,381A, Billings, MT; TA-W-73,381B, Laurel...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-26

    ... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-73,381, MT Rail Link, Inc., Missoula, MT; TA-W-73,381A, Billings, MT; TA-W-73,381B, Laurel, MT; TA-W-73,381C, Livingston, MT; TA-W-73... Helena, Montana. The amended notice applicable to TA-W-73,381 is hereby issued as follows: All workers of...

  10. [Antimutagenic action of superoxide dismutase on sodium azide- and nitrosoguanidine-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535].

    PubMed

    Vorob'eva, L I; Cherdyntseva, T A; Aver'ianov, A A; Abilev, S K

    1993-05-01

    It was shown that superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased the mutagenic action of sodium azide (NaN3) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535. Catalase and quenchers of hydroxyl radicals showed, unlike SOD no effect on the mutagenicity of NaN3. Cell extract from propionic acid bacteria also possessed the antimutagenic activity, only partially depending on the SOD activity.

  11. High-pressure phases of Weyl semimetals NbP, NbAs, TaP, and TaAs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, ZhaoPeng; Lu, PengChao; Chen, Tong; Wu, JueFei; Sun, Jian; Xing, DingYu

    2018-03-01

    In this study, we used the crystal structure search method and first-principles calculations to systematically explore the highpressure phase diagrams of the TaAs family (NbP, NbAs, TaP, and TaAs). Our calculation results show that NbAs and TaAs have similar phase diagrams, the same structural phase transition sequence I41 md→ P6¯ m2→ P21/ c→ Pm3¯ m, and slightly different transition pressures. The phase transition sequence of NbP and TaP differs somewhat from that of NbAs and TaAs, in which new structures emerge, such as the Cmcm structure in NbP and the Pmmn structure in TaP. Interestingly, we found that in the electronic structure of the high-pressure phase P6¯ m2-NbAs, there are coexistingWeyl points and triple degenerate points, similar to those found in high-pressure P6¯ m2-TaAs.

  12. A study of nitrogen behavior in the formation of Ta/TaN and Ti/TaN alloyed metal electrodes on SiO2 and HfO2 dielectrics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gassilloud, R.; Maunoury, C.; Leroux, C.; Piallat, F.; Saidi, B.; Martin, F.; Maitrejean, S.

    2014-04-01

    We studied Ta, TaN, and sub-stoichiometric TaNx electrodes (obtained by nitrogen redistribution in Ta/TaN or Ti/TaN bilayers) deposited on thermal SiO2 and HfO2/IL (0.8 nm SiO2 IL, i.e., interlayer) stacks. Effective work-functions (WF) were extracted on MOS capacitor structures on SiO2 bevelled insulator of 4.2 eV for pure Ta, 4.6 eV for TaN, and 4.3 eV for sub-stoichiometric TaNx. This intermediate WF value is explained by TaN nitrogen redistribution with reactive Ta or Ti elements shifting the gate work-function toward the Si conduction band. The same electrodes deposited on an HfO2/IL dielectric showed different behavior: First, the Ta/HfO2/IL stack shows a +200 meV WF increase (towards the Si valence band) compared to the SiO2 dielectric stack. This increase is explained by the well-known HfO2/IL dipole formation. Second, in contrast to electrodes deposited on SiO2, sub-stoichiometric TaNx/HfO2 is found to have a lower WF (4.3 eV), than pure Ta on HfO2 (4.4 eV). This inversion in work-function behavior measured on SiO2 vs. HfO2 is explained by the nitrogen redistribution in Ta/TaN bilayer together with diffusion of nitrogen through the HfO2 layer, leading to Si-N formation which prevents dipole formation at the HfO2/IL interface.

  13. 78 FR 28627 - TA-W-80,340; TA-W-80,340A; TA-W-80,340B

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-15

    ...] Bush Industries, Inc., Mason Drive Facility, Including On-Site Leased Workers From Morris Security...., Mason Drive Facility, Jamestown, New York (TA-W-80,340) and Bush Industries, Inc., Allen Street Facility... applicable to TA-W-80,340 is hereby issued as follows: All workers of Bush Industries, Inc., Mason Drive...

  14. Drought-Up-Regulated TaNAC69-1 is a Transcriptional Repressor of TaSHY2 and TaIAA7, and Enhances Root Length and Biomass in Wheat.

    PubMed

    Chen, Dandan; Richardson, Terese; Chai, Shoucheng; Lynne McIntyre, C; Rae, Anne L; Xue, Gang-Ping

    2016-10-01

    A well-known physiological adaptation process of plants encountering drying soil is to achieve water balance by reducing shoot growth and maintaining or promoting root elongation, but little is known about the molecular basis of this process. This study investigated the role of a drought-up-regulated Triticum aestivum NAC69-1 (TaNAC69-1) in the modulation of root growth in wheat. TaNAC69-1 was predominantly expressed in wheat roots at the early vegetative stage. Overexpression of TaNAC69-1 in wheat roots using OsRSP3 (essentially root-specific) and OsPIP2;3 (root-predominant) promoters resulted in enhanced primary seminal root length and a marked increase in maturity root biomass. Competitive growth analysis under water-limited conditions showed that OsRSP3 promoter-driven TaNAC69-1 transgenic lines produced 32% and 35% more above-ground biomass and grains than wild-type plants, respectively. TaNAC69-1 overexpression in the roots down-regulated the expression of TaSHY2 and TaIAA7, which are from the auxin/IAA (Aux/IAA) transcriptional repressor gene family and are the homologs of negative root growth regulators SHY2/IAA3 and IAA7 in Arabidopsis. The expression of TaSHY2 and TaIAA7 in roots was down-regulated by drought stress and up-regulated by cytokinin treatment, which inhibited root growth. DNA binding and transient expression analyses revealed that TaNAC69-1 bound to the promoters of TaSHY2 and TaIAA7, acted as a transcriptional repressor and repressed the expression of reporter genes driven by the TaSHY2 or TaIAA7 promoter. These data suggest that TaNAC69-1 is a transcriptional repressor of TaSHY2 and TaIAA7 homologous to Arabidopsis negative root growth regulators and is likely to be involved in promoting root elongation in drying soil. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  15. Pressure-induced ferroelectric to paraelectric transition in LiTaO 3 and (Li,Mg)TaO 3

    DOE PAGES

    Yamanaka, Takamitsu; Nakamoto, Yuki; Takei, Fumihiko; ...

    2016-02-16

    X-ray powder diffraction and Raman scattering of LiTaO 3 (LT) and (Li,Mg)TaO 3 (LMT) have been measured under pressure up to 46 GPa. Above 30 GPa, the ferroelectric rhombohedral phase (R3c, Z – 6) of LiTaO 3 transforms to a paraelectric orthorhombic phase (Pnma with Z – 4) with a large hysteresis. Rietveld profile fitting analysis shows that the Li-O bond is compressed and approaches that of Ta-O with pressure. The cation distribution analysis of the orthorhombic perovskite structure shows that Li and Ta are located in the octahedral 8-fold coordination sites. Difference Fourier |F obs(hkl)| - |F cal(hkl)| mapsmore » of LiTaO 3 and (Li,Mg)TaO 3 indicate polarization in the c axis direction and a more distinct electron density distribution around the Ta position for (Li,Mg)TaO 3 compared to LiTaO 3. The observed effective charges indicate that for (Li,Mg)TaO 3 without vacancies Ta 5+ becomes less ionized as a function of Mg substitution. Considering both site occupancy and effective charge analysis, Ta 5+ is reduced to Ta 4.13+. Mg 2+ and O 2- change to Mg 1.643+ and O 1.732 -, respectively. The space- and time-averaged structures of the dynamical vibration of atoms can be elucidated from the electron density analysis by difference Fourier and temperature factors T(hkl) in the structure refinement. The refinement of the temperature factor is consistent with the cation distribution assuming full stoichiometry. The residual electron density induced from the excess electron in (Li,Mg)TaO 3 indicates more electrons around the Ta site, as confirmed by the effective charge analysis. Raman spectra of LiTaO 3 and (Li,Mg)TaO 3 show notable changes over the measured pressure range. Raman peaks centered at 250 cm –1 and 350 cm –1 at ambient pressure merge above 8 GPa, which we associate with the diminishing of difference in distances between Li-O and Ta-O bonds with pressure in both materials. Finally, Raman spectra show significant changes at 28 GPa and 33 GPa for

  16. Orientation dependences of atomic structures in chemically heterogeneous Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50}/Ta glass-crystal interfaces

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yang, Guiqin; Gao, Xiaoze; Li, Jinfu

    2015-01-07

    Molecular dynamics simulations based on an angular-dependent potential were performed to examine the structural properties of chemically heterogeneous interfaces between amorphous Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50} and crystalline Ta. Several phenomena, namely, layering, crystallization, intermixing, and composition segregation, were observed in the Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50} region adjacent to the Ta layers. These interfacial behaviors are found to depend on the orientation of the underlying Ta substrate: Layering induced by Ta(110) extends the farthest into Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50}, crystallization in the Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50} region is most significant for interface against Ta(100), while inter-diffusion is most pronounced for Ta(111). It turns out thatmore » the induced layering behavior is dominated by the interlayer distances of the underlying Ta layers, while the degree of inter-diffusion is governed by the openness of the Ta crystalline layers. In addition, composition segregations are observed in all interface models, corresponding to the immiscible nature of the Cu-Ta system. Furthermore, Voronoi polyhedra 〈0,5,2,6〉 and 〈0,4,4,6〉 are found to be abundant in the vicinity of the interfaces for all models, whose presence is believed to facilitate the structural transition between amorphous and body centered cubic.« less

  17. Electrodeposition of Al-Ta alloys in NaCl-KCl-AlCl3 molten salt containing TaCl5

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sato, Kazuki; Matsushima, Hisayoshi; Ueda, Mikito

    2016-12-01

    To form Al-Ta alloys for high temperature oxidation resistance components, molten salt electrolysis was carried out in an AlCl3-NaCl-KCl melt containing TaCl5 at 423 K. The voltammogram showed two cathodic waves at 0.45 V and 0.7 V vs. Al/Al(III), which may correspond to reduction from Ta(V) to Ta(III) and from Ta(III) to tantalum metal, respectively. Electrodeposits of Al and Ta were obtained in the range from -0.05 to 0.3 V and the highest concentration of Ta in the electrodeposit was 72 at% at 0.3 V. With increasing Ta content in the alloy, the morphology of the electrodeposits became powdery and the particle size smaller.

  18. EUSO-TA prototype telescope

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bisconti, Francesca; JEM-EUSO Collaboration

    2016-07-01

    EUSO-TA is one of the prototypes developed for the JEM-EUSO project, a space-based large field-of-view telescope to observe the fluorescence light emitted by cosmic ray air showers in the atmosphere. EUSO-TA is a ground-based prototype located at the Telescope Array (TA) site in Utah, USA, where an Electron Light Source and a Central Laser Facility are installed. The purpose of the EUSO-TA project is to calibrate the prototype with the TA fluorescence detector in presence of well-known light sources and cosmic ray air showers. In 2015, the detector started the first measurements and tests using the mentioned light sources have been performed successfully. A first cosmic ray candidate has been observed, as well as stars of different magnitude and color index. Since Silicon Photo-Multipliers (SiPMs) are very promising for fluorescence telescopes of next generation, they are under consideration for the realization of a new prototype of EUSO Photo Detector Module (PDM). The response of this sensor type is under investigation through simulations and laboratory experimentation.

  19. Formation and characterization of Ta2O5/TaOx films formed by O ion implantation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ruffell, S.; Kurunczi, P.; England, J.; Erokhin, Y.; Hautala, J.; Elliman, R. G.

    2013-07-01

    Ta2O5/TaOx (oxide/suboxide) heterostructures are fabricated by high fluence O ion-implantation into deposited Ta films. The resultant films are characterized by depth profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM), four-point probe, and current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements. The measurements show that Ta2O5/TaOx oxide/suboxide heterostructures can be fabricated with the relative thicknesses of the layers controlled by implantation energy and fluence. Electrical measurements show that this approach has promise for high volume manufacturing of resistive switching memory devices based on oxide/suboxide heterostructures.

  20. Nanostructured TaON/Ta3N5 as a highly efficient type-II heterojunction photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

    PubMed

    Pei, Lang; Wang, Hongxu; Wang, Xiaohui; Xu, Zhe; Yan, Shicheng; Zou, Zhigang

    2018-06-20

    Enhancing the charge separation by a semiconductor heterojunction is greatly promising and challenging for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Here, we report for the first time the design and fabrication of a TaON/Ta3N5 heterojunction photoanode, in which the electrode Ta3N5 is the primary light absorber and TaON acts as an electron conductor. By combining the merits of the substantial light harvesting of Ta3N5 with the excellent charge transport capability of TaON, the TaON/Ta3N5 heterojunction photoanode, without any co-catalysts, shows a 350 mV negative shift of photocurrent onset potential to 0.65 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) compared to that of the Ta3N5 photoanode. The design and fabrication scheme can be readily extended to other (oxy)nitride semiconductors for heterojunction construction.

  1. Silicide formation process of Er films with Ta and TaN capping layers.

    PubMed

    Choi, Juyun; Choi, Seongheum; Kim, Jungwoo; Na, Sekwon; Lee, Hoo-Jeong; Lee, Seok-Hee; Kim, Hyoungsub

    2013-12-11

    The phase development and defect formation during the silicidation reaction of sputter-deposited Er films on Si with ∼20-nm-thick Ta and TaN capping layers were examined. TaN capping effectively prevented the oxygen incorporation from the annealing atmosphere, which resulted in complete conversion to the ErSi2-x phase. However, significant oxygen penetration through the Ta capping layer inhibited the ErSi2-x formation, and incurred the growth of several Er-Si-O phases, even consuming the ErSi2-x layer formed earlier. Both samples produced a number of small recessed defects at an early silicidation stage. However, large rectangular or square-shaped surface defects, which were either pitlike or pyramidal depending on the capping layer identity, were developed as the annealing temperature increased. The origin of different defect generation mechanisms was suggested based on the capping layer-dependent silicidation kinetics.

  2. Assessment of relative Ti, Ta, and Nb (TiTaN) enrichments in global ocean island basalts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peters, B.; Day, J. M.

    2013-12-01

    The relative sensitivity of trace element concentrations to processes governing solid-melt and solid-fluid interactions has made them particularly useful for tracing the effects of partial melting, fractional crystallization, metasomatism and similar processes on the composition of a parental melt to a rock or mineral. Radiogenic and stable isotope compositions, in contrast, can provide information on the long-term history and provenance of magmas. Despite the distinct information derived from relative and absolute abundances of trace elements compared with isotopes, numerous studies of ocean island basalts (OIB) have attempted to use trace elements as diagnostic geochemical tracers to understand parental magma compositions. In particular, attempts have been made to correlate 'TiTaN' (Ti, Ta and Nb) anomalies to the He-Os isotopic compositions of OIB based on contributions from recycled eclogite, a theoretical high-TiTaN reservoir, and peridotite, a theoretical high-3He/4He reservoir (Jackson, et al., 2008 G-cubed). These authors have proposed that TiTaN anomalies can be used as independent indicators for recycled oceanic crust and lithospheric mantle in OIB sources, a distinction previously reserved for isotopic data. However, TiTaN anomalies appear uncorrelated to OIB mantle source composition for three reasons. First, a new geochemical compilation of global OIB shows a wide range of Ti (Ti/Ti* = 0.28 - 2.35), Ta (Ta/Ta* = 0.11 - 93.42) and Nb (Nb/Nb* = 0.13 - 17.79) anomalies that do not correlated with each other or noble gas systematics, indicating that: (i) TiTaN anomalies alone do not correspond to the primitive source traced by high-3He/4He or the solar neon component and (ii) Ti, Ta and Nb anomalies may each reflect distinct processes or origins, rather than tracing a single source or process together. Second, positive Ti anomalies can be generated by low-degree (1-10%), non-modal batch partial melting of garnet lherzolite at temperatures and pressures

  3. Tribological properties of self-lubricating Ta-Cu films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qin, Wen; Fu, Licai; Zhu, Jiajun; Yang, Wulin; Li, Deyi; Zhou, Lingping

    2018-03-01

    In this paper, Ta and TaCu films were deposited by using magnetron sputtering, and the tribological properties of the films against Si3N4 balls were investigated under the loads of 2 N and 5 N. The average grain sizes of both films are below 25 nm. Ta and TaCu films have approximate hardness. While the wear rate of TaCu film is much smaller than that of Ta film. Post-wear testing XRD, Raman and XPS revealed the formation of tantalum oxide on the worn surface of both Ta and TaCu films. Tantalum oxidation is effectively lubricating to reduce friction coefficient. So the friction coefficient of both Ta and TaCu film is about 0.45 under different applied loads. Meanwhile, the addition of Cu could increase the toughness of the film, and avoid the generation of wear debris, resulting in a significant increase in wear resistance.

  4. Tuning the effective parameters in (Ta/Cu/[Ni/Co]x/Ta) multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ayareh, Zohreh; Moradi, Mehrdad; Mahmoodi, Saman

    2018-06-01

    In this paper, we report perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in a (Ta/Cu/[Ni/Co]x/Ta) multilayers structure. These typical structures usually include a multilayer of ferromagnetic and transition metal thin films. Usually, magnetic anisotropy is characterized by magnetization loops determined by magnetometer or magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). The interface between ferromagnetic and metallic layers plays an important role in magnetic anisotropy evolution from out-of-plane to in-plane in (Ta/Cu/[Ni/Co]/Ta) structure. Obtained results from MOKE and magnetometry of these samples show that they have different easy axes due to change in thickness of Cu as spacer layer and difference in number of repetition of [Ni/Co] stacks.

  5. Electronic structure and optical properties of Ta-doped and (Ta, N)-codoped SrTiO3 from hybrid functional calculations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Yanyu; Zhou, Wei; Wu, Ping

    2017-02-01

    A systematic study has been carried out to research the effect of Ta monodoping and (Ta, N)-codoping on the electronic structure and optical properties of SrTiO3. The results indicate that the incorporation of N into the SrTiO3 lattice is in favor of the substitution of Ta at a Ti site, which is the most favorable structure with respect to both the energetic stability and high photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the carrier recombination centers induced by Ta monodoping are passivated in the (Ta, N)-codoped SrTiO3 system with Ta at a Ti site. Simultaneous incorporation of N and Ta results in a band gap decreasing about 0.7 eV due to the appearance of the new states hybridized by N-p states with the O-p states above the valence band. The band alignment verifies that the (Ta, N)-codoped SrTiO3 simultaneously meets the criteria of band-edge energetic positions and band gap for the overall water splitting under visible light.

  6. O-GlcNAc-mediated interaction between VER2 and TaGRP2 elicits TaVRN1 mRNA accumulation during vernalization in winter wheat

    PubMed Central

    Xiao, Jun; Xu, Shujuan; Li, Chunhua; Xu, Yunyuan; Xing, Lijing; Niu, Yuda; Huan, Qing; Tang, Yimiao; Zhao, Changping; Wagner, Doris; Gao, Caixia; Chong, Kang

    2014-01-01

    Vernalization, sensing of prolonged cold, is important for seasonal flowering in eudicots and monocots. While vernalization silences a repressor (FLC, MADS-box transcription factor) in eudicots, it induces an activator (TaVRN1, an AP1 clade MADS-box transcription factor) in monocots. The mechanism for TaVRN1 induction during vernalization is not well understood. Here we reveal a novel mechanism for controlling TaVRN1 mRNA accumulation in response to prolonged cold sensing in wheat. The carbohydrate-binding protein VER2, a jacalin lectin, promotes TaVRN1 upregulation by physically interacting with the RNA-binding protein TaGRP2. TaGRP2 binds to TaVRN1 pre-mRNA and inhibits TaVRN1 mRNA accumulation. The physical interaction between VER2 and TaGRP2 is controlled by TaGRP2 O-GlcNAc modification, which gradually increases during vernalization. The interaction between VER2 and O-GlcNAc-TaGRP2 reduces TaGRP2 protein accumulation in the nucleus and/or promotes TaGRP2 dissociation from TaVRN1, leading to TaVRN1 mRNA accumulation. Our data reveal a new mechanism for sensing prolonged cold in temperate cereals. PMID:25091017

  7. Superstructure Ta2O5 mesocrystals derived from (NH4)2Ta2O3F6 mesocrystals with efficient photocatalytic activity.

    PubMed

    Yu, Xin; Li, Wei; Huang, Jian; Li, Zhonghua; Liu, Jiawen; Hu, PingAn

    2018-02-06

    Superstructured mesocrystalline Ta 2 O 5 nanosheets were successfully prepared from mesocrystalline (NH 4 ) 2 Ta 2 O 3 F 6 nanorods by the annealing method for the first time. The as-prepared mesocrystalline Ta 2 O 5 nanosheets in this work showed remarkable visible light absorption, mainly due to the formation of oxygen vacancy defects in the mesocrystalline Ta 2 O 5 nanosheets, which was also confirmed by XPS spectra, Raman spectra and EPR spectra. Besides, the mesocrystalline Ta 2 O 5 nanosheets showed a highly enhanced photocatalytic activity of 11 268.24 μmol g -1 h -1 , about 3.95 times that of commercial Ta 2 O 5 . Moreover, the specific surface area of the mesocrystalline Ta 2 O 5 -800 nanosheets was 16.34 m 2 g -1 , about 5.32 times that of the commercial Ta 2 O 5 (3.072 m 2 g -1 ). The valence band XPS spectra indicated a strong oxidizing ability of the mesocrystalline Ta 2 O 5 nanosheets in comparison to that of commercial Ta 2 O 5 . The formation of superstructured Ta 2 O 5 mesocrystals generated long lifetime carriers and effective conduction pathways, which greatly enhanced the photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production.

  8. Fermi surface interconnectivity and topology in Weyl fermion semimetals TaAs, TaP, NbAs, and NbP

    DOE PAGES

    Lee, Chi-Cheng; Xu, Su-Yang; Huang, Shin-Ming; ...

    2015-12-01

    The family of binary compounds including TaAs, TaP, NbAs, and NbP was recently discovered as the first realization of Weyl semimetals. In order to develop a comprehensive description of the charge carriers in these Weyl semimetals, we performed detailed and systematic electronic band structure calculations which reveal the nature of Fermi surfaces and their complex interconnectivity in TaAs, TaP, NbAs, and NbP. In conclusion, our work reports a comparative and comprehensive study of Fermi surface topology and band structure details of all known members of the Weyl semimetal family and hence provides the fundamental knowledge for realizing the many predictedmore » exotic topological quantum physics of Weyl semimetals based on the TaAs class of materials.« less

  9. Retention Model of TaO/HfO x and TaO/AlO x RRAM with Self-Rectifying Switch Characteristics.

    PubMed

    Lin, Yu-De; Chen, Pang-Shiu; Lee, Heng-Yuan; Chen, Yu-Sheng; Rahaman, Sk Ziaur; Tsai, Kan-Hsueh; Hsu, Chien-Hua; Chen, Wei-Su; Wang, Pei-Hua; King, Ya-Chin; Lin, Chrong Jung

    2017-12-01

    A retention behavior model for self-rectifying TaO/HfO x - and TaO/AlO x -based resistive random-access memory (RRAM) is proposed. Trapping-type RRAM can have a high resistance state (HRS) and a low resistance state (LRS); the degradation in a LRS is usually more severe than that in a HRS, because the LRS during the SET process is limited by the internal resistor layer. However, if TaO/AlO x elements are stacked in layers, the LRS retention can be improved. The LRS retention time estimated by extrapolation method is more than 5 years at room temperature. Both TaO/HfO x - and TaO/AlO x -based RRAM structures have the same capping layer of TaO, and the activation energy levels of both types of structures are 0.38 eV. Moreover, the additional AlO x switching layer of a TaO/AlO x structure creates a higher O diffusion barrier that can substantially enhance retention, and the TaO/AlO x structure also shows a quite stable LRS under biased conditions.

  10. Resonances in odd-odd 182Ta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brits, C. P.; Wiedeking, M.; Bello Garrote, F. L.; Bleuel, D. L.; Giacoppo, F.; Görgen, A.; Guttormsen, M.; Hadynska-Klek, K.; Hagen, T. W.; Ingeberg, V. W.; Kheswa, B. V.; Klintefjord, M.; Larsen, A. C.; Malatji, K. L.; Nyhus, H. T.; Papka, P.; Renstrøm, T.; Rose, S.; Sahin, E.; Siem, S.; Tveten, G. M.; Zeiser, F.

    2017-09-01

    Enhanced γ-decay on the tail of the giant electric dipole resonance, such as the scissors or pygmy resonances, can have significant impact on (n,γ) reaction rates. These rates are important input for modeling processes that take place in astrophysical environments and nuclear reactors. Recent results from the University of Oslo indicate the existence of a significant enhancement in the photon strength function for nuclei in the actinide region due to the scissors resonance. Further, the M1 strength distribution of the scissors resonances in rare earth nuclei has been studied extensively over the years. To investigate the evolution and persistence of the scissor resonance in other mass regions, an experiment was performed utilizing the NaI(Tl) γ-ray detector array (CACTUS) and silicon particle telescopes (SiRi) at the University of Oslo Cyclotron laboratory. Particle-γ coincidences from the 181Ta(d,p)182Ta and 181Ta(d,d')181Ta reactions were used to measure the nuclear level density and photon strength function of the well-deformed 181Ta and 182Ta systems, to investigate the existence of resonances below the neutron separation energy. Note to the reader: the title of this article has been corrected on September 19, 2017.

  11. 75 FR 43564 - TA-W-71,483, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Houston, TX; TA-W-71,483A...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-26

    ... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-71,483, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Houston, TX; TA-W-71,483A, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Tampa, FL; TA-W-71,483B, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Salt Lake City, UT; Notice of Negative Determination Regarding...

  12. The Triticum aestivum non-specific lipid transfer protein (TaLtp) gene family: comparative promoter activity of six TaLtp genes in transgenic rice.

    PubMed

    Boutrot, Freddy; Meynard, Donaldo; Guiderdoni, Emmanuel; Joudrier, Philippe; Gautier, Marie-Françoise

    2007-03-01

    Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are encoded by a multigene family and support physiological functions, which remain unclear. We adapted an efficient ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LM-PCR) procedure that enabled isolation of 22 novel Triticum aestivum nsLtp (TaLtp) genes encoding types 1 and 2 nsLTPs. A phylogenetic tree clustered the wheat nsLTPs into ten subfamilies comprising 1-7 members. We also studied the activity of four type 1 and two type 2 TaLtp gene promoters in transgenic rice using the 1-Glucuronidase reporter gene. The activities of the six promoters displayed both overlapping and distinct features in rice. In vegetative organs, these promoters were active in leaves and root vascular tissues while no beta-Glucuronidase (GUS) activity was detected in stems. In flowers, the GUS activity driven by the TaLtp7.2a, TaLtp9.1a, TaLtp9.2d, and TaLtp9.3e gene promoters was associated with vascular tissues in glumes and in the extremities of anther filaments whereas only the TaLtp9.4a gene promoter was active in anther epidermal cells. In developing grains, GUS activity and GUS immunolocalization data evidenced complex patterns of activity of the TaLtp7.1a, TaLtp9.2d, and TaLtp9.4a gene promoters in embryo scutellum and in the grain epicarp cell layer. In contrast, GUS activity driven by TaLtp7.2a, TaLtp9.1a, and TaLtp9.3e promoters was restricted to the vascular bundle of the embryo scutellum. This diversity of TaLtp gene promoter activity supports the hypothesis that the encoded TaLTPs possess distinct functions in planta.

  13. Pre-Test Analysis Predictions for the Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Checkout Tests - TA01 and TA02

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thornburgh, Robert P.; Hilburger, Mark W.

    2011-01-01

    This report summarizes the pre-test analysis predictions for the SBKF-P2-CYL-TA01 and SBKF-P2-CYL-TA02 shell buckling tests conducted at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in support of the Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor (SBKF) Project, NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Assessment. The test article (TA) is an 8-foot-diameter aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) orthogrid cylindrical shell with similar design features as that of the proposed Ares-I and Ares-V barrel structures. In support of the testing effort, detailed structural analyses were conducted and the results were used to monitor the behavior of the TA during the testing. A summary of predicted results for each of the five load sequences is presented herein.

  14. TA-55 change control manual

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Blum, T.W.; Selvage, R.D.; Courtney, K.H.

    This manual is the guide for initiating change at the Plutonium Facility, which handles the processing of plutonium as well as research on plutonium metallurgy. It describes the change and work control processes employed at TA-55 to ensure that all proposed changes are properly identified, reviewed, approved, implemented, tested, and documented so that operations are maintained within the approved safety envelope. All Laboratory groups, their contractors, and subcontractors doing work at TA-55 follow requirements set forth herein. This manual applies to all new and modified processes and experiments inside the TA-55 Plutonium Facility; general plant project (GPP) and line itemmore » funded construction projects at TA-55; temporary and permanent changes that directly or indirectly affect structures, systems, or components (SSCs) as described in the safety analysis, including Facility Control System (FCS) software; and major modifications to procedures. This manual does not apply to maintenance performed on process equipment or facility SSCs or the replacement of SSCs or equipment with documented approved equivalents.« less

  15. Drought-responsive WRKY transcription factor genes TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 from wheat confer drought and/or heat resistance in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    He, Guan-Hua; Xu, Ji-Yuan; Wang, Yan-Xia; Liu, Jia-Ming; Li, Pan-Song; Chen, Ming; Ma, You-Zhi; Xu, Zhao-Shi

    2016-05-23

    Drought stress is one of the major causes of crop loss. WRKY transcription factors, as one of the largest transcription factor families, play important roles in regulation of many plant processes, including drought stress response. However, far less information is available on drought-responsive WRKY genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), one of the three staple food crops. Forty eight putative drought-induced WRKY genes were identified from a comparison between de novo transcriptome sequencing data of wheat without or with drought treatment. TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 from WRKY Groups III and II, respectively, were selected for further investigation. Subcellular localization assays revealed that TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 were localized in the nuclei in wheat mesophyll protoplasts. Various abiotic stress-related cis-acting elements were observed in the promoters of TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that TaWRKY1 was slightly up-regulated by high-temperature and abscisic acid (ABA), and down-regulated by low-temperature. TaWRKY33 was involved in high responses to high-temperature, low-temperature, ABA and jasmonic acid methylester (MeJA). Overexpression of TaWRKY1 and TaWRKY33 activated several stress-related downstream genes, increased germination rates, and promoted root growth in Arabidopsis under various stresses. TaWRKY33 transgenic Arabidopsis lines showed lower rates of water loss than TaWRKY1 transgenic Arabidopsis lines and wild type plants during dehydration. Most importantly, TaWRKY33 transgenic lines exhibited enhanced tolerance to heat stress. The functional roles highlight the importance of WRKYs in stress response.

  16. Scaling of anomalous Hall effect in Ta/CoFeB/MgAl2O4/Ta multilayers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Yong; Zhang, Qimeng; Meng, Kangkang; Chen, Jikun; Xu, Xiaoguang; Miao, Jun; Jiang, Yong

    2017-06-01

    The anomalous Hall effect (AHE) is studied in Ta/CoFeB/MgAl2O4/Ta multilayers with different thicknesses of MgAl2O4 (t), which causes in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA) for t = 1.0 nm and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) for t ≥ 1.2 nm. Conventional scaling was demonstrated to be not inadequate in our case. The origin of the AHE in Ta/CoFeB/MgAl2O4/Ta multilayers is mainly an extrinsic mechanism. The contribution of skew scattering (SS) is unneglectable, and both the SS and side jump are enhanced when the magnetic anisotropy changes from IMA to PMA, indicating that the oxidation at the interface of CoFeB/MgAl2O4 has a dominant influence on the AHE.

  17. Two transcription factors TaPpm1 and TaPpb1 co-regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple pericarps of wheat

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Wenhui; Liu, Tianxiang; Nan, Wenzhi; Jeewani, Diddugodage Chamila; Niu, Yanlu; Li, Chunlian; Shi, Xue; Wang, Cong; Wang, Jiahuan; Li, Yang; Wang, Zhonghua

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Purple pericarps of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are a useful source of dietary anthocyanins. Previous mapping results indicated that the purple pericarp trait is controlled by two complementary genes located on chromosomes 7D and 2A. However, the identity of the genes and the mechanisms by which they regulate the trait are unknown. In this study, two transcription factors were characterised as anthocyanin activators in purple pericarps: TaPpm1 (purple pericarp-MYB 1) and TaPpb1 (purple pericarp-bHLH 1). Three non-functional variants were detected in the coding sequence of TaPpm1 from non-purple seed lines, in which the function of TaPpm1 was destroyed either by insertion-induced frame shifts or truncated peptides. There were six 261-bp tandem repeats in the promoter region of TaPpb1 in the purple-grained varieties, while there was only one repeat unit present in the non-purple varieties. Furthermore, using yeast two-hybrid, dual luciferase, yeast one-hybrid, and transient assays, we were able to demonstrate that the interaction of TaPpm1 and TaPpb1 co-regulates the synthesis of anthocyanin. Overall, our results provide a better understanding of the molecular basis of anthocyanin synthesis in the wheat pericarp and indicate the existence of an integrated regulatory mechanism that controls production. PMID:29562292

  18. The Wheat Mediator Subunit TaMED25 Interacts with the Transcription Factor TaEIL1 to Negatively Regulate Disease Resistance against Powdery Mildew.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jie; Zhang, Tianren; Jia, Jizeng; Sun, Jiaqiang

    2016-03-01

    Powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a major limitation for the production of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). However, to date, the transcriptional regulation of bread wheat defense against powdery mildew remains largely unknown. Here, we report the function and molecular mechanism of the bread wheat Mediator subunit 25 (TaMED25) in regulating the bread wheat immune response signaling pathway. Three homoalleles of TaMED25 from bread wheat were identified and mapped to chromosomes 5A, 5B, and 5D, respectively. We show that knockdown of TaMED25 by barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing reduced bread wheat susceptibility to the powdery mildew fungus during the compatible plant-pathogen interaction. Moreover, our results indicate that MED25 may play a conserved role in regulating bread wheat and barley (Hordeum vulgare) susceptibility to powdery mildew. Similarly, bread wheat ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 (TaEIL1), an ortholog of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3, negatively regulates bread wheat resistance against powdery mildew. Using various approaches, we demonstrate that the conserved activator-interacting domain of TaMED25 interacts physically with the separate amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of TaEIL1, contributing to the transcriptional activation activity of TaEIL1. Furthermore, we show that TaMED25 and TaEIL1 synergistically activate ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1 (TaERF1) transcription to modulate bread wheat basal disease resistance to B. graminis f. sp. tritici by repressing the expression of pathogenesis-related genes and deterring the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Collectively, we identify the TaMED25-TaEIL1-TaERF1 signaling module as a negative regulator of bread wheat resistance to powdery mildew. © 2016 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

  19. Structural and electronic investigations of PbTa4O11 and BiTa7O19 constructed from α-U3O8 types of layers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boltersdorf, Jonathan; Maggard, Paul A.

    2015-09-01

    The PbTa4O11 and BiTa7O19 phases were prepared by ion-exchange and solid-state methods, respectively, and their structures were characterized by neutron time-of-flight diffraction and Rietveld refinement methods (PbTa4O11, R 3 (No. 146), a=6.23700(2) Å, c=36.8613(1) Å; BiTa7O19, P 6 bar c 2 (No. 188), a=6.2197(2) Å, c=20.02981(9) Å). Their structures are comprised of layers of TaO6 octahedra surrounded by three 7-coordinate Pb(II) cations or two 8-coordinate Bi(III) cations. These layers alternate down the c-axis with α-U3O8 types of single and double TaO7 pentagonal bipyramid layers. In contrast to earlier studies, both phases are found to crystallize in noncentrosymmetric structures. Symmetry-lowering structural distortions within PbTa4O11, i.e. R 3 bar c →R3, are found to be a result of the displacement of the Ta atoms within the TaO7 and TaO6 polyhedra, towards the apical and facial oxygen atoms, respectively. In BiTa7O19, relatively lower reaction temperatures leads to an ordering of the Bi/Ta cations within a lower-symmetry structure, i.e., P63/mcm→ P 6 bar c 2 . In the absence of Bi/Ta site disorder, the Ta-O-Ta bond angles decrease and the Ta-O bond distances increase within the TaO7 double layers. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal two particle morphologies for PbTa4O11, hexagonal rods and finer irregularly-shaped particles, while BiTa7O19 forms as aggregates of irregularly-shaped particles. Electronic-structure calculations confirm the highest-energy valence band states are comprised of O 2p-orbitals and the respective Pb 6s-orbital and Bi 6s-orbital contributions. The lowest-energy conduction band states are composed of Ta 5d-orbital contributions that are delocalized over the TaO6 octahedra and layers of TaO7 pentagonal bipyramids. The symmetry-lowering distortions in the PbTa4O11 structure, and the resulting effects on its electronic structure, lead to its relatively higher photocatalytic activity compared to similar structures without

  20. Structure and Electrical Conductivity of AgTaS 3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Changkeun; Yun, Hoseop; Lee, Youngju; Shin, Heekyoon; Liou, Kwangkyoung

    1997-09-01

    Single crystals of the compound AgTaS 3have been prepared through reactions of the elements with halide mixtures. The structure of AgTaS 3has been analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. AgTaS 3crystallizes in the space group D172h- Cmcmof the orthorhombic system with four formula units in a cell of dimensions a=3.378(2), b=14.070(5), c=7.756(3) Å. The structure of AgTaS 3consists of two-dimensional 2∞[TaS -3] layers separated by Ag +cations. The layer is composed of Ta-centered bicapped trigonal prisms stacked on top of each other by sharing triangular faces. These chains are linked to form the infinite two-dimensional 2∞[TaS -3] slabs. These layers are held together through van der Waals interactions, and Ag +ions reside in the distorted octahedral sites between the layers. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity along the needle axis of AgTaS 3shows the typical behavior of an extrinsic semiconductor.

  1. The Wheat Mediator Subunit TaMED25 Interacts with the Transcription Factor TaEIL1 to Negatively Regulate Disease Resistance against Powdery Mildew1

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Tianren; Jia, Jizeng; Sun, Jiaqiang

    2016-01-01

    Powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a major limitation for the production of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). However, to date, the transcriptional regulation of bread wheat defense against powdery mildew remains largely unknown. Here, we report the function and molecular mechanism of the bread wheat Mediator subunit 25 (TaMED25) in regulating the bread wheat immune response signaling pathway. Three homoalleles of TaMED25 from bread wheat were identified and mapped to chromosomes 5A, 5B, and 5D, respectively. We show that knockdown of TaMED25 by barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing reduced bread wheat susceptibility to the powdery mildew fungus during the compatible plant-pathogen interaction. Moreover, our results indicate that MED25 may play a conserved role in regulating bread wheat and barley (Hordeum vulgare) susceptibility to powdery mildew. Similarly, bread wheat ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 (TaEIL1), an ortholog of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3, negatively regulates bread wheat resistance against powdery mildew. Using various approaches, we demonstrate that the conserved activator-interacting domain of TaMED25 interacts physically with the separate amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of TaEIL1, contributing to the transcriptional activation activity of TaEIL1. Furthermore, we show that TaMED25 and TaEIL1 synergistically activate ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1 (TaERF1) transcription to modulate bread wheat basal disease resistance to B. graminis f. sp. tritici by repressing the expression of pathogenesis-related genes and deterring the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Collectively, we identify the TaMED25-TaEIL1-TaERF1 signaling module as a negative regulator of bread wheat resistance to powdery mildew. PMID:26813794

  2. Analysis of NiAlTa precipitates in beta-NiAl + 2 at. pct Ta alloy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pathare, V.; Michal, G. M.; Vedula, K.; Nathal, M. V.

    1987-01-01

    Results are reported from experiments performed to identify the precipitates, and their orientation in the matrix, in a beta-NiAl alloy containing 2 at. pct. Ta after undergoing creep test at 1300 K. Test specimens formed by extruding hot powders were compressed at 1300 K for about 50 hr at a strain rate averaging 6/1 million per sec. The specimens were then thinned and examined under an electron microscope and by X-ray diffractometry. An intermetallic NiAlTa compound with a hexagonal Cl4 structure appeared as second phase precipitates in the samples, exhibiting plate-like shapes and a habit plane close to (012). The prism planes of the hexagonal NiAlTa precipitates paralleled the closest packed planes in the cubic beta-NiAl matrix.

  3. Superconductivity in palladium-doped 2H-TaS2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, M. H.; Li, X. C.; Dong, C.

    2018-06-01

    A series of Pd x TaS2 (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) samples were prepared and characterized via scanning electron microscope, x-ray powder diffraction, resistivity, magnetization and specific heat measurements. The lattice parameter c associated with the interlayer distance increases monotonically with the Pd content while the parameter a remains essentially constant. The crystal structure of Pd0.08TaS2 has been determined and refined by Rietveld refinement. Pd0.08TaS2 is hexagonal (space group: P31c) with lattice parameters a = 3.3151(1) Å, c = 12.1497(9) Å. The superconducting transition temperature T c (0.8 K) of TaS2 can be dramatically enhanced by Pd doping, and the maximum T c of 4.2 K, about five times the T c of pure TaS2, is obtained in Pd0.04TaS2. We have determined the superconducting parameters of Pd0.04TaS2, and found that the enhancement of T c can be attributed to the increase of density of states at the Fermi level. The charge density wave (CDW) of TaS2 is gradually suppressed with Pd doping and disappears in Pd0.06TaS2. This suggests that there is a competitive interplay between superconductivity and CDW in this system.

  4. Phase relationships in the BaO-Ga2O3-Ta2O5 system and the structure of Ba6Ga21TaO40.

    PubMed

    Cao, Jiang; Yu, Xiaodi; Kuang, Xiaojun; Su, Qiang

    2012-07-16

    Phase relationships in the BaO-Ga(2)O(3)-Ta(2)O(5) ternary system at 1200 °C were determined. The A(6)B(10)O(30) tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) related solution in the BaO-Ta(2)O(5) subsystem dissolved up to ~11 mol % Ga(2)O(3), forming a ternary trapezoid-shaped TTB-related solid solution region defined by the BaTa(2)O(6), Ba(1.1)Ta(5)O(13.6), Ba(1.58)Ga(0.92)Ta(4.08)O(13.16), and Ba(6)GaTa(9)O(30) compositions in the BaO-Ga(2)O(3)-Ta(2)O(5) system. Two ternary phases Ba(6)Ga(21)TaO(40) and eight-layer twinned hexagonal perovskite solid solution Ba(8)Ga(4-x)Ta(4+0.6x)O(24) were confirmed in the BaO-Ga(2)O(3)-Ta(2)O(5) system. Ba(6)Ga(21)TaO(40) crystallized in a monoclinic cell of a = 15.9130(2) Å, b = 11.7309(1) Å, c = 5.13593(6) Å, β = 107.7893(9)°, and Z = 1 in space group C2/m. The structure of Ba(6)Ga(21)TaO(40) was solved by the charge flipping method, and it represents a three-dimensional (3D) mixed GaO(4) tetrahedral and GaO(6)/TaO(6) octahedral framework, forming mixed 1D 5/6-fold tunnels that accommodate the Ba cations along the c axis. The electrical property of Ba(6)Ga(21)TaO(40) was characterized by using ac impedance spectroscopy.

  5. Preliminary analysis of EUSO—TA data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fenu, F.; Piotrowski, L. W.; Shin, H.; Jung, A.; Bacholle, S.; Bisconti, F.; Capel, F.; Eser, J.; Kawasaki, Y.; Kuznetsov, E.; Larsson, O.; Mackovjak, S.; Miyamoto, H.; Plebaniak, Z.; Prevot, G.; Putis, M.; Shinozaki, K.; Adams, J.; Bertaina, M.; Bobik, P.; Casolino, M.; Matthews, J. N.; Ricci, M.; Wiencke, L.; EUSO-TA Collaboration

    2016-05-01

    The EUSO-TA detector is a pathfinder for the JEM-EUSO project and is currently installed in Black Rock Mesa (Utah) on the site of the Telescope Array fluorescence detectors. Aim of this experiment is to validate the observation principle of JEM-EUSO on air showers measured from ground. The experiment gets data in coincidence with the TA triggers to increase the likelihood of cosmic ray detection. In this framework the collaboration is also testing the detector response with respect to several test events from lasers and LED flashers. Moreover, another aim of the project is the validation of the stability of the data acquisition chain in real sky condition and the optimization of the trigger scheme for the rejection of background. Data analysis is ongoing to identify cosmic ray events in coincidence with the TA detector. In this contribution we will show the response of the EUSO-TA detector to all the different typologies of events and we will show some preliminary results on the trigger optimization performed on such data.

  6. Electrical and thermal properties of Cu-Ta films prepared by magnetron sputtering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qin, Wen; Fu, Licai; Zhu, Jiajun; Yang, Wulin; Sang, Jianquan; Li, Deyi; Zhou, Lingping

    2018-06-01

    The microstructure, electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of the sputtering deposited Cu-Ta films were investigated as a function of Ta content. The results showed that the amorphous phase formed between 20 at.% and 60 at.% Ta, and out of this range α-Cu(Ta) and β-Ta(Cu) solid solutions formed. Because the lattice distortion and β-Ta structure could significantly increase the probability of electron scattering, the electrical resistivity of the Cu-Ta films shows a 'N' type change with the increase of Ta content, and the inflection point appears at 50 at.% Ta and 60 at.% Ta respectively. As the thermal conductance is also dominated by electrons in metals films, an opposite variation tendency is found in the thermal conductivity of the Cu-Ta films. According to our knowledge, this is the first time to measure the thermal conductivity of Cu-Ta thin films.

  7. TaOx-based resistive switching memories: prospective and challenges

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Resistive switching memories (RRAMs) are attractive for replacement of conventional flash in the future. Although different switching materials have been reported; however, low-current operated devices (<100 μA) are necessary for productive RRAM applications. Therefore, TaOx is one of the prospective switching materials because of two stable phases of TaO2 and Ta2O5, which can also control the stable low- and high-resistance states. Long program/erase endurance and data retention at high temperature under low-current operation are also reported in published literature. So far, bilayered TaOx with inert electrodes (Pt and/or Ir) or single layer TaOx with semi-reactive electrodes (W and Ti/W or Ta/Pt) is proposed for real RRAM applications. It is found that the memory characteristics at current compliance (CC) of 80 μA is acceptable for real application; however, data are becoming worst at CC of 10 μA. Therefore, it is very challenging to reduce the operation current (few microampere) of the RRAM devices. This study investigates the switching mode, mechanism, and performance of low-current operated TaOx-based devices as compared to other RRAM devices. This topical review will not only help for application of TaOx-based nanoscale RRAM devices but also encourage researcher to overcome the challenges in the future production. PMID:24107610

  8. New insights into the initial stages of Ta oxide nanotube formation on polycrystalline Ta electrodes.

    PubMed

    El-Sayed, Hany A; Horwood, Corie A; Abhayawardhana, Anusha D; Birss, Viola I

    2013-02-21

    Ta oxide nanotubes (NTs) were formed by the anodization of Ta at 15 V in a solution of concentrated sulfuric acid containing 0.8-1.0 M hydrofluoric acid. To study the initial stages of NT formation, FESEM images of samples anodized for very short times were obtained. The results contradict the existing explanation of the current-time data collected during anodization, which has persisted in the literature for more than two decades. In addition to providing a first-time morphological study of Ta oxide NT formation at very early stages of anodization, we also propose a new interpretation of the i-t response, showing that pores are already present in the first few milliseconds of anodization and that NTs are formed well before present models predict. This behaviour may also extend to the anodization of other valve metals, such as Al, Ti, Zr, W, and Nb.

  9. Effect of Ta concentration on the refractive index of TiO{sub 2}:Ta studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nurfani, Eka, E-mail: ekanurfani@gmail.com; Kurniawan, Robi; Muhammady, Shibghatullah

    2016-04-19

    We have investigated optical properties of Ta-doped TiO{sub 2} thin film on LaAlO{sub 3} (LAO) substrate using Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) at room temperature. Amplitude ratio Ψ and phase difference L1 between p- and s- polarized light waves are obtained by multiple incident angles measurement (60°, 70°, and 80°) at energy range of 0.5 – 6.5 eV. In order to obtain optical properties for every Ta concentrations (0.01, 0.4, and 5 at. %), multilayer modelling was performed simultaneously by using Drude-Lorentz model. Refractive index and optical dispersion parameters were determined by Wemple-DiDomenico relation. In general, refractive index at zero photon energymore » n(0) increases by increasing Ta concentration. Furthermore, optical band gap shows a significant increasing due to presence of Ta dopant. In addition, other optical constants are discussed as well.« less

  10. Effects of thickness and annealing condition on magnetic properties and thermal stabilities of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta sandwiched films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Wen-Feng; Zhang, Min-Gang; Zhang, Ke-Wei; Zhang, Hai-Jie; Xu, Xiao-Hong; Chai, Yue-Sheng

    2016-11-01

    Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta sandwiched films are deposited by magnetron sputtering on Si (100) substrates, and subsequently annealed in vacuum at different temperatures for different time. It is found that both the thickness of NdFeB and Nd layer and the annealing condition can affect the magnetic properties of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta films. Interestingly, the thickness and annealing temperature show the relevant behaviors that can affect the magnetic properties of the film. The high coercivity of 24.1 kOe (1 Oe = 79.5775 A/m) and remanence ratio (remanent magnetization/saturation magnetization) of 0.94 can be obtained in a Ta/Nd(250 nm)/NdFeB(600 nm)/Nd(250 nm)/Ta film annealed for 3 min at 1023 K. In addition, the thermal stability of the film is also linked to the thickness of NdFeB and Nd layer and the annealing temperature as well. The excellent thermal stability can be achieved in a Ta/Nd(250 nm)/NdFeB(600 nm)/Nd(250 nm)/Ta film annealed at 1023 K. Program supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51305290), the Higher Education Technical Innovation Project of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2013133), the Fund Program for the Scientific Activities of Selected Returned Overseas Professionals of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2015003), and the Program for the Key Team of Scientific and Technological Innovation of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2013131009).

  11. MUTAGENIC AND CLASTOGENIC PROPERTIES OF 3-CHLORO-4-(DICHLOROMETHYL)-5-HYDROXY-2(5H)-FURANONE: A POTENT BACTERIAL MUTAGEN IN DRINKING WATER

    EPA Science Inventory

    3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) was found to be a direct-acting mutagen in the Ames test for strains TA1535, TA1538, TA92, TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102. The highest mutagenic response (approximately 13,000 revertants/nmol) was seen in strain TA100. The TA...

  12. Myxobacterium-Produced Antibiotic TA (Myxovirescin) Inhibits Type II Signal Peptidase

    PubMed Central

    Xiao, Yao; Gerth, Klaus; Müller, Rolf

    2012-01-01

    Antibiotic TA is a macrocyclic secondary metabolite produced by myxobacteria that has broad-spectrum bactericidal activity. The structure of TA is unique, and its molecular target is unknown. Here, we sought to elucidate TA's mode of action (MOA) through two parallel genetic approaches. First, chromosomal Escherichia coli TA-resistant mutants were isolated. One mutant that showed specific resistance toward TA was mapped and resulted from an IS4 insertion in the lpp gene, which encodes an abundant outer membrane (Braun's) lipoprotein. In a second approach, the comprehensive E. coli ASKA plasmid library was screened for overexpressing clones that conferred TAr. This effort resulted in the isolation of the lspA gene, which encodes the type II signal peptidase that cleaves signal sequences from prolipoproteins. In whole cells, TA was shown to inhibit Lpp prolipoprotein processing, similar to the known LspA inhibitor globomycin. Based on genetic evidence and prior globomycin studies, a block in Lpp expression or prevention of Lpp covalent cell wall attachment confers TAr by alleviating a toxic buildup of mislocalized pro-Lpp. Taken together, these data argue that LspA is the molecular target of TA. Strikingly, the giant ta biosynthetic gene cluster encodes two lspA paralogs that we hypothesize play a role in producer strain resistance. PMID:22232277

  13. Structure of metal-oxide Ti-Ta-(Ti,Ta)xOy coatings during spark alloying and induction-thermal oxidation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koshuro, V.; Fomin, A.; Fomina, M.; Rodionov, I.; Brzhozovskii, B.; Martynov, V.; Zakharevich, A.; Aman, A.; Oseev, A.; Majcherek, S.; Hirsch, S.

    2016-08-01

    The study focuses on combined spark alloying of titanium and titanium alloy surface and porous matrix structure oxidation. The metal-oxide coatings morphology is the result of melt drop transfer, heat treatment, and oxidation. The study establishes the influence of technological regimes of alloying and oxidation on morphological heterogeneity of metal- oxide system Ti-Ta-(Ti,Ta)xOy.

  14. Wheat TaSP gene improves salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana.

    PubMed

    Ma, Xiaoli; Cui, Weina; Liang, Wenji; Huang, Zhanjing

    2015-12-01

    A novel salt-induced gene with unknown functions was cloned through analysis of gene expression profile of a salt-tolerant wheat mutant RH8706-49 under salt stress. The gene was named Triticum aestivum salt-related protein (TaSP) and deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KF307326). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results showed that TaSP expression was induced under salt, abscisic acid (ABA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) stresses. Subcellular localization revealed that TaSP was mainly localized in cell membrane. Overexpression of TaSP in Arabidopsis could improve salt tolerance of 35S::TaSP transgenic Arabidopsis. 35S::TaSP transgenic Arabidopsis lines after salt stress presented better physiological indexes than the control group. In the non-invasive micro-test (NMT), an evident Na(+) excretion was observed at the root tip of salt-stressed 35S::TaSP transgenic Arabidopsis. TaSP promoter was cloned, and its beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activities before and after ABA, salt, cold, heat, and salicylic acid (SA) stresses were determined. Full-length TaSP promoter contained ABA and salt response elements. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  15. 77 FR 47671 - TA-W-81,520, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Call Center, Allentown, PA; TA-W-81,520G, T-Mobile USA, Inc...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-09

    ... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-81,520, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Call Center, Allentown, PA; TA- W-81,520G, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Headquarters Office, Bellevue, WA; Amended... of T-Mobile USA, Inc., Call Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania (TA-W-81,520), Fort Lauderdale, Florida...

  16. Influence of Ta doping in resistive switching behavior of TiO2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barman, Arabinda; Saini, Chetan P.; Deshmukh, Sujit; Dhar, Sankar; Kanjilal, Aloke

    An approach has been made to understand the resistive switching behavior in Ta-doped TiO2 films on Pt substrates. Prior to thin film deposition, Ta-doped TiO2 powder has been synthesized chemically using Ta and Ti precursor solutions. However, the Ta doping has seriously been affected by increasing Ta concentration above 1 at% due to the segregation of Ta2O5 phase. The Ta-doped TiO2 targets have been prepared for pulsed laser deposition of the films on Pt substrates using an excitation wavelength of 248 nm. The structural and chemical properties of the Ta-doped TiO2 films have been investigated in details with the help of XRD, SIMS, XAS and XPS. The stoichiometry of the Ta-doped TiO2 films with increasing depth has been verified initially by SIMS. The electrical study of the corresponding device structures further suggests that the optimized resistive switching effect can be accomplished up to a threshold Ta-doping of 1 at%. Nevertheless, a highly conducting behavior has been shown when the TiO2 films are doped with 2 at% Ta. These results will be discussed in details in the light of defect induced resistive switching phenomenon.

  17. Redetermination of Na(3)TaF(8).

    PubMed

    Langer, Vratislav; Smrcok, Lubomír; Boca, Miroslav

    2010-09-01

    The crystal structure of trisodium octafluoridotantalate, Na(3)TaF(8), has been redetermined using diffractometer data collected at 153 K, resulting in more accurate bond distances and angles than obtained from a previous structure determination based on film data. The structure is built from layers running along [101], which are formed by distorted [TaF(8)] antiprisms and [NaF(6)] rectangular bipyramids sharing edges and corners. The individual layers are separated by eight-coordinated Na ions. Two atoms in the asymmetric unit are in special positions: the Ta atom is on a twofold axis in Wyckoff position 4e and one of the Na ions lies on an inversion centre in Wyckoff site 4d.

  18. Improved interface properties of Ge metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor with TaTiO gate dielectric by using in situ TaON passivation interlayer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ji, F.; Xu, J. P.; Liu, J. G.; Li, C. X.; Lai, P. T.

    2011-05-01

    TaON is in situ formed as a passivating interlayer in Ge metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with high-k TaTiO gate dielectric fabricated simply by alternate sputtering of Ta and Ti. Also, postdeposition annealing is performed in wet N2 to suppress the growth of unstable GeOx at the Ge surface. As a result, excellent electrical properties of the Ge MOS devices are demonstrated, such as high equivalent dielectric constant (22.1), low interface-state density (7.3×1011 cm-2 eV), small gate leakage current (8.6×10-4 A cm-2 at Vg-Vfb=1 V), and high device reliability. Transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy support that all these should be attributed to the fact that the nitrogen barrier in the TaON interlayer can effectively block the interdiffusions of Ge and Ta, and the wet-N2 anneal can significantly suppress the growth of unstable low-k GeOx.

  19. Low emissivity Ag/Ta/glass multilayer thin films deposited by sputtering

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Park, Sun Ho; Lee, Kee Sun; Green Home Energy Technology Center, Cheonan City

    Ta is deposited on a glass substrate as an interlayer for the two-dimensional growth of Ag thin films because Ta has good thermal stability and can induce a negative surface-energy change in Ag/glass. From the transmission electron microscopy results, we concluded that the Ag crystals in the bottom layer (seemingly on Ag/Ta) were flattened; this was rarely observed in the three-dimensional growth mode. Comparing Ag/Ta/glass with Ag/glass, we found that the Ta interlayer was effective in reducing both the resistance and the emissivity, accompanied by the relatively high transmittance in the visible region. In particular, Ag(9 nm)/Ta(1 nm)/glass film showedmore » 0.08 of the emissivity, including {approx}61% of the transmittance in the visible region (wavelength: 550 nm).« less

  20. Growth of <111>-oriented Cu layer on thin TaWN films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takeyama, Mayumi B.; Sato, Masaru

    2017-07-01

    In this study, we examine the growth of a <111>-oriented Cu layer on a thin TaWN ternary alloy barrier for good electromigration reliability. The strongly preferentially oriented Cu(111) layer is observed on a thin TaWN barrier even in the as-deposited Cu (100 nm)/TaWN (5 nm)/Si system. Also, this system tolerates annealing at 700 °C for 1 h without silicide reaction. It is revealed that the TaWN film is one of the excellent barriers with thermal stability and low resistivity. Simultaneously, the TaWN film is a candidate for a superior underlying material to achieve the Cu(111) preferential orientation.

  1. Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Z-Scheme Overall Water Splitting Using a MgTa2O(6-x)N(y)/TaON Heterostructure Photocatalyst for H2 Evolution.

    PubMed

    Chen, Shanshan; Qi, Yu; Hisatomi, Takashi; Ding, Qian; Asai, Tomohiro; Li, Zheng; Ma, Su Su Khine; Zhang, Fuxiang; Domen, Kazunari; Li, Can

    2015-07-13

    An (oxy)nitride-based heterostructure for powdered Z-scheme overall water splitting is presented. Compared with the single MgTa2O(6-x)N(y) or TaON photocatalyst, a MgTa2O(6-x)N(y)/TaON heterostructure fabricated by a simple one-pot nitridation route was demonstrated to effectively suppress the recombination of carriers by efficient spatial charge separation and decreased defect density. By employing Pt-loaded MgTa2O(6-x)N(y)/TaON as a H2-evolving photocatalyst, a Z-scheme overall water splitting system with an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6.8% at 420 nm was constructed (PtO(x)-WO3 and IO3(-)/I(-) pairs were used as an O2-evolving photocatalyst and a redox mediator, respectively), the activity of which is circa 7 or 360 times of that using Pt-TaON or Pt-MgTa2O(6-x)N)y) as a H2-evolving photocatalyst, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest AQE among the powdered Z-scheme overall water splitting systems ever reported. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Visible Light Assisted Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation by Ta 2O 5/Bi 2O 3, TaON/Bi 2O 3, and Ta 3N 5/Bi 2O 3 Composites

    DOE PAGES

    Adhikari, Shiba; Hood, Zachary D.; More, Karren Leslie; ...

    2015-06-15

    Composites comprised of two semiconducting materials with suitable band gaps and band positions have been reported to be effective at enhancing photocatalytic activity in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Here, we report the synthesis, complete structural and physical characterizations, and photocatalytic performance of a series of semiconducting oxide composites. UV light active tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) and visible light active tantalum oxynitride (TaON) and tantalum nitride (Ta 3N 5) were synthesized, and their composites with Bi 2O 3 were prepared in situ using benzyl alcohol as solvent. The composite prepared using equimolar amounts of Bi 2O 3 andmore » Ta 2O 5 leads to the formation of the ternary oxide, bismuth tantalate (BiTaO 4) upon calcination at 1000 °C. The composites and single phase bismuth tantalate formed were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence. The photocatalytic activities of the catalysts were evaluated for generation of hydrogen using aqueous methanol solution under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). The results show that as-prepared composite photocatalysts extend the light absorption range and restrict photogenerated charge-carrier recombination, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to individual phases. The mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity for the heterostructured composites is elucidated based on observed activity, band positions calculations, and photoluminescence data.« less

  3. Developing tTA Transgenic Rats for Inducible and Reversible Gene Expression

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Hongxia; Huang, Cao; Yang, Min; Landel, Carlisle P; Xia, Pedro Yuxing; Liu, Yong-Jian; Xia, Xu Gang

    2009-01-01

    To develop transgenic lines for conditional expression of desired genes in rats, we generated several lines of the transgenic rats carrying the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) gene. Using a vigorous, ubiquitous promoter to drive the tTA transgene, we obtained widespread expression of tTA in various tissues. Expression of tTA was sufficient to strongly activate its reporter gene, but was below the toxicity threshold. We examined the dynamics of Doxycycline (Dox)-regulated gene expression in transgenic rats. In the two transmittable lines, tTA-mediated activation of the reporter gene was fully subject to regulation by Dox. Dox dose-dependently suppressed tTA-activated gene expression. The washout time for the effects of Dox was dose-dependent. We tested a complex regime of Dox administration to determine the optimal effectiveness and washout duration. Dox was administered at a high dose (500 μg/ml in drinking water) for two days to reach the effective concentration, and then was given at a low dose (20 μg/ml) to maintain effectiveness. This regimen of Dox administration can achieve a quick switch between ON and OFF statuses of tTA-activated gene expression. In addition, administration of Dox to pregnant rats fully suppressed postnatal tTA-activated gene expression in their offspring. Sufficient levels of Dox are present in mother's milk to produce maximal efficacy in nursing neonates. Administration of Dox to pregnant or nursing rats can provide a continual suppression of tTA-dependent gene expression during embryonic and postnatal development. The tTA transgenic rat allows for inducible and reversible gene expression in the rat; this important tool will be valuable in the development of genetic rat models of human diseases. PMID:19214245

  4. New ternary tantalum borides containing boron dumbbells: Experimental and theoretical studies of Ta2OsB2 and TaRuB

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mbarki, Mohammed; Touzani, Rachid St.; Rehorn, Christian W. G.; Gladisch, Fabian C.; Fokwa, Boniface P. T.

    2016-10-01

    The new ternary transition metal-rich borides Ta2OsB2 and TaRuB have been successfully synthesized by arc-melting the elements in a water-cooled crucible under an argon atmosphere. The crystal structures of both compounds were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and their metal compositions were confirmed by EDX analysis. It was found that Ta2OsB2 and TaRuB crystallize in the tetragonal Nb2OsB2 (space group P4/mnc, no. 128) and the orthorhombic NbRuB (space group Pmma, no. 51) structure types with lattice parameters a=5.878(2) Å, c=6.857(2) Å and a=10.806(2) Å, b=3.196(1) Å, c=6.312(2) Å, respectively. Furthermore, crystallographic, electronic and bonding characteristics have been studied by density functional theory (DFT). Electronic structure relaxation has confirmed the crystallographic parameters while COHP bonding analysis indicates that B2-dummbells are the strongest bonds in both compounds. Moreover, the formation of osmium dumbbells in Ta2OsB2 through a Peierls distortion along the c-axis, is found to be the origin of superstructure formation. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that the two phases are Pauli paramagnets, thus confirming the theoretical DOS prediction of metallic character. Also hints of superconductivity are found in the two phases, however lack of single phase samples has prevented confirmation. Furthermore, the thermodynamic stability of the two modifications of AMB (A=Nb, Ta; M =Ru, Os) are studied using DFT, as new possible phases containing either B4- or B2-units are predicted, the former being the most thermodynamically stable modification.

  5. 40 CFR 79.68 - Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Potency of Extracts of Diesel and Related Environmental Emissions: Study Design, Sample Generation... the present time, TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100 are designated as tester strains. The fifth strain... this study shall be in accordance with good laboratory practice provisions under § 79.60. (1) Direct...

  6. 40 CFR 79.68 - Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Potency of Extracts of Diesel and Related Environmental Emissions: Study Design, Sample Generation... the present time, TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100 are designated as tester strains. The fifth strain... this study shall be in accordance with good laboratory practice provisions under § 79.60. (1) Direct...

  7. 40 CFR 79.68 - Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Potency of Extracts of Diesel and Related Environmental Emissions: Study Design, Sample Generation... the present time, TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100 are designated as tester strains. The fifth strain... this study shall be in accordance with good laboratory practice provisions under § 79.60. (1) Direct...

  8. 40 CFR 79.68 - Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Potency of Extracts of Diesel and Related Environmental Emissions: Study Design, Sample Generation... the present time, TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100 are designated as tester strains. The fifth strain... this study shall be in accordance with good laboratory practice provisions under § 79.60. (1) Direct...

  9. 40 CFR 79.68 - Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... Potency of Extracts of Diesel and Related Environmental Emissions: Study Design, Sample Generation... the present time, TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100 are designated as tester strains. The fifth strain... this study shall be in accordance with good laboratory practice provisions under § 79.60. (1) Direct...

  10. Evolution of resistive switching mechanism through H2O2 sensing by using TaOx-based material in W/Al2O3/TaOx/TiN structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chakrabarti, Somsubhra; Panja, Rajeswar; Roy, Sourav; Roy, Anisha; Samanta, Subhranu; Dutta, Mrinmoy; Ginnaram, Sreekanth; Maikap, Siddheswar; Cheng, Hsin-Ming; Tsai, Ling-Na; Chang, Ya-Ling; Mahapatra, Rajat; Jana, Debanjan; Qiu, Jian-Tai; Yang, Jer-Ren

    2018-03-01

    Understanding of resistive switching mechanism through H2O2 sensing and improvement of switching characteristics by using TaOx-based material in W/Al2O3/TaOx/TiN structure have been reported for the first time. Existence of amorphous Al2O3/TaOx layer in the RRAM devices has been confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. By analyzing the oxidation states of Ta2+/Ta5+ for TaOx switching material and W0/W6+ for WOx layer at the W/TaOx interface through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and H2O2 sensing, the reduction-oxidation mechanism under Set/Reset occurs only in the TaOx layer for the W/Al2O3/TaOx/TiN structures. This leads to higher Schottky barrier height at the W/Al2O3 interface (0.54 eV vs. 0.46 eV), higher resistance ratio, and long program/erase endurance of >108 cycles with 100 ns pulse width at a low operation current of 30 μA. Stable retention of more than 104 s at 85 °C is also obtained. Using conduction mechanism and reduction-oxidation reaction, current-voltage characteristic has been simulated. Both TaOx and WOx membranes have high pH sensitivity values of 47.65 mV/pH and 49.25 mV/pH, respectively. Those membranes can also sense H2O2 with a low concentration of 1 nM in an electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor structure because of catalytic activity, while the Al2O3 membrane does not show sensing. The TaOx material in W/Al2O3/TaOx/TiN structure does not show only a path towards high dense, small size memory application with understanding of switching mechanism but also can be used for H2O2 sensors.

  11. Survival of nature's rarest isotope {sup 180}Ta under stellar conditions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mohr, P.; Kaeppeler, F.; Gallino, R.

    2007-01-15

    The nucleosynthesis of nature's rarest isotope {sup 180}Ta depends sensitively on the temperature of the astrophysical environment because of depopulation of the long-living isomeric state via intermediate states to the short-living ground state by thermal photons. Reaction rates for this transition have been measured in the laboratory. These ground state rates underestimate the stellar rates dramatically because under stellar conditions intermediate states are mainly populated by excitations from thermally excited states in {sup 180m}Ta. Full thermalization of {sup 180}Ta is already achieved for typical s-process temperatures around kT=25 keV. Consequently, for the survival of {sup 180}Ta in the s-process fastmore » convective mixing is required which has to transport freshly synthesized {sup 180}Ta to cooler regions. In supernova explosions {sup 180}Ta is synthesized by photon- or neutrino-induced reactions at temperatures above T{sub 9}=1 in thermal equilibrium; independent of the production mechanism, freeze-out from thermal equilibrium occurs at kT{approx_equal}40 keV, and only 35{+-}4% of the synthesized {sup 180}Ta survive in the isomeric state.« less

  12. Vibrational properties of TaW alloy using modified embedded atom method potential

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chand, Manesh, E-mail: maneshchand@gmail.com; Uniyal, Shweta; Joshi, Subodh

    2016-05-06

    Force-constants up to second neighbours of pure transition metal Ta and TaW alloy are determined using the modified embedded atom method (MEAM) potential. The obtained force-constants are used to calculate the phonon dispersion of pure Ta and TaW alloy. As a further application of MEAM potential, the force-constants are used to calculate the local vibrational density of states and mean square thermal displacements of pure Ta and W impurity atoms with Green’s function method. The calculated results are found to be in agreement with the experimental measurements.

  13. Functional Conservation and Divergence among Homoeologs of TaSPL20 and TaSPL21, Two SBP-Box Genes Governing Yield-Related Traits in Hexaploid Wheat1[OPEN

    PubMed Central

    Mao, Xinguo; Li, Ang; Wang, Jingyi; Chang, Xiaoping; Zhang, Xueyong

    2017-01-01

    Maintaining high and stable yields has become an increasing challenge in wheat breeding due to climate change. Although Squamosa-promoter binding protein (SBP)-box genes have important roles in plant development, very little is known about the actual biological functions of wheat SBP-box family members. Here, we dissect the functional conservation, divergence, and exploitation of homoeologs of two paralogous TaSPL wheat loci during domestication and breeding. TaSPL20 and TaSPL21 were highly expressed in the lemma and palea. Ectopic expressions of TaSPL20/21 in rice exhibited similar functions in terms of promoting panicle branching but had different functions during seed development. We characterized all six TaSPL20/21 genes located across the three homoeologous (A, B, and D) genomes. According to the functional analysis of naturally occurring variants in 20 environments, four favorable haplotypes were identified. Together, they reduced plant height by up to 27.5%, and TaSPL21-6D-HapII increased 1000-grain weight by 9.73%. Our study suggests that TaSPL20 and TaSPL21 homoeologs underwent diversification in function with each evolving its own distinctive characteristics. During domestication and breeding of wheat in China, favorable haplotypes of each set were selected and exploited to varying degrees due to their large effects on plant height and 1000-grain weight. PMID:28424214

  14. Dependence of Interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction on Layer Thicknesses in Ta /Co -Fe -B /TaOx Heterostructures from Brillouin Light Scattering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chaurasiya, Avinash Kumar; Choudhury, Samiran; Sinha, Jaivardhan; Barman, Anjan

    2018-01-01

    The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (IDMI) has recently drawn extensive research interest due to its fundamental role in stabilizing chiral spin textures in ultrathin ferromagnets, which are suitable candidates for future magnetic-memory devices. Here, we explore the ferromagnetic and heavy-metal layer-thickness dependence of IDMI in technologically important Ta /Co20Fe60B20/TaOx heterostructures by measuring nonreciprocity in spin-wave frequency using the Brillouin light-scattering technique. The observed value of the IDMI constant agrees with that obtained from a separate measurement of in-plane angular dependence of frequency nonreciprocity, which is also in good agreement with the theory predicted by Cortes-Ortuno and Landeros. Linear scaling behavior of IDMI with the inverse of Co-Fe-B thicknesses suggests that IDMI originates primarily from the interface in these heterostructures, whereas we observe a weak dependence of Ta thickness on the strength of IDMI. Importantly, the observed value of the IDMI constant is reasonably large by a factor of 3 compared to annealed Ta /Co -Fe -B /MgO heterostructures. We propose that the observation of large IDMI is likely due to the absence of boron diffusion towards the Ta /Co -Fe -B interface as the heterostructures are as deposited. Our detailed investigation opens up a route to designing thin-film heterostructures with the tailored IDMI constant for controlling Skyrmion-based magnetic-memory devices.

  15. Mutagenic and clastogenic properties of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2 (5H)-furanone: a potent bacterial mutagen in drinking water

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Meier, J.R.; Blazak, W.F.; Knohl, R.B.

    1987-01-01

    3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) was found to be a direct-acting mutagen in the Ames test for strains TA1535, TA1538, TA92, TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102. The highest mutagenic response (approximately 13,000 revertants/nmol) was seen in strain TA100. The TA100 response was six- to tenfold higher than in TA98, TA97, and TA102, and 100- to 500-fold higher than in TA1535, TA92, and TA1538. The addition of a 9,000 x g supernatant fraction (S-9) from livers of polychlorinated biphenyl-treated rats, along with cofactors for NADPH generation, resulted in a 90% reduction in the TA100 mutagenicity. MX induced chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cellsmore » after 6-8 hr exposure without S-9 at a dose as low as 4 micrograms/ml, and after 2 hr exposure with S-9 at a dose of 75 micrograms/ml. The oral dose of MX lethal to 50% (LD50) in Swiss-Webster mice was determined to be 128 mg/kg. MX did not induce micronuclei in mouse bone marrow when administered by oral gavage at doses up to 70% of the LD50.« less

  16. Using the TA to Prepare Graduate Students for Research and Employment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heller, Kenneth

    One of the most underused components of the physics graduate program is the time spent being a teaching assistant (TA). Often the TA duties consist of grading and trying to help undergraduates survive a physics course. How those duties are accomplished is left to each TA. The most common TA preparation, if it exists, has a narrow focus on the class being taught. Preparation consists of describing, or perhaps practicing, specific teaching skills and gaining familiarity with the equipment used in the laboratory portion of the class. Instead TAs can be integrated into the entire course in which they function so that they learn the course as a system. This means treating a course in the same way one approaches a research project with the TAs as members of the research team headed by a faculty advisor. TA preparation is broadened and support includes the management, teamwork, and communication skills necessary. This makes the TAs more efficient and effective teachers while explicitly connecting the TA experience to the ``soft'' skills they need in their own research careers whether in industry, national laboratories, or academia. This talk describes such a program, functioning for over 20 years at the University of Minnesota, that takes no more time than the usual TA but results in graduate students that are more satisfied with their TA experience, are better prepared to function in research groups, and provide a better classroom experience for their undergraduate students.

  17. TaER Expression Is Associated with Transpiration Efficiency Traits and Yield in Bread Wheat

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Jiacheng; Yang, Zhiyuan; Madgwick, Pippa J.; Carmo-Silva, Elizabete; Parry, Martin A. J.; Hu, Yin-Gang

    2015-01-01

    ERECTA encodes a receptor-like kinase and is proposed as a candidate for determining transpiration efficiency of plants. Two genes homologous to ERECTA in Arabidopsis were identified on chromosomes 6 (TaER2) and 7 (TaER1) of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), with copies of each gene on the A, B and D genomes of wheat. Similar expression patterns were observed for TaER1 and TaER2 with relatively higher expression of TaER1 in flag leaves of wheat at heading (Z55) and grain-filling (Z73) stages. Significant variations were found in the expression levels of both TaER1 and TaER2 in the flag leaves at both growth stages among 48 diverse bread wheat varieties. Based on the expression of TaER1 and TaER2, the 48 wheat varieties could be classified into three groups having high (5 varieties), medium (27 varieties) and low (16 varieties) levels of TaER expression. Significant differences were also observed between the three groups varying for TaER expression for several transpiration efficiency (TE)- related traits, including stomatal density (SD), transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate (A), instant water use efficiency (WUEi) and carbon isotope discrimination (CID), and yield traits of biomass production plant-1 (BYPP) and grain yield plant-1 (GYPP). Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of TaER1 and TaER2 at the two growth stages was significantly and negatively associated with SD (P<0.01), transpiration rate (P<0.05) and CID (P<0.01), while significantly and positively correlated with flag leaf area (FLA, P<0.01), A (P<0.05), WUEi (P<0.05), BYPP (P<0.01) and GYPP (P<0.01), with stronger correlations for TaER1 than TaER2 and at grain-filling stage than at heading stage. These combined results suggested that TaER involved in development of transpiration efficiency -related traits and yield in bread wheat, implying a function for TaER in regulating leaf development of bread wheat and contributing to expression of these traits. Moreover, the results indicate

  18. TaER Expression Is Associated with Transpiration Efficiency Traits and Yield in Bread Wheat.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Jiacheng; Yang, Zhiyuan; Madgwick, Pippa J; Carmo-Silva, Elizabete; Parry, Martin A J; Hu, Yin-Gang

    2015-01-01

    ERECTA encodes a receptor-like kinase and is proposed as a candidate for determining transpiration efficiency of plants. Two genes homologous to ERECTA in Arabidopsis were identified on chromosomes 6 (TaER2) and 7 (TaER1) of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), with copies of each gene on the A, B and D genomes of wheat. Similar expression patterns were observed for TaER1 and TaER2 with relatively higher expression of TaER1 in flag leaves of wheat at heading (Z55) and grain-filling (Z73) stages. Significant variations were found in the expression levels of both TaER1 and TaER2 in the flag leaves at both growth stages among 48 diverse bread wheat varieties. Based on the expression of TaER1 and TaER2, the 48 wheat varieties could be classified into three groups having high (5 varieties), medium (27 varieties) and low (16 varieties) levels of TaER expression. Significant differences were also observed between the three groups varying for TaER expression for several transpiration efficiency (TE)- related traits, including stomatal density (SD), transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate (A), instant water use efficiency (WUEi) and carbon isotope discrimination (CID), and yield traits of biomass production plant-1 (BYPP) and grain yield plant-1 (GYPP). Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of TaER1 and TaER2 at the two growth stages was significantly and negatively associated with SD (P<0.01), transpiration rate (P<0.05) and CID (P<0.01), while significantly and positively correlated with flag leaf area (FLA, P<0.01), A (P<0.05), WUEi (P<0.05), BYPP (P<0.01) and GYPP (P<0.01), with stronger correlations for TaER1 than TaER2 and at grain-filling stage than at heading stage. These combined results suggested that TaER involved in development of transpiration efficiency -related traits and yield in bread wheat, implying a function for TaER in regulating leaf development of bread wheat and contributing to expression of these traits. Moreover, the results indicate

  19. Processing and characterization of zeta-Ta4C 3-x: A high toughness tantalum carbide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sygnatowicz, Michael M.

    Tantalum carbides are commonly processed by hot-pressing, canned hot-isostatic-pressing, or spark-plasma sintering because of their high melting temperatures and low diffusivities. This study reports processing of dense ζ-Ta4C 3-x by reaction sintering of a Ta and TaC powder mixture (C/Ta atomic ratio = 0.66). ζ-Ta4C3-x is of interest due to its rhombohedral (trigonal) crystal structure that may be characterized as a polytype with both face-centered-cubic (fcc) and hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) Ta stacking sequences interrupted by stacking faults and missing carbon layers. This structure leads to easy cleaving on the basal planes and high fracture toughness. A key step in processing is the hydrogenation of the Ta powder to produce beta-TaH x, a hard and brittle phase that enables efficient comminution during milling and production of small, equiaxed Ta particles that can be packed to high green density with the TaC powder. Studies of phase evolution by quantitative X-ray diffraction during sintering revealed several intermediate reactions: (a) decomposition of beta-TaHx to Ta, (b) diffusion of C from gamma-TaC to Ta leading to the formation of α-Ta2Cy' with the kinetics described by the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) equation with an exponent, n = 0.5, and an activation energy of 221 kJ/mole, (c) equilibration of α-Ta2Cy' and gamma-TaC 0.78 phases, and (d) formation of ζ-Ta4C2.56 from the equilibrated α-Ta2C and gamma-TaC0.78 phases with the kinetics characterized by a higher JMAK exponent ( n ≈ 3) and higher activation energy (1089 kJ/mole). The microstructure showed evidence of nucleation and growth of the ζ-Ta4C 2.56 phase in both the α-Ta2C and gamma-TaC0.78 parent phases with distinct difference in the morphology due to the different number of variants of the habit plane. A hot-pressed and hot-isostatic-pressed (HIPed) material (C/Ta atomic ratio = 0.66), having formed 95 w% ζ-phase, attained a fracture toughness of 15.6 +/- 0.5 MPa√m and a

  20. Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Ta2N Nanoceramic Coating in Simulated Body Fluid

    PubMed Central

    Cheng, Jian; Xu, Jiang; Liu, Lin Lin; Jiang, Shuyun

    2016-01-01

    In order to improve the corrosion and wear resistance of biomedical Ti-6Al-4V implants, a Ta2N nanoceramic coating was synthesized on a Ti-6Al-4V substrate by the double glow discharge plasma process. The Ta2N coating, composed of fine nanocrystals, with an average grain size of 12.8 nm, improved the surface hardness of Ti-6Al-4V and showed good contact damage tolerance and good adhesion strength to the substrate. The corrosion resistance of the Ta2N coating in Ringer’s physiological solution at 37 °C was evaluated by different electrochemical techniques: potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiostatic polarization and capacitance measurements (Mott-Schottky approach). The evolution of the surface composition of the passive films at different applied potentials was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the Ta2N coating showed higher corrosion resistance than both commercially pure Ta and uncoated Ti-6Al-4V in this solution, because of the formed oxide film on the Ta2N coating having a smaller carrier density (Nd) and diffusivity (Do) of point defects. The composition of the surface passive film formed on the Ta2N coating changed with the applied potential. At low applied potentials, the oxidation of the Ta2N coating led to the formation of tantalum oxynitride (TaOxNy) but, subsequently, the tantalum oxynitride (TaOxNy) could be chemically converted to Ta2O5 at higher applied potentials. PMID:28773893

  1. Nanostructured Ti-Ta thin films synthesized by combinatorial glancing angle sputter deposition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Motemani, Yahya; Khare, Chinmay; Savan, Alan; Hans, Michael; Paulsen, Alexander; Frenzel, Jan; Somsen, Christoph; Mücklich, Frank; Eggeler, Gunther; Ludwig, Alfred

    2016-12-01

    Ti-Ta alloys are attractive materials for applications in actuators as well as biomedical implants. When fabricated as thin films, these alloys can potentially be employed as microactuators, components for micro-implantable devices and coatings on surgical implants. In this study, Ti100-x Ta x (x = 21, 30) nanocolumnar thin films are fabricated by glancing angle deposition (GLAD) at room temperature using Ti73Ta27 and Ta sputter targets. Crystal structure, morphology and microstructure of the nanostructured thin films are systematically investigated by XRD, SEM and TEM, respectively. Nanocolumns of ˜150-160 nm in width are oriented perpendicular to the substrate for both Ti79Ta21 and Ti70Ta30 compositions. The disordered α″ martensite phase with orthorhombic structure is formed in room temperature as-deposited thin films. The columns are found to be elongated small single crystals which are aligned perpendicular to the (20\\bar{4}) and (204) planes of α″ martensite, indicating that the films’ growth orientation is mainly dominated by these crystallographic planes. Laser pre-patterned substrates are utilized to obtain periodic nanocolumnar arrays. The differences in seed pattern, and inter-seed distances lead to growth of multi-level porous nanostructures. Using a unique sputter deposition geometry consisting of Ti73Ta27 and Ta sputter sources, a nanocolumnar Ti-Ta materials library was fabricated on a static substrate by a co-deposition process (combinatorial-GLAD approach). In this library, a composition spread developed between Ti72.8Ta27.2 and Ti64.4Ta35.6, as confirmed by high-throughput EDX analysis. The morphology over the materials library varies from well-isolated nanocolumns to fan-like nanocolumnar structures. The influence of two sputter sources is investigated by studying the resulting column angle on the materials library. The presented nanostructuring methods including the use of the GLAD technique along with pre-patterning and a

  2. TaCYP78A5 regulates seed size in wheat (Triticum aestivum).

    PubMed

    Ma, Meng; Zhao, Huixian; Li, Zhaojie; Hu, Shengwu; Song, Weining; Liu, Xiangli

    2016-03-01

    Seed size is an important agronomic trait and a major component of seed yield in wheat. However, little is known about the genes and mechanisms that determine the final seed size in wheat. Here, we isolated TaCYP78A5, the orthologous gene of Arabidopsis CYP78A5/KLUH in wheat, from wheat cv. Shaan 512 and demonstrated that the expression of TaCYP78A5 affects seed size. TaCYP78A5 encodes the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 78A5 protein in wheat and rescued the phenotype of the Arabidopsis deletion mutant cyp78a5. By affecting the extent of integument cell proliferation in the developing ovule and seed, TaCYP78A5 influenced the growth of the seed coat, which appears to limit seed growth. TaCYP78A5 silencing caused a 10% reduction in cell numbers in the seed coat, resulting in a 10% reduction in seed size in wheat cv. Shaan 512. By contrast, the overexpression of TaCYP78A5 increased the number of cells in the seed coat, resulting in seed enlargement of ~11-35% in Arabidopsis. TaCYP78A5 activity was positively correlated with the final seed size. However, TaCYP78A5 overexpression significantly reduced seed set in Arabidopsis, possibly due to an ovule development defect. TaCYP78A5 also influenced embryo development by promoting embryo integument cell proliferation during seed development. Accordingly, a working model of the influence of TaCYP7A5 on seed size was proposed. This study provides direct evidence that TaCYP78A5 affects seed size and is a potential target for crop improvement. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  3. Promising Ta-Ti-Zr-Si metallic glass coating without cytotoxic elements for bio-implant applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lai, J. J.; Lin, Y. S.; Chang, C. H.; Wei, T. Y.; Huang, J. C.; Liao, Z. X.; Lin, C. H.; Chen, C. H.

    2018-01-01

    Tantalum (Ta) is considered as one of the most promising metal due to its high corrosion resistance, excellent biocompatibility and cell adhesion/in-growth capabilities. Although there are some researches exploring the biomedical aspects of Ta and Ta based alloys, systematic characterizations of newly developed Ta-based metallic glasses in bio-implant applications is still lacking. This study employs sputtering approach to produced thin-film Ti-based metallic glasses due to the high melting temperature of Ta (3020 °C). Two fully amorphous Ta-based metallic glasses composed of Ta57Ti17Zr15Si11 and Ta75Ti10Zr8Si7 are produced and experimentally characterized in terms of their mechanical properties, bio-corrosion properties, surface hydrophilic characteristics, and in-vitro cell viability and cells attachment tests. Compare to conventional pure Ti and Ta metals, the developed Ta-based metallic glasses exhibit higher hardness and lower modulus which are better match to the mechanical properties of bone. MTS assay results show that Ta-based metallic glasses show comparable cell viability and cell attachment rate compared to that of pure Ti and Ta surface in a 72 h in-vitro test.

  4. The Joint Strength and Fracture Mechanisms of TC4/TC4 and TA0/TA0 Brazed with Ti-25Cu-15Ni Braze Alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zou, Zhihuan; Zeng, Fanhao; Wu, Haobo; Liu, Jian; Li, Yi; Gu, Yi; Yuan, Tiechui; Zhang, Fuqin

    2017-05-01

    In this paper, Ti-25Cu-15Ni (mass ratio) braze alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting. Additionally, the TA0 pure titanium and TC4 titanium alloy were brazed with the Ti-25Cu-15Ni braze alloy at 960, 980, 1000, 1020, and 1040 °C. The effects of the braze temperature on the tensile strength of the TA0 and TC4 joints and their fracture mechanisms were studied. The maximum tensile strength of the TA0 joints of 219.9 ± 0.1 MPa was achieved at a brazing temperature of 980 °C, and the maximum tensile strength of the TC4 joints of 832.9 ± 0.1 MPa was achieved at the same brazing temperature. These results indicate that their ideal joint strength is comparable. According to the fractography results of the TA0 joints, a mixed fracture morphology is indicated. The TA0 fracture surface is dominated by cleavage fracture with a small contribution from ductile fracture. The TC4 joint fracture arises from cleavage.

  5. Ta-Pt Alloys as Gate Materials for Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor Application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Chih-Feng; Tsui, Bing-Yue

    2009-03-01

    In this work we explore the thermal stability of sputter-deposited Ta-rich Ta-Pt alloys. The effects of group III and V impurities on their work function are also investigated. The Ta content ranges from 65 to 82 at. %. The main phase is σ Ta-Pt. The binding energies of core-level electrons of Ta and Pt are changed due to the intermixing of Ta and Pt, which is evidence that the work function of alloys is changed in metallic alloy systems. Binding energies are thermally stable up to 800 °C. Moreover, the incorporation of Pt in Ta film induces poor crystallization and a compound phase of Ta-Pt alloys. Transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the absence of a clear grain boundary in Ta-Pt alloys. The Ta and Pt depth profile shows uniformity in depth after 800 °C annealing for 30 min. The diffusion and distribution of impurities in the alloys were studied by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Arsenic cannot diffuse in the alloys following annealing at 800 °C for 30 s. In contrast, boron can easily diffuse at 800 °C. The incorporation of impurities with a dosage of 5 ×1015 cm-2 in 60 nm Ta-Pt alloy by implantation did not significantly change the flat-band voltage following annealing at 800 °C.

  6. Amorphization of Ta2O5 under swift heavy ion irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cusick, Alex B.; Lang, Maik; Zhang, Fuxiang; Sun, Kai; Li, Weixing; Kluth, Patrick; Trautmann, Christina; Ewing, Rodney C.

    2017-09-01

    Crystalline Ta2O5 powder is shown to amorphize under 2.2 GeV 197Au ion irradiation. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the structural transition from crystalline to fully-amorphous. Based on Rietveld refinement of XRD data, the initial structure is orthorhombic (P2mm) with a very large unit cell (a = 6.20, b = 40.29, c = 3.89 Å; V = 971.7 Å3), ideally containing 22 Ta and 55 O atoms. At a fluence of approximately 3 × 1011 ions/cm2, a diffuse amorphous background becomes evident, increasing in intensity relative to diffraction maxima until full amorphization is achieved at approximately 3 × 1012 ions/cm2. An anisotropic distortion of the orthorhombic structure occurred during the amorphization process, with an approximately constant unit cell volume. The amorphous phase fraction as a function of fluence was determined, yielding a trend that is consistent with a direct-impact model for amorphization. SAXS and TEM data indicate that ion tracks exhibit a core-shell morphology. Raman data show that the amorphous phase is comprised of TaO6 and TaO5 coordination-polyhedra in contrast to the TaO6 and TaO7 units that exist in crystalline Ta2O5. Analysis of Raman data shows that oxygen-deficiency increases with fluence, indicating a loss of oxygen that leads to an estimated final stoichiometry of Ta2O4.2 at a fluence of 1 × 1013 ions/cm2.

  7. Optical spectroscopy of the Weyl semimetal TaAs

    DOE PAGES

    Xu, B.; Dai, Y. M.; Zhao, L. X.; ...

    2016-03-24

    Here, we present a systematic study of both the temperature and frequency dependence of the optical response in TaAs, a material that has recently been realized to host the Weyl semimetal state. Our study reveals that the optical conductivity of TaAs features a narrow Drude response alongside a conspicuous linear dependence on frequency. The weight of the Drude peak decreases upon cooling, following a T 2 temperature dependence, in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Two linear components with distinct slopes dominate the low-temperature optical conductivity. A comparison between our experimental results and theoretical calculations suggests that the linear conductivity belowmore » ~230 cm –1 arises purely from interband transitions near the Weyl points, providing rich information about the Weyl semimetal state in TaAs.« less

  8. Room-Temperature and High-Temperature Tensile Mechanical Properties of TA15 Titanium Alloy and TiB Whisker-Reinforced TA15 Matrix Composites Fabricated by Vacuum Hot-Pressing Sintering

    PubMed Central

    Feng, Yangju; Zhang, Wencong; Zeng, Li; Cui, Guorong; Chen, Wenzhen

    2017-01-01

    In this paper, the microstructure, the room-temperature and high-temperature tensile mechanical properties of monolithic TA15 alloy and TiB whisker-reinforced TA15 titanium matrix composites (TiBw/TA15) fabricated by vacuum hot-pressing sintering were investigated. The microstructure results showed that there were no obvious differences in the microstructure between monolithic TA15 alloy and TiBw/TA15 composites, except whether or not the grain boundaries contained TiBw. After sintering, the matrix microstructure presented a typical Widmanstätten structure and the size of primary β grain was consistent with the size of spherical TA15 titanium metallic powders. This result demonstrated that TiBw was not the only factor limiting grain coarsening of the primary β grain. Moreover, the grain coarsening of α colonies was obvious, and high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) were distributed within the primary β grain. In addition, TiBw played an important role in the microstructure evolution. In the composites, TiBw were randomly distributed in the matrix and surrounded by a large number of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs). Globularization of α phase occurred prior, near the TiBw region, because TiBw provided the nucleation site for the equiaxed α phase. The room-temperature and high-temperature tensile results showed that TiBw distributed at the primary β grain boundaries can strengthen the grain boundary, but reduce the connectivity of the matrix. Therefore, compared to the monolithic TA15 alloy fabricated by the same process, the tensile strength of the composites increased, and the tensile elongation decreased. Moreover, with the addition of TiBw, the fracture mechanism was changed to a mixture of brittle fracture and ductile failure (composites) from ductile failure (monolithic TA15 alloy). The fracture surfaces of TiBw/TA15 composites were the grain boundaries of the primary β grain where the majority of TiB whiskers distributed, i.e., the surfaces of the

  9. Room-Temperature and High-Temperature Tensile Mechanical Properties of TA15 Titanium Alloy and TiB Whisker-Reinforced TA15 Matrix Composites Fabricated by Vacuum Hot-Pressing Sintering.

    PubMed

    Feng, Yangju; Zhang, Wencong; Zeng, Li; Cui, Guorong; Chen, Wenzhen

    2017-04-18

    In this paper, the microstructure, the room-temperature and high-temperature tensile mechanical properties of monolithic TA15 alloy and TiB whisker-reinforced TA15 titanium matrix composites (TiBw/TA15) fabricated by vacuum hot-pressing sintering were investigated. The microstructure results showed that there were no obvious differences in the microstructure between monolithic TA15 alloy and TiBw/TA15 composites, except whether or not the grain boundaries contained TiBw. After sintering, the matrix microstructure presented a typical Widmanstätten structure and the size of primary β grain was consistent with the size of spherical TA15 titanium metallic powders. This result demonstrated that TiBw was not the only factor limiting grain coarsening of the primary β grain. Moreover, the grain coarsening of α colonies was obvious, and high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) were distributed within the primary β grain. In addition, TiBw played an important role in the microstructure evolution. In the composites, TiBw were randomly distributed in the matrix and surrounded by a large number of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs). Globularization of α phase occurred prior, near the TiBw region, because TiBw provided the nucleation site for the equiaxed α phase. The room-temperature and high-temperature tensile results showed that TiBw distributed at the primary β grain boundaries can strengthen the grain boundary, but reduce the connectivity of the matrix. Therefore, compared to the monolithic TA15 alloy fabricated by the same process, the tensile strength of the composites increased, and the tensile elongation decreased. Moreover, with the addition of TiBw, the fracture mechanism was changed to a mixture of brittle fracture and ductile failure (composites) from ductile failure (monolithic TA15 alloy). The fracture surfaces of TiBw/TA15 composites were the grain boundaries of the primary β grain where the majority of TiB whiskers distributed, i.e., the surfaces of the

  10. Anisotropic thermal transport in Weyl semimetal TaAs: a first principles calculation.

    PubMed

    Ouyang, Tao; Xiao, Huaping; Tang, Chao; Hu, Ming; Zhong, Jianxin

    2016-06-22

    A fundamental understanding of the phonon transport property is crucial to predict the thermal management performance in micro/nano-electronic devices. By combining first principle calculations and Boltzmann phonon transport equation, we investigate thermal transport in TaAs-a typical Weyl semimetal. The lattice thermal conductivity of TaAs at room temperature was found to be 39.26 W mK(-1) and 24.78 W mK(-1) along the a(b) and c crystal axis, respectively, showing obvious anisotropy. Detailed analyses of the mode level phonon properties further revealed that the three acoustic phonon modes dominate the overall thermal transport and the major phonon scattering channels in this typical Weyl semimetal were TA1/TA2/LA + O ↔ O and A + A ↔ O. The representative phonon mean free path of TaAs was also calculated in this paper, which provide helpful guidance for the thermal management of TaAs-based electronic devices.

  11. Stoichiometry and tribological behavior of thick Ta(N) coatings produced by direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Xiaotong; Niu, Yunsong; Chen, Minghui; Sun, Wenyao; Zhu, Shenglong; Wang, Fuhui

    2018-01-01

    Thick Ta(N) coating of 51 μm has been successfully obtained by DCMS technology. Ta(N) is a kind of distorted Ta matrix, which is inter-soluble with N-defect lattice structure, forming the disabled bcc structure. From the XRD and XPS investigations, the composition of Ta(N) coating is consisted of bcc-Ta and bcc-TaN0.06, while that of Ta coating mainly contains β-Ta phase. It can be concluded from wear test, nanoindentation test and SEM observations, wear resistance of Ta(N) coating is much better than that of Ta coating, due to its high hardness, H/E, H3/E2 value and low COF value. The wear mechanism of Ta coating is the compound fatigue and abrasive wear, while that of Ta(N) coating is transformed into adhesive wear mechanism. The secondary adhesion of the plastic deformation for the Ta(N) coating can reinforce the coated surface, to improve the load-bearing and anti-wear capacities, and thus improve the wear resistance.

  12. Kinetics of Ta ions penetration into porous low-k dielectrics under bias-temperature stress

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, Ming; Ou, Ya; Wang, Pei-I.; Lu, Toh-Ming

    2010-05-01

    It is known that Ta, a popular diffusion barrier material, can itself penetrate into low-k dielectrics under bias-temperature stress. In this work, we derived a model which directly correlates the diffusivity of Ta ions to the rate of flatband voltage shift (FBS) of the Ta/methyl silsesquixane (MSQ)/Si capacitors. From our experimentally measured constant FBS rate, the Ta diffusivity and activation energy were determined. It appears that an increase in the porosity of MSQ film enhances the Ta diffusivity but does not affect the associated activation energy. This suggests the Ta ion diffusion is mainly through interconnected pore surfaces.

  13. Preliminary study of the biomechanical behavior and physical characteristics of tantalum (Ta)-coated prostheses.

    PubMed

    Duan, Yonghong; Liu, Lie; Wang, Ling; Guo, Fei; Li, Haoping; Shi, Lei; Li, Mao; Yin, Dayu; Jiang, Chi; Zhu, Qingsheng

    2012-03-01

    Use of Ta biomaterials in medicine started in the middle of the last century. The good biocompatibility and chemical stability, and the unique physical characteristics of Ta metal have resulted in many possible developments of Ta biomaterials. In this study, histopathological observation, histomorphometric analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, biomechanical testing, and examination of the coating's mechanical strength have been used to evaluate the value of clinical application of Ta-coated prostheses prepared by a plasma-spraying process. Histopathological observation has demonstrated that the periprosthetic new bone tissues tightly and stably adhere to the Ta coating after the implantation, with no signs of loosening. Early after implantation, there is no significant difference in periprosthetic bone volume and ultimate shear strength between Ta-coated and Ti-coated prostheses (P > 0.05). EDX analysis suggests that the ultimate shear stress does not damage Ta coating. Mechanical strength testing shows that the adhesive strength and Vicker's surface hardness (HV) of the Ta coating are significantly higher than those of the Ti coating (P < 0.01). Ta coating has good stability and bone biocompatibility; the extraordinary physical characteristics of Ta coating have great significance in maintaining prosthetic stability and surface porosity after implantation.

  14. Magnetic, thermal, and optical properties of single-crystalline CoTa2O6 and FeTa2O6 and their anisotropic magnetocaloric effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Christian, A. B.; Schye, A. T.; White, K. O.; Neumeier, J. J.

    2018-05-01

    The magnetic, thermal, and optical properties of single-crystalline CoTa2O6 and FeTa2O6 are reported. Optical dichroism was observed in CoTa2O6. Magnetic susceptibility χ(T) measurements reveal long-range antiferromagnetic order with Néel temperatures K and 8.11(5) K, respectively, and anisotropy in χ. The thermal expansion coefficients exhibit significant anisotropy and the influence of the magnetic ions and long-range order. A structural phase transition to orthorhombic occurs below T N for FeTa2O6. Magnetic field H lowers T N with its affect largest when H is directed along either [1 1 0] or [1  0], and smallest when directed along [0 0 1]. This leads to an anisotropic magnetocaloric effect that is investigated through measurements of the specific heat and magnetization in applied magnetic field.

  15. Emerging good practices for Translatability Assessment (TA) of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) measures.

    PubMed

    Acquadro, Catherine; Patrick, Donald L; Eremenco, Sonya; Martin, Mona L; Kuliś, Dagmara; Correia, Helena; Conway, Katrin

    2017-01-01

    This paper presents emerging Good Practices for Translatability Assessment (TA) of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Measures. The ISOQOL Translation and Cultural Adaptation Special Interest Group (TCA-SIG) undertook the review of several TA approaches, with the collaboration of organizations who are involved in conducting TA, and members of the TCA-SIG. The effort led to agreement by the writing group on Good Practices for 1) the terminology to be used in referring to translatability process, 2) the best definition of TA, 3) the methodology that is recommended at each step of the process, 4) the persons involved in TA, 5) the timing of assessment, 6) the review criteria for TA, and 7) the recommendations to be made at the end of the TA process. With input from the TCA-SIG membership and in consultation with experts in the field, these emerging good practices can guide the future use of TA in the development of PROs.

  16. Correlation between the transport mechanisms in conductive filaments inside Ta2O5-based resistive switching devices and in substoichiometric TaOx thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosário, Carlos M. M.; Thöner, Bo; Schönhals, Alexander; Menzel, Stephan; Wuttig, Matthias; Waser, Rainer; Sobolev, Nikolai A.; Wouters, Dirk J.

    2018-05-01

    Conductive filaments play a key role in redox-based resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices based on the valence change mechanism, where the change of the resistance is ascribed to the modulation of the oxygen content in a local region of these conductive filaments. However, a deep understanding of the filaments' composition and structure is still a matter of debate. We approached the problem by comparing the electronic transport, at temperatures from 300 K down to 2 K, in the filaments and in TaOx films exhibiting a substoichiometric oxygen content. The filaments were created in Ta (15 nm)/Ta2O5 (5 nm)/Pt crossbar ReRAM structures. In the TaOx thin films with various oxygen contents, the in-plane transport was studied. There is a close similarity between the electrical properties of the conductive filaments in the ReRAM devices and of the TaOx films with x ˜ 1, evidencing also no dimensionality difference for the electrical transport. More specifically, for both systems there are two different conduction processes: one in the higher temperature range (from 50 K up to ˜300 K), where the conductivity follows a √{ T } dependence, and one at lower temperatures (<50 K), where the conductivity follows the exp(-1 / √{ T } ) dependence. This suggests a strong similarity between the material composition and structure of the filaments and those of the substoichiometric TaOx films. We also discuss the temperature dependence of the conductivity in the framework of possible transport mechanisms, mainly of those normally observed for granular metals.

  17. K(3)TaF(8) from laboratory X-ray powder data.

    PubMed

    Smrcok, Lubomír; Cerný, Radovan; Boca, Miroslav; Macková, Iveta; Kubíková, Blanka

    2010-02-01

    The crystal structure of tripotassium octafluoridotantalate, K(3)TaF(8), determined from laboratory powder diffraction data by the simulated annealing method and refined by total energy minimization in the solid state, is built from discrete potassium cations, fluoride anions and monocapped trigonal-prismatic [TaF(7)](2-) ions. All six atoms in the asymmetric unit are in special positions of the P6(3)mc space group: the Ta and one F atom in the 2b (3m) sites, the K and two F atoms in the 6c (m) sites, and one F atom in the 2a (3m) site. The structure consists of face-sharing K(6) octahedra with a fluoride anion at the center of each octahedron, forming chains of composition [FK(3)](2+) running along [001] with isolated [TaF(7)](2-) trigonal prisms in between. The structure of the title compound is different from the reported structure of Na(3)TaF(8) and represents a new structure type.

  18. Photo-Induced depopulation of the 180mTa isomer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhike, Megha; Krishichayan, Fnu; Tornow, W.

    2015-10-01

    The 180mTa nucleus is the rarest isotope in the universe, existing only in an isomeric state at 77.2 keV (Jπ = 9-) with half-life of greater than 7.1 ×1015 years. The stellar production of this high-spin isomer has been a challenging astrophysical problem. Cross-section measurements for the depopulation of the 180mTa isomer with monoenergetic photon beams of energies 2.5 and 3.1 MeV have been carried out at the HI γS facility. The activated Ta foils of natural abundance and containing 14.4 mg of 180mTa were γ-ray counted at TUNL's low background facility using a 13% planar HPGe detector. A 8'' ×12'' NaI detector in combination with the standard HI γS scintillator paddle system was employed for absolute photon-flux determination. Preliminary results will be discussed, and measurements at lower energies are planned. This work was supported by the U.S. DOE under Grant NO. DE-FG02-97ER41033.

  19. Magnetic, thermal, and optical properties of single-crystalline CoTa2O6 and FeTa2O6 and their anisotropic magnetocaloric effect.

    PubMed

    Christian, A B; Schye, A T; White, K O; Neumeier, J J

    2018-05-16

    The magnetic, thermal, and optical properties of single-crystalline CoTa 2 O 6 and FeTa 2 O 6 are reported. Optical dichroism was observed in CoTa 2 O 6 . Magnetic susceptibility χ(T) measurements reveal long-range antiferromagnetic order with Néel temperatures [Formula: see text] K and 8.11(5) K, respectively, and anisotropy in χ. The thermal expansion coefficients exhibit significant anisotropy and the influence of the magnetic ions and long-range order. A structural phase transition to orthorhombic occurs below T N for FeTa 2 O 6 . Magnetic field H lowers T N with its affect largest when H is directed along either [1 1 0] or [1 [Formula: see text] 0], and smallest when directed along [0 0 1]. This leads to an anisotropic magnetocaloric effect that is investigated through measurements of the specific heat and magnetization in applied magnetic field.

  20. Wheat Gene TaATG8j Contributes to Stripe Rust Resistance.

    PubMed

    Mamun, Md Abdullah-Al; Tang, Chunlei; Sun, Yingchao; Islam, Md Nazrul; Liu, Peng; Wang, Xiaojie; Kang, Zhensheng

    2018-06-05

    Autophagy-related 8 (ATG8) protein has been reported to be involved in plant's innate immune response, but it is not clear whether such genes play a similar role in cereal crops against obligate biotrophic fungal pathogens. Here, we reported an ATG8 gene from wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), designated TaATG8j . This gene has three copies located in chromosomes 2AS, 2BS, and 2DS. The transcriptions of all three copies were upregulated in plants of the wheat cultivar Suwon 11, inoculated with an avirulent race (CYR23) of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici ( Pst ), the causal fungal pathogen of stripe rust. The transient expression of TaATG8j in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that TaATG8j proteins were distributed throughout the cytoplasm, but mainly in the nucleus and plasma membrane. The overexpression of TaATG8j in N. benthamiana slightly delayed the cell death caused by the mouse apoptotic protein BAX (BCL2-associated X protein). However, the expression of TaATG8j in yeast ( Schizosaccharomyces pombe ) induced cell death. The virus-induced gene silencing of all TaATG8j copies rendered Suwon 11 susceptible to the avirulent Pst race CYR23, accompanied by an increased fungal biomass and a decreased necrotic area per infection site. These results indicate that TaATG8j contributes to wheat resistance against stripe rust fungus by regulating cell death, providing information for the understanding of the mechanisms of wheat resistance to the stripe rust pathogen.

  1. The effect of growth sequence on magnetization damping in Ta/CoFeB/MgO structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Bo; Huang, Dawei; Gao, Ming; Tu, Hongqing; Wang, Kejie; Ruan, Xuezhong; Du, Jun; Cai, Jian-Wang; He, Liang; Wu, Jing; Wang, Xinran; Xu, Yongbing

    2018-03-01

    Magnetization damping is a key parameter to control the critical current and the switching speed in magnetic random access memory, and here we report the effect of the growth sequence on the magnetic dynamics properties of perpendicularly magnetized Ta/CoFeB/MgO structures. Ultrathin CoFeB films have been grown between Ta and MgO but with different stack sequences, i.e. substrate/Ta/CoFeB/MgO/Ta and substrate/Ta/MgO/CoFeB/Ta. The magnetization dynamics induced by femtosecond laser was investigated by using all-optical pump-probe measurements. We found that the Gilbert damping constant was modulated by reversing stack structures, which offers the potential to tune the damping parameter by the growth sequence. The Gilbert damping constant was enhanced from 0.017 for substrate/Ta/CoFeB/MgO/Ta to 0.027 for substrate/Ta/MgO/CoFeB/Ta. We believe that this enhancement originates from the increase of intermixing at the CoFeB/Ta when the Ta atom layer was grown after the CoFeB layer.

  2. Love-type surface acoustic wave on Y-X LiTaO3 with amorphous Ta2O5 thin film

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kakio, Shoji; Fukasawa, Haruka; Hosaka, Keiko

    2015-07-01

    In this study, to obtain a substrate structure with a lower phase velocity, the propagation properties of a Love-type surface acoustic wave (Love SAW) on Y-X LiTaO3 (LT) with an amorphous tantalum pentoxide (a-Ta2O5) thin film were investigated using a simple delay line and a resonator with a wavelength λ of 8 µm. The insertion loss of a simple delay line was decreased markedly by loading with an a-Ta2O5 film owing to a transformation from a leaky SAW (LSAW) to a non-leaky Love SAW. A phase velocity of 3,340 m/s, a coupling factor of 5.8%, and a propagation loss of 0.03 dB/λ were obtained for a normalized thickness h/λ of 0.120. Moreover, the resonance properties of the Love SAW were almost equal or superior to those for an LSAW on Al/36° Y-X LT, except for the fractional bandwidth.

  3. TaMAPK4 Acts as a Positive Regulator in Defense of Wheat Stripe-Rust Infection

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Bing; Song, Na; Zhang, Qiong; Wang, Ning; Kang, Zhensheng

    2018-01-01

    Highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades regulate numerous plant processes, including hormonal responses, stress, and innate immunity. In this research, TaMAPK4 was predicted to be a target of tae-miR164. We verified the binding and suppression of TaMAPK4 by co-expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. Moreover, we found TaMAPK4 was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus using transient expression analyses. TaMAPK4 transcripts increased following salicylic acid (SA) treatment and when host plants were infected with an avirulent race of the stripe-rust pathogen. Silencing of TaMAPK4 by virus-induced gene silencing permitted increased colonization by the avirulent pathogen race. Detailed histological results showed increased Puccinia striiformis (Pst) hyphal length, hyphal branches, and infection uredinial size compared to the non-silenced control. SA accumulation and the transcript levels of TaPR1, TaPR2, and TaPR5 were significantly down-regulated in TaMAPK4 knockdown plants. Overall, these results suggest that TaMAPK4 plays an important role in signaling during the wheat-Pst interaction. These results present new insights into MAPK signaling in wheat defense to rust pathogen. PMID:29527215

  4. Effects of crystal structure and composition on the photocatalytic performance of Ta-O-N functional materials.

    PubMed

    Liu, Qing-Lu; Zhao, Zong-Yan; Yi, Jian-Hong

    2018-05-07

    For photocatalytic applications, the response of a material to the solar spectrum and its redox capabilities are two important factors determined by the band gap and band edge position of the electronic structure of the material. The crystal structure and composition of the photocatalyst are fundamental for determining the above factors. In this article, we examine the functional material Ta-O-N as an example of how to discuss relationships among these factors in detail with the use of theoretical calculations. To explore how the crystal structure and composition influence the photocatalytic performance, two groups of Ta-O-N materials were considered: the first group included ε-Ta 2 O 5 , TaON, and Ta 3 N 5 ; the second group included β-Ta 2 O 5 , δ-Ta 2 O 5 , ε-Ta 2 O 5 , and amorphous-Ta 2 O 5 . Calculation results indicated that the band gap and band edge position are determined by interactions between the atomic core and valence electrons, the overlap of valence electronic states, and the localization of valence states. Ta 3 N 5 and TaON are suitable candidates for efficient photocatalysts owing to their photocatalytic water-splitting ability and good utilization efficiency of solar energy. δ-Ta 2 O 5 has a strong oxidation potential and a band gap suitable for absorbing visible light. Thus, it can be applied to photocatalytic degradation of most pollutants. Although a-Ta 2 O 5 , ε-Ta 2 O 5 , and β-Ta 2 O 5 cannot be directly used as photocatalysts, they can still be applied to modify conventional Ta-O-N photocatalysts, owing to their similar composition and structure. These calculation results will be helpful as reference data for analyzing the photocatalytic performance of more complicated Ta-O-N functional materials. On the basis of these findings, one could design novel Ta-O-N functional materials for specific photocatalytic applications by tuning the composition and crystal structure.

  5. Fragment distribution in 78,86Kr+181Ta reactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Dong-Hong; Zhang, Feng-Shou

    2018-05-01

    Within the framework of the isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model, along with the GEMINI model, the 86Kr+181Ta reaction at 80, 120 and 160 MeV/nucleon and the 78Kr+181Ta reaction at 160 MeV/nucleon are studied, and the production cross sections of the generated fragments are calculated. More inter-mediate and large mass fragments can be produced in the reactions with a large range of impact parameter. The production cross sections of nuclei such as the isotopes of Si and P generally decrease with increasing incident energy. Isotopes near the neutron drip line are produced more in the neutron-rich system 86Kr+181Ta. Supported by Youth Research Foundation of Shanxi Datong University (2016Q10)

  6. Tandem Core–Shell Si–Ta 3N 5 Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

    DOE PAGES

    Narkeviciute, Ieva; Chakthranont, Pongkarn; Mackus, Adriaan J. M.; ...

    2016-11-22

    Here, nanostructured core–shell Si–Ta 3N 5 photoanodes were designed and synthesized to overcome charge transport limitations of Ta 3N 5 for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The core–shell devices were fabricated by atomic layer deposition of amorphous Ta 2O 5 onto nanostructured Si and subsequent nitridation to crystalline Ta 3N 5. Nanostructuring with a thin shell of Ta 3N 5 results in a 10-fold improvement in photocurrent compared to a planar device of the same thickness. In examining thickness dependence of the Ta 3N 5 shell from 10 to 70 nm, superior photocurrent and absorbed-photon-to-current efficiencies are obtained from the thinner Tamore » 3N 5 shells, indicating minority carrier diffusion lengths on the order of tens of nanometers. The fabrication of a heterostructure based on a semiconducting, n-type Si core produced a tandem photoanode with a photocurrent onset shifted to lower potentials by 200 mV. CoTiO x and NiO x water oxidation cocatalysts were deposited onto the Si–Ta 3N 5 to yield active photoanodes that with NiO x retained 50–60% of their maximum photocurrent after 24 h chronoamperometry experiments and are thus among the most stable Ta 3N 5 photoanodes reported to date.« less

  7. Preparation of reference material for UGT1A1 (TA)n polymorphism genotyping.

    PubMed

    Mlakar, Vid; Mlakar, Simona Jurković; Marc, Janja; Ostanek, Barbara

    2014-08-05

    Gilbert's syndrome is one of the most common metabolic syndromes in the human population characterised by mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia resulting from reduced activity of the bilirubin conjugating enzyme UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1). Although Gilbert's syndrome is usually quite benign UGT1A1(TA)n genotyping is important in exclusion of more serious causes of hyperbilirubinemia and since it has significant implications for personalised medicine. The aim of our study was to develop plasmid based reference materials which could be used for UGT1A1(TA)n genotyping. Plasmids were generated using recombinant DNA technology and their number of repeats as well as the entire sequence verified by Sanger sequencing. Their suitability as reference materials was tested using sizing by capillary electrophoresis and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography. Plasmids containing all four different alleles (TA)5, (TA)6, (TA)7 and (TA)8 that are present in the human population as well as a plasmid with (TA)4 repeats were successfully generated. Prepared plasmid reference materials allow the creation of all possible UGT1A1(TA)n polymorphism genotypes and can serve as an efficient substitute for the human genomic DNA reference material in routine genotyping and in the development of new genotyping tests. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Suboxide/subnitride formation on Ta masks during magnetic material etching by reactive plasmas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Hu; Muraki, Yu; Karahashi, Kazuhiro

    2015-07-15

    Etching characteristics of tantalum (Ta) masks used in magnetoresistive random-access memory etching processes by carbon monoxide and ammonium (CO/NH{sub 3}) or methanol (CH{sub 3}OH) plasmas have been examined by mass-selected ion beam experiments with in-situ surface analyses. It has been suggested in earlier studies that etching of magnetic materials, i.e., Fe, Ni, Co, and their alloys, by such plasmas is mostly due to physical sputtering and etch selectivity of the process arises from etch resistance (i.e., low-sputtering yield) of the hard mask materials such as Ta. In this study, it is shown that, during Ta etching by energetic CO{sup +}more » or N{sup +} ions, suboxides or subnitrides are formed on the Ta surface, which reduces the apparent sputtering yield of Ta. It is also shown that the sputtering yield of Ta by energetic CO{sup +} or N{sup +} ions has a strong dependence on the angle of ion incidence, which suggests a correlation between the sputtering yield and the oxidation states of Ta in the suboxide or subnitride; the higher the oxidation state of Ta, the lower is the sputtering yield. These data account for the observed etch selectivity by CO/NH{sub 3} and CH{sub 3}OH plasmas.« less

  9. TaGW2, a Good Reflection of Wheat Polyploidization and Evolution

    PubMed Central

    Qin, Lin; Zhao, Junjie; Li, Tian; Hou, Jian; Zhang, Xueyong; Hao, Chenyang

    2017-01-01

    Hexaploid wheat consists of three subgenomes, namely, A, B, and D. These well-characterized ancestral genomes also exist at the diploid and tetraploid levels, thereby rendering wheat as a good model species for studying polyploidization. Here, we performed intra- and inter-species comparative analyses of wheat and its relatives to dissect polymorphism and differentiation of the TaGW2 genes. Our results showed that genetic diversity of TaGW2 decreased with progression from the diploids to tetraploids and hexaploids. The strongest selection occurred in the promoter regions of TaGW2-6A and TaGW2-6B. Phylogenetic trees clearly indicated that Triticum urartu and Ae. speltoides were the donors of the A and B genomes in tetraploid and hexaploid wheats. Haplotypes detected among hexaploid genotypes traced back to the tetraploid level. Fst and π values revealed that the strongest selection on TaGW2 occurred at the tetraploid level rather than in hexaploid wheat. This infers that grain size enlargement, especially increased kernel width, mainly occurred in tetraploid genotypes. In addition, relative expression levels of TaGW2s significantly declined from the diploid level to tetraploids and hexaploids, further indicating that these genes negatively regulate kernel size. Our results also revealed that the polyploidization events possibly caused much stronger differentiation than domestication and breeding. PMID:28326096

  10. TaGW2, a Good Reflection of Wheat Polyploidization and Evolution.

    PubMed

    Qin, Lin; Zhao, Junjie; Li, Tian; Hou, Jian; Zhang, Xueyong; Hao, Chenyang

    2017-01-01

    Hexaploid wheat consists of three subgenomes, namely, A, B, and D. These well-characterized ancestral genomes also exist at the diploid and tetraploid levels, thereby rendering wheat as a good model species for studying polyploidization. Here, we performed intra- and inter-species comparative analyses of wheat and its relatives to dissect polymorphism and differentiation of the TaGW2 genes. Our results showed that genetic diversity of TaGW2 decreased with progression from the diploids to tetraploids and hexaploids. The strongest selection occurred in the promoter regions of TaGW2-6A and TaGW2-6B . Phylogenetic trees clearly indicated that Triticum urartu and Ae. speltoides were the donors of the A and B genomes in tetraploid and hexaploid wheats. Haplotypes detected among hexaploid genotypes traced back to the tetraploid level. Fst and π values revealed that the strongest selection on TaGW2 occurred at the tetraploid level rather than in hexaploid wheat. This infers that grain size enlargement, especially increased kernel width, mainly occurred in tetraploid genotypes. In addition, relative expression levels of TaGW2s significantly declined from the diploid level to tetraploids and hexaploids, further indicating that these genes negatively regulate kernel size. Our results also revealed that the polyploidization events possibly caused much stronger differentiation than domestication and breeding.

  11. Characterization and Modeling of Nonfilamentary Ta/TaOx/TiO2/Ti Analog Synaptic Device

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Yu-Fen; Lin, Yen-Chuan; Wang, I-Ting; Lin, Tzu-Ping; Hou, Tuo-Hung

    2015-01-01

    A two-terminal analog synaptic device that precisely emulates biological synaptic features is expected to be a critical component for future hardware-based neuromorphic computing. Typical synaptic devices based on filamentary resistive switching face severe limitations on the implementation of concurrent inhibitory and excitatory synapses with low conductance and state fluctuation. For overcoming these limitations, we propose a Ta/TaOx/TiO2/Ti device with superior analog synaptic features. A physical simulation based on the homogeneous (nonfilamentary) barrier modulation induced by oxygen ion migration accurately reproduces various DC and AC evolutions of synaptic states, including the spike-timing-dependent plasticity and paired-pulse facilitation. Furthermore, a physics-based compact model for facilitating circuit-level design is proposed on the basis of the general definition of memristor devices. This comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the promising electronic synapse can facilitate realizing large-scale neuromorphic systems. PMID:25955658

  12. Structure of screw dislocation core in Ta at high pressure

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, Shaofeng, E-mail: sfwang@cqu.edu.cn; Jiang, Na; Wang, Rui

    2014-03-07

    The core structure and Peierls stress of the 1/2 〈111〉(110) screw dislocation in Ta have been investigated theoretically using the modified Peierls–Nabarro theory that takes into account the discreteness effect of crystal. The lattice constants, the elastic properties, and the generalized-stacking-fault energy(γ-surface) under the different pressures have been calculated from the electron density functional theory. The core structure of dislocation is determined by the modified Peierls equation, and the Peierls stress is evaluated from the dislocation energy that varies periodically as dislocation moves. The results show the core width and Peierls stress in Ta are weakly dependent of the pressuremore » up to 100 GPa when the length and stress are measured separately by the Burgers vector b and shear modulus μ. This indicates that core structure is approximately scaling invariant for the screw dislocation in Ta. The scaled plasticity of Ta changes little in high pressure environment.« less

  13. Superconducting order from disorder in 2H-TaSe2-xSx

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Lijun; Deng, Xiaoyu; Wang, Zhen; Liu, Yu; Abeykoon, Milinda; Dooryhee, Eric; Tomic, Aleksandra; Huang, Yanan; Warren, John B.; Bozin, Emil S.; Billinge, Simon J. L.; Sun, Yuping; Zhu, Yimei; Kotliar, Gabriel; Petrovic, Cedomir

    2017-12-01

    We report on the emergence of robust superconducting order in single crystal alloys of TaSe2-xSx (0 ≤ × ≤ 2). The critical temperature of the alloy is surprisingly higher than that of the two end compounds TaSe2 and TaS2. The evolution of superconducting critical temperature Tc(x) correlates with the full width at half maximum of the Bragg peaks and with the linear term of the high-temperature resistivity. The conductivity of the crystals near the middle of the alloy series is higher or similar than that of either one of the end members 2H-TaSe2 and/or 2H-TaS2. It is known that in these materials superconductivity is in close competition with charge density wave order. We interpret our experimental findings in a picture where disorder tilts this balance in favor of superconductivity by destroying the charge density wave order.

  14. SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY: TaN wet etch for application in dual-metal-gate integration technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yongliang, Li; Qiuxia, Xu

    2009-12-01

    Wet-etch etchants and the TaN film method for dual-metal-gate integration are investigated. Both HF/HN O3/H2O and NH4OH/H2O2 solutions can etch TaN effectively, but poor selectivity to the gate dielectric for the HF/HNO3/H2O solution due to HF being included in HF/HNO3/H2O, and the fact that TaN is difficult to etch in the NH4OH/H2O2 solution at the first stage due to the thin TaOxNy layer on the TaN surface, mean that they are difficult to individually apply to dual-metal-gate integration. A two-step wet etching strategy using the HF/HNO3/H2O solution first and the NH4OH/H2O2 solution later can fully remove thin TaN film with a photo-resist mask and has high selectivity to the HfSiON dielectric film underneath. High-k dielectric film surfaces are smooth after wet etching of the TaN metal gate and MOSCAPs show well-behaved C-V and Jg-Vg characteristics, which all prove that the wet etching of TaN has little impact on electrical performance and can be applied to dual-metal-gate integration technology for removing the first TaN metal gate in the PMOS region.

  15. Interface structure in Cu/Ta2O5/Pt resistance switch: a first-principles study.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Bo; Watanabe, Satoshi

    2015-01-14

    The interface structures of a Cu/Ta2O5/Pt resistance switch under various oxidation conditions have been examined from first-principles. The O-rich Cu/Ta2O5 interface is found to be stable within a wide range of O chemical potentials. In this interface structure, a considerable number of interface Cu atoms tend to migrate to the amorphous Ta2O5 (a-Ta2O5) layer, which causes the formation of the Cu2O layer. The interface Cu atoms become more ionized with an increase in the interface O concentration and/or temperature. These ionized Cu(+) ions could function as one of the main sources for the formation of conduction filaments in the Cu/a-Ta2O5/Pt resistance switch. In contrast, the ionization of the interface Cu atoms is not observed in the Cu/crystal-Ta2O5 interface primarily due to the much lower Cu ionic conductivity in crystal-Ta2O5 than that in amorphous state. In addition, the Pt electrode could not be ionized, irrespective of the interface O concentration and temperature. The formation of interface O vacancies in Pt/Ta2O5 is always energetically more stable than that in Cu/Ta2O5, which may be partly responsible for the cone shape of conduction filament formed in the Cu/a-Ta2O5/Pt resistance switch, where the base of the cone lies on the Pt/Ta2O5 interface.

  16. Chromatin modification contributes to the expression divergence of three TaGS2 homoeologs in hexaploid wheat

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Wei; Fan, Xiaoli; Gao, Yingjie; Liu, Lei; Sun, Lijing; Su, Qiannan; Han, Jie; Zhang, Na; Cui, Fa; Ji, Jun; Tong, Yiping; Li, Junming

    2017-01-01

    Plastic glutamine synthetase (GS2) is responsible for ammonium assimilation. The reason that TaGS2 homoeologs in hexaploid wheat experience different selection pressures in the breeding process remains unclear. TaGS2 were minimally expressed in roots but predominantly expressed in leaves, and TaGS2-B had higher expression than TaGS2-A and TaGS2-D. ChIP assays revealed that the activation of TaGS2-B expression in leaves was correlated with increased H3K4 trimethylation. The transcriptional silencing of TaGS2 in roots was correlated with greater cytosine methylation and less H3K4 trimethylation. Micrococcal nuclease and DNase I accessibility experiments indicated that the promoter region was more resistant to digestion in roots than leaves, which indicated that the closed nucleosome conformation of the promoter region was important to the transcription initiation for the spatial-temporal expression of TaGS2. In contrast, the transcribed regions possess different nuclease accessibilities of three TaGS2 homoeologs in the same tissue, suggesting that nucleosome conformation of the transcribed region was part of the fine adjustment of TaGS2 homoeologs. This study provides evidence that histone modification, DNA methylation and nuclease accessibility coordinated the control of the transcription of TaGS2 homoeologs. Our results provided important evidence that TaGS2-B experienced the strongest selection pressures during the breeding process. PMID:28300215

  17. Interfacial Microstructure and Mechanical Strength of 93W/Ta Diffusion-Bonded Joints with Ni Interlayer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luo, Guoqiang; Zhang, Jian; Li, Meijuan; Wei, Qinqin; Shen, Qiang; Zhang, Lianmeng

    2013-02-01

    93W alloy and Ta metal were successfully diffusion bonded using a Ni interlayer. Ni4W was found at the W-Ni interface, and Ni3Ta and Ni2Ta were formed at the Ni-Ta interface. The shear strength of the joints increases with increasing holding time, reaching a value of 202 MPa for a joint prepared using a 90-minute holding time at 1103 K (830 °C) and 20 MPa. The fracture of this joint occurred within the Ni/Ta interface.

  18. Genotoxicity of quinocetone, cyadox and olaquindox in vitro and in vivo.

    PubMed

    Ihsan, Awais; Wang, Xu; Zhang, Wei; Tu, Honggang; Wang, Yulian; Huang, Lingli; Iqbal, Zahid; Cheng, Guyue; Pan, Yuanhu; Liu, Zhenli; Tan, Ziqiang; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Yuan, Zonghui

    2013-09-01

    Quinocetone (QCT) and Cyadox (CYA) are important derivative of heterocyclic N-oxide quinoxaline (QdNO), used actively as antimicrobial feed additives in China. Here, we tested and compared the genotoxic potential of QCT and CYA with olaquindox (OLA) in Ames test, HGPRT gene mutation (HGM) test in V79 cells, unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay in human peripheral lymphocytes, chromosome aberration (CA) test, and micronucleus (MN) test in mice bone marrow. OLA was found genotoxic in all 5 assays. In Ames test, QCT produced His(+) mutants at 6.9 μg/plate in Salmonella typhimurium TA 97, at 18.2 μg/plate in TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537, and at 50 μg/plate in TA 98. CYA produced His(+) mutants at 18.2 μg/plate in TA 97, TA 1535, and at 50 μg/plate in TA 98, TA 100 and TA 1537. QCT was found positive in HGM and UDS assay at concentrations ≥10 μg/ml while negative results were reported in CA test and MN test. Collectively, we found that OLA was more genotoxic than QCT and CYA. Genotoxicity of QCT was found at higher concentration levels in Ames test, HGM and UDS assays while CYA showed weak mutagenic potential to bacterial cells in Ames test. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Oxidation of TaSi2-Containing ZrB2-SiC Ultra-High Temperature Materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Opila, Elizabeth J.; Smith, Jim; Levine, Stanley R.; Lorincz, Jonathan; Reigel, Marissa

    2010-01-01

    Hot pressed coupons of composition ZrB2-20 v% SiC-5 v% TaSi2 and ZrB2-20 v% SiC-20 v% TaSi2 were oxidized in stagnant air at temperatures of 1627 and 1927C for one, five and ten 10-minute cycles. The oxidation reactions were characterized by weight change kinetics, x-ray diffraction, and SEM/EDS. Detailed WDS/microprobe quantitative analyses of the oxidation products were conducted for the ZrB2-20 v% SiC-20 v% TaSi2 sample oxidized for five 10-minute cycles at 1927C. Oxidation kinetics and product formation were compared to ZrB2-20 v% SiC with no TaSi2 additions. It was found that the 20 v% TaSi2 composition exhibited improved oxidation resistance relative to the material with no TaSi2 additions at 1627C. However, for exposures at 1927C less oxidation resistance and extensive liquid phase formation were observed compared to the material with no TaSi2 additions. Attempts to limit the liquid phase formation by reducing the TaSi2 content to 5 v% were unsuccessful. In addition, the enhanced oxidation resistance at 1627C due to 20 v% TaSi2 additions was not achieved at the 5 v% addition level. The observed oxidation product evolution is discussed in terms of thermodynamics and phase equilibria for the TaSi2-containing ZrB2-SiC material system. TaSi2-additions to ZrB2-SiC at any level are not recommended for ultra-high temperature (>1900C) applications due to excessive liquid phase formation.

  20. Molecular Evolution of the Rice Blast Resistance Gene Pi-ta in Invasive Weedy Rice in the USA

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Seonghee; Jia, Yulin; Jia, Melissa; Gealy, David R.; Olsen, Kenneth M.; Caicedo, Ana L.

    2011-01-01

    The Pi-ta gene in rice has been effectively used to control rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae worldwide. Despite a number of studies that reported the Pi-ta gene in domesticated rice and wild species, little is known about how the Pi-ta gene has evolved in US weedy rice, a major weed of rice. To investigate the genome organization of the Pi-ta gene in weedy rice and its relationship to gene flow between cultivated and weedy rice in the US, we analyzed nucleotide sequence variation at the Pi-ta gene and its surrounding 2 Mb region in 156 weedy, domesticated and wild rice relatives. We found that the region at and around the Pi-ta gene shows very low genetic diversity in US weedy rice. The patterns of molecular diversity in weeds are more similar to cultivated rice (indica and aus), which have never been cultivated in the US, rather than the wild rice species, Oryza rufipogon. In addition, the resistant Pi-ta allele (Pi-ta) found in the majority of US weedy rice belongs to the weedy group strawhull awnless (SH), suggesting a single source of origin for Pi-ta. Weeds with Pi-ta were resistant to two M. oryzae races, IC17 and IB49, except for three accessions, suggesting that component(s) required for the Pi-ta mediated resistance may be missing in these accessions. Signatures of flanking sequences of the Pi-ta gene and SSR markers on chromosome 12 suggest that the susceptible pi-ta allele (pi-ta), not Pi-ta, has been introgressed from cultivated to weedy rice by out-crossing. PMID:22043312

  1. TaN resistor process development and integration.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Romero, Kathleen; Martinez, Marino John; Clevenger, Jascinda

    This paper describes the development and implementation of an integrated resistor process based on reactively sputtered tantalum nitride. Image reversal lithography was shown to be a superior method for liftoff patterning of these films. The results of a response surface DOE for the sputter deposition of the films are discussed. Several approaches to stabilization baking were examined and the advantages of the hot plate method are shown. In support of a new capability to produce special-purpose HBT-based Small-Scale Integrated Circuits (SSICs), we developed our existing TaN resistor process, designed for research prototyping, into one with greater maturity and robustness. Includedmore » in this work was the migration of our TaN deposition process from a research-oriented tool to a tool more suitable for production. Also included was implementation and optimization of a liftoff process for the sputtered TaN to avoid the complicating effects of subtractive etching over potentially sensitive surfaces. Finally, the method and conditions for stabilization baking of the resistors was experimentally determined to complete the full implementation of the resistor module. Much of the work to be described involves the migration between sputter deposition tools - from a Kurt J. Lesker CMS-18 to a Denton Discovery 550. Though they use nominally the same deposition technique (reactive sputtering of Ta with N{sup +} in a RF-excited Ar plasma), they differ substantially in their design and produce clearly different results in terms of resistivity, conformity of the film and the difference between as-deposited and stabilized films. We will describe the design of and results from the design of experiments (DOE)-based method of process optimization on the new tool and compare this to what had been used on the old tool.« less

  2. Synthesis of Ti-Ta alloys with dual structure by incomplete diffusion between elemental powders.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yong; Li, Kaiyang; Wu, Hong; Song, Min; Wang, Wen; Li, Nianfeng; Tang, Huiping

    2015-11-01

    In this work, powder metallurgical (PM) Ti-Ta alloys were sintered using blended elemental powders. A dual structure, consisting of Ti-rich and Ta-rich zones, was formed due to the insufficient diffusion between Ti and Ta powders. The microstructure, mechanical properties and in vitro biological properties of the alloys were studied. Results indicated that the alloys have inhomogenous microstructures and compositions, but the grain structures were continuous from the Ti-rich zone to the Ta-rich zone. The Ta-rich zone exhibited a much finer grain size than the Ti-rich zone. The alloys had a high relative density in the range of 95-98%, with the porosity increasing with the content of Ta due to the increased difficulty in sintering and the formation of Kirkendall pores. The alloys had a good combination of low elastic modulus and high tensile strength. The strength of alloys was almost doubled compared to that of the ingot metallurgy alloys with the same compositions. The low elastic modulus was due to the residual pores and the alloying effect of Ta, while the high tensile strength resulted from the strengthening effects of solid solution, fine grain size and α phase. The alloys had a high biocompatibility due to the addition of Ta, and were suitable for the attachment of cells due to the surface porosity. It was also indicated that PM Ti-(20-30)Ta alloys are promising for biomedical applications after the evaluations of both the mechanical and the biological properties. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. From Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N to LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2}: Decreasing the optical band gap of a photocatalyst

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Anke, B.; Bredow, T.; Pilarski, M.

    Yellow LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} was successfully synthesized as phase-pure material crystallizing isostructurally to previously reported Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N and mixed-valence Ba{sub 3}Ta{sup V}{sub 4}Ta{sup IV}O{sub 15}. The electronic structure of LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} was studied theoretically with the range-separated hybrid method HSE06. The most stable structure was obtained when lanthanum was placed on 2a and nitrogen on 4h sites confirming Pauling's second rule. By incorporating nitrogen, the measured band gap decreases from ∼3.8 eV for the oxide via 2.74 eV for Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N to 2.63 eV for the new oxide nitride, giving risemore » to an absorption band well in the visible-light region. Calculated fundamental band gaps confirm the experimental trend. The atom-projected density of states has large contributions from N2p orbitals close to the valence band edge. These are responsible for the observed band gap reduction. Photocatalytic hydrogen formation was investigated and compared with that of Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N revealing significantly higher activity for LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} under UV-light. - Graphical abstract: X-ray powder diffraction pattern of LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} with the results of the Rietveld refinements. Inset: Unit cell of LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2} and polyhedral representation of the crystal structure. - Highlights: • Synthesis of a new oxide nitride LaBa{sub 2}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 13}N{sub 2}. • Refinement of the crystal structure. • Quantum chemical calculations provided band gap close to the measured value. • New phase shows a higher photocatalytic H{sub 2} evolution rate compared to prior tested Ba{sub 3}Ta{sub 5}O{sub 14}N.« less

  4. Wheat Transcription Factor TaAREB3 Participates in Drought and Freezing Tolerances in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jingyi; Li, Qian; Mao, Xinguo; Li, Ang; Jing, Ruilian

    2016-01-01

    AREB (ABA response element binding) proteins in plants play direct regulatory roles in response to multiple stresses, but their functions in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are not clear. In the present study, TaAREB3, a new member of the AREB transcription factor family, was isolated from wheat. Sequence analysis showed that the TaAREB3 protein is composed of three parts, a conserved N-terminal, a variable M region, and a conserved C-terminal with a bZIP domain. It belongs to the group A subfamily of bZIP transcription factors. TaAREB3 was constitutively expressed in stems, leaves, florets, anthers, pistils, seeds, and most highly, in roots. TaAREB3 gene expression was induced with abscisic acid (ABA) and low temperature stress, and its protein was localized in the nucleus when transiently expressed in tobacco epidermal cells and stably expressed in transgenic Arabidopsis. TaAREB3 protein has transcriptional activation activity, and can bind to the ABRE cis-element in vitro. Overexpression of TaAREB3 in Arabidopsis not only enhanced ABA sensitivity, but also strengthened drought and freezing tolerances. TaAREB3 also activated RD29A, RD29B, COR15A, and COR47 by binding to their promoter regions in transgenic Arabidopsis. These results demonstrated that TaAREB3 plays an important role in drought and freezing tolerances in Arabidopsis.

  5. Wheat Transcription Factor TaAREB3 Participates in Drought and Freezing Tolerances in Arabidopsis

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Jingyi; Li, Qian; Mao, Xinguo; Li, Ang; Jing, Ruilian

    2016-01-01

    AREB (ABA response element binding) proteins in plants play direct regulatory roles in response to multiple stresses, but their functions in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are not clear. In the present study, TaAREB3, a new member of the AREB transcription factor family, was isolated from wheat. Sequence analysis showed that the TaAREB3 protein is composed of three parts, a conserved N-terminal, a variable M region, and a conserved C-terminal with a bZIP domain. It belongs to the group A subfamily of bZIP transcription factors. TaAREB3 was constitutively expressed in stems, leaves, florets, anthers, pistils, seeds, and most highly, in roots. TaAREB3 gene expression was induced with abscisic acid (ABA) and low temperature stress, and its protein was localized in the nucleus when transiently expressed in tobacco epidermal cells and stably expressed in transgenic Arabidopsis. TaAREB3 protein has transcriptional activation activity, and can bind to the ABRE cis-element in vitro. Overexpression of TaAREB3 in Arabidopsis not only enhanced ABA sensitivity, but also strengthened drought and freezing tolerances. TaAREB3 also activated RD29A, RD29B, COR15A, and COR47 by binding to their promoter regions in transgenic Arabidopsis. These results demonstrated that TaAREB3 plays an important role in drought and freezing tolerances in Arabidopsis. PMID:26884722

  6. Ectopic expression of Triticum aestivum SERK genes (TaSERKs) control plant growth and development in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Singh, Akanksha; Khurana, Paramjit

    2017-09-28

    Somatic embryogenesis receptor kinases (SERKs) belong to a small gene family of receptor-like kinases involved in signal transduction. A total of 54 genes were shortlisted from the wheat genome survey sequence of which 5 were classified as SERKs and 49 were identified as SERK-like (SERLs). Tissue- specific expression of TaSERKs at major developmental stages of wheat corroborates their indispensable role during somatic and zygotic embryogenesis. TaSERK transcripts show inherent differences in their hormonal sensitivities, i.e. TaSERK2 and TaSERK3 elicits auxin- specific responses while TaSERK1, 4 and 5 were more specific towards BR-mediated regulation. The ectopic expression of TaSERK1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Arabidopsis led to enhanced plant height, larger silique size and increased seed yield. Zygotic embryogenesis specific genes showed a differential pattern in TaSERK Arabidopsis transgenics specifically in the silique tissues. Elongated hypocotyls and enhanced root growth were observed in the overexpression transgenic lines of all five TaSERKs. The inhibitory action of auxin and brassinosteroid in all the TaSERK transgenic lines indicates their role in regulating root development. The results obtained imply redundant functions of TaSERKs in maintaining plant growth and development.

  7. The ERF transcription factor TaERF3 promotes tolerance to salt and drought stresses in wheat.

    PubMed

    Rong, Wei; Qi, Lin; Wang, Aiyun; Ye, Xingguo; Du, Lipu; Liang, Hongxia; Xin, Zhiyong; Zhang, Zengyan

    2014-05-01

    Salinity and drought are major limiting factors of wheat (Triticum aestivum) productivity worldwide. Here, we report the function of a wheat ERF transcription factor TaERF3 in salt and drought responses and the underlying mechanism of TaERF3 function. Upon treatment with 250 mM NaCl or 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG), transcript levels of TaERF3 were rapidly induced in wheat. Using wheat cultivar Yangmai 12 as the transformation recipient, four TaERF3-overexpressing transgenic lines were generated and functionally characterized. The seedlings of the TaERF3-overexpressing transgenic lines exhibited significantly enhanced tolerance to both salt and drought stresses as compared to untransformed wheat. In the leaves of TaERF3-overexpressing lines, accumulation levels of both proline and chlorophyll were significantly increased, whereas H₂O₂ content and stomatal conductance were significantly reduced. Conversely, TaERF3-silencing wheat plants that were generated through virus-induced gene silencing method displayed more sensitivity to salt and drought stresses compared with the control plants. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed that transcript levels of ten stress-related genes were increased in TaERF3-overexpressing lines, but compromised in TaERF3-silencing wheat plants. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the TaERF3 protein could interact with the GCC-box cis-element present in the promoters of seven TaERF3-activated stress-related genes. These results indicate that TaERF3 positively regulates wheat adaptation responses to salt and drought stresses through the activation of stress-related genes and that TaERF3 is an attractive engineering target in applied efforts to improve abiotic stress tolerances in wheat and other cereals. © 2014 Society for Experimental Biology, Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  8. Improved method for mutagenicity testing of gaseous compounds by using a gas sampling bag.

    PubMed

    Araki, A; Noguchi, T; Kato, F; Matsushima, T

    1994-05-01

    A simple and safety gas exposure method was developed using a gas sampling bag as an exposure vessel and a preparation vessel of diluted gas. The gas exposure conditions such as amount of S9 in the plate, volume of gas for the plate, amount of top agar, exposure period and exposure temperature were examined by mutagenicity testing of 1,3-butadiene using the gas sampling bag. Mutagenicity tests of 14 compounds and 1,3-butadiene on S. typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537, and E. coli WP2 uvrA were also examined by the developed gas exposure method. 1,3-Butadiene, propyne (methyl acetylene), monochlorodifluoromethane, ethylchloride, diborane and silane were mutagenic. 1-Butene, 2-butene, 2-methylpropene, methyl vinyl ether, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethane and phosphine were not mutagenic on S. typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537, and E. coli WP2 uvrA with or without metabolic activation. These results were compatible with a previous report, and this developed method has the advantage that it can be tested easily and safely for combustible and self-combustible substances such as 1,3-butadiene and silane.

  9. Seismic assessment of Technical Area V (TA-V).

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Medrano, Carlos S.

    The Technical Area V (TA-V) Seismic Assessment Report was commissioned as part of Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Self Assessment Requirement per DOE O 414.1, Quality Assurance, for seismic impact on existing facilities at Technical Area-V (TA-V). SNL TA-V facilities are located on an existing Uniform Building Code (UBC) Seismic Zone IIB Site within the physical boundary of the Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB). The document delineates a summary of the existing facilities with their safety-significant structure, system and components, identifies DOE Guidance, conceptual framework, past assessments and the present Geological and Seismic conditions. Building upon the past information and themore » evolution of the new seismic design criteria, the document discusses the potential impact of the new standards and provides recommendations based upon the current International Building Code (IBC) per DOE O 420.1B, Facility Safety and DOE G 420.1-2, Guide for the Mitigation of Natural Phenomena Hazards for DOE Nuclear Facilities and Non-Nuclear Facilities.« less

  10. Interleukin-8 gene polymorphism -251T>A contributes to Alzheimer's disease susceptibility.

    PubMed

    Qin, Biyong; Li, Li; Wang, Shanshan; Wu, Jun; Huang, Yulan; Zhou, Ping; Bai, Jiao; Zheng, Yan

    2016-09-01

    Published association studies have investigated the correlation between interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene polymorphism -251T>A and susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the results are conflicting. Thus, we conducted the meta-analysis to reassess the effect of IL-8 gene -251T>A variant on the risk of AD. Relevant studies regarding this association were electronically searched and identified from the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Biomedicine Database. The odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled to calculate the strength of this association. Nine studies with a total of 1406 cases and 2152 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association of IL-8 gene -251T>A polymorphism with increased risk of AD was observed in several genetic models (allele, A vs T: OR=1.32, 95%CI=1.16-1.50; homozygous, AA vs TT: OR=1.70, 95%CI=1.21-2.21; heterozygous, TA vs TT: OR=1.37, 95%CI=1.12-1.69; recessive, AA vs TA+TT: OR=1.40, 95%CI=1.12-1.75). Similarly, such association was also revealed both in Asian and European populations in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity. The current study suggested that IL-8 gene polymorphism -251T>A may contribute to the susceptibility to AD.

  11. Structural Stability of Diffusion Barriers in Cu/Ru/MgO/Ta/Si

    PubMed Central

    Hsieh, Shu-Huei; Chen, Wen Jauh; Chien, Chu-Mo

    2015-01-01

    Various structures of Cu (50 nm)/Ru (2 nm)/MgO (0.5–3 nm)/Ta (2 nm)/Si were prepared by sputtering and electroplating techniques, in which the ultra-thin trilayer of Ru (2 nm)/MgO (0.5–3 nm)/Ta (2 nm) is used as the diffusion barrier against the interdiffusion between Cu film and Si substrate. The various structures of Cu/Ru/MgO/Ta/Si were characterized by four-point probes for their sheet resistances, by X-ray diffractometers for their crystal structures, by scanning electron microscopes for their surface morphologies, and by transmission electron microscopes for their cross-section and high resolution views. The results showed that the ultra-thin tri-layer of Ru (2 nm)/MgO (0.5–3 nm)/Ta (2 nm) is an effective diffusion barrier against the interdiffusion between Cu film and Si substrate. The MgO, and Ta layers as deposited are amorphous. The mechanism for the failure of the diffusion barrier is that the Ru layer first became discontinuous at a high temperature and the Ta layer sequentially become discontinuous at a higher temperature, the Cu atoms then diffuse through the MgO layer and to the substrate at the discontinuities, and the Cu3Si phases finally form. The maximum temperature at which the structures of Cu (50 nm)/Ru (2 nm)/MgO (0.5–3 nm)/Ta (2 nm)/Si are annealed and still have low sheet resistance is from 550 to 750 °C for the annealing time of 5 min and from 500 to 700 °C for the annealing time of 30 min. PMID:28347099

  12. The Efficiency of Delone Coverings of the Canonical Tilings T}(*(A_4)) -> T^*(A4) and T^*(D6)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Papadopolos, Zorka; Kasner, Gerald

    This chapter is devoted to the coverings of the two quasiperiodic canonical tilings T}(*(A_4)) -> T^*(A4) and T^*(D6) T^*(2F), obtained by projection from the root lattices A4 and D6, respectively. In the first major part of this chapter, in Sect. 5.2, we shall introduce a Delone covering T}(*(A_4)}) -> C^sT^*(A4) of the 2-dimensional decagonal tiling T}(*(A_4)) -> T^*(A4). In the second major part of this chapter, Sect. 5.3, we summarize the results related to the Delone covering of the icosahedral tiling T^*(D6), CT^*(D6) and determine the zero-, single-, and double- deckings and the resulting thickness of the covering. In the conclusions section, we give some suggestions as to how the definition of the Delone covering might be changed in order to reach some real (full) covering of the icosahedral tiling T^*(D6). In Section 5.2 the definition of the Delone covering is also changed in order to avoid an unnecessary large thickness of the covering.

  13. Oxygen related recombination defects in Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} water splitting photoanode

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fu, Gao; Yu, Tao, E-mail: yscfei@nju.edu.cn, E-mail: yutao@nju.edu.cn; Zou, Zhigang

    2015-10-26

    A key route to improving the performance of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} photoelectrochemical film devices in solar driving water splitting to hydrogen is to understand the nature of the serious recombination of photo-generated carriers. Here, by using the temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, we confirmed that for the Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} films prepared by nitriding Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} precursor, one PL peak at 561 nm originates from deep-level defects recombination of the oxygen-enriched Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} phases, and another one at 580 nm can be assigned to band recombination of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} itself. Both of the two bulk recombination processes may decrease themore » photoelectrochemical performance of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5}. It was difficult to remove the oxygen-enriched impurities in Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} films by increasing the nitriding temperatures due to their high thermodynamically stability. In addition, a broadening PL peak between 600 and 850 nm resulting from oxygen related surface defects was observed by the low-temperature PL measurement, which may induce the surface recombination of photo-generated carriers and can be removed by increasing the nitridation temperature. Our results provided direct experimental evidence to understand the effect of oxygen-related crystal defects in Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} films on its photoelectric performance.« less

  14. Superconducting order from disorder in 2H-TaSe 2-xS x

    DOE PAGES

    Li, Lijun; Deng, Xiaoyu; Wang, Zhen; ...

    2017-02-24

    Here, we report on the emergence of robust superconducting order in single crystal alloys of TaSe 2$ -$x S x (0 ≤ × ≤2). The critical temperature of the alloy is surprisingly higher than that of the two end compounds TaSe2 and TaS2. The evolution of superconducting critical temperature T c(x) correlates with the full width at half maximum of the Bragg peaks and with the linear term of the high-temperature resistivity. The conductivity of the crystals near the middle of the alloy series is higher or similar than that of either one of the end members 2H-TaSe 2 and/ormore » 2H-TaS 2. It is known that in these materials superconductivity is in close competition with charge density wave order. We interpret our experimental findings in a picture where disorder tilts this balance in favor of superconductivity by destroying the charge density wave order.« less

  15. Experiment and density functional theory analyses of GdTaO4 single crystal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ding, Shoujun; Kinross, Ashlie; Wang, Xiaofei; Yang, Huajun; Zhang, Qingli; Liu, Wenpeng; Sun, Dunlu

    2018-05-01

    GdTaO4 is a type of excellent materials that can be used as scintillation, laser matrix as well as self-activated phosphor has generated significant interest. Whereas its band structure, electronic structure and optical properties are still need elucidation. To solve this intriguing problem, high-quality GdTaO4 single crystal (M-type) was grown successfully using Czochralski method. Its structure as well as optical properties was determined in experiment. Moreover, a systematic theoretical calculation based on the density function theory methods were performed on M-type and M‧-type GdTaO4 and their band structure, density of state as well as optical properties were obtained. Combine with the performed experiment results, the calculated results were proved with high reliability. Hence, the calculated results obtained in this work could provide a deep understanding of GdTaO4 material, which also useful for the further investigation on GdTaO4 material.

  16. Nano suboxide layer generated in Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} by Ar{sup +} ion irradiation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Song, W. D., E-mail: song-wendong@dsi.a-star.edu.sg, E-mail: ying-ji-feng@dsi.a-star.edu.sg; Ying, J. F., E-mail: song-wendong@dsi.a-star.edu.sg, E-mail: ying-ji-feng@dsi.a-star.edu.sg; He, W.

    2015-01-19

    Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}/TaO{sub x} heterostructure has become a leading oxide layer in memory cells and/or a bidirectional selector for resistive random access memory (RRAM). Although atomic layer deposition (ALD) was found to be uniquely suitable for depositing uniform and conformal films on complex topographies, it is hard to use ALD to grow suboxide TaO{sub x} layer. In this study, tantalum oxide films with a composition of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} were grown by ALD. Using Ar{sup +} ion irradiation, the suboxide was formed in the top layer of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} films by observing the Ta core level shift toward lowermore » binding energy with angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By controlling the energy and irradiation time of an Ar{sup +} ion beam, Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}/TaO{sub x} heterostructure can be reliably produced on ALD films, which provides a way to fabricate the critical switching layers of RRAM.« less

  17. Mechanism of the reset process in bipolar-resistance-switching Ta/TaOx/Pt capacitors based on observation of the capacitance and resistance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Na, Sang-Chul; Kim, Jae-Jun; Chul Chun, Min; Hee Jin, Da; Ahn, Seung-Eon; Soo Kang, Bo

    2014-03-01

    The capacitance (C) and the resistance (R) were measured at various states as the reset process progressed in bipolar-resistance-switching Ta/TaOx/Pt thin film capacitors. The reset process was found to undergo three sequential stages where C and R showed different behavior: increasing C and constant R before an abrupt reset transition, the rapid increase of both C and R upon transition, and saturated C thereafter. These behaviors can be explained in terms of the annihilation of the oxygen vacancies followed by rupture of the conducting channels.

  18. Investigations into Ti-(Nb,Ta)-Fe alloys for biomedical applications.

    PubMed

    Biesiekierski, Arne; Lin, Jixing; Li, Yuncang; Ping, Dehai; Yamabe-Mitarai, Yoko; Wen, Cuie

    2016-03-01

    In this study, a Ti-(Ta,Nb)-Fe system was investigated with aims toward the development of high strength, biocompatible titanium alloy suitable for the development of porous orthopedic biomaterials with minimal processing. Notable findings include yield strengths of 740, 1250 and 1360 MPa for the Ti-12Nb-5Fe, Ti-7Ta-5Fe and Ti-10Ta-4Fe alloys, respectively, with elastic moduli comparable to existing Ti-alloys, yielding admissible strains of 0.9 ± 0.3, 1.2 ± 0.2 and 1.13 ± 0.02% for the Ti-12Nb-5Fe, Ti-7Ta-5Fe and Ti-10Ta-4Fe alloys, respectively; more than twice that of human bone. Observed microstructure varied significantly depending on alloy; near pure β-phase was seen in Ti-12Nb-5Fe, β with some ω precipitation in Ti-10Ta-4Fe, and a duplex α+β structure was observed throughout the Ti-7Ta-5Fe. In addition to suitable mechanical parameters, all investigated alloys exhibited promising corrosion potentials on the order of -0.24 V SCE, equalling that seen for a C.P.-Ti control at -0.25V SCE, and substantially more noble than that seen for Ti-6Al-4V. Electrochemical corrosion rates of 0.5-3 μm/year were likewise seen to agree well with that measured for C.P.-Ti. Further, no statistically significant difference could be seen between any of the alloys relative to a C.P.-Ti control regards to cell proliferation, as investigated via MTS assay and confocal microscopy. As such, the combination of high admissible strain and low corrosion indicate all investigated alloys show significant promise as potential porous biomaterials while in the as-cast state, with the Ti-10Ta-4Fe alloy identified as the most promising composition investigated. The findings of this paper are of significance to the field of metallic biomaterials as they detail the development of alloys of satisfactory biocompatibility and electrochemical behaviour, that furthermore display exceptional mechanical properties. Notably, both extremely high compressive yield strengths and admissible strains

  19. Wheat TaPUB1 modulates plant drought stress resistance by improving antioxidant capability.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Guangqiang; Zhang, Meng; Zhao, Zhongxian; Ren, Yuanqing; Li, Qinxue; Wang, Wei

    2017-08-08

    E3 ligases play significant roles in plant stress tolerance by targeting specific substrate proteins for post-translational modification. In a previous study, we cloned TaPUB1 from Triticum aestivum L., which encodes a U-box E3 ligase. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the gene was up-regulated under drought stress. To investigate the function of TaPUB1 in the response of plants to drought, we generated transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana (N. benthamiana) plants constitutively expressing TaPUB1 under the CaMV35S promoter. Compared to wild type (WT), the transgenic plants had higher germination and seedling survival rates as well as higher photosynthetic rate and water retention, suggesting that the overexpression of TaPUB1 enhanced the drought tolerance of the TaPUB1 overexpressing (OE) plants. Moreover, less accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stronger antioxidant capacity were detected in the OE plants than in the WT plants. To characterize the mechanisms involved, methyl viologen (MV) was used to induce oxidative stress conditions and we identified the functions of this gene in the plant tolerance to oxidative stress. Our results suggest that TaPUB1 positively modulates plant drought stress resistance potential by improving their antioxidant capacity.

  20. Effects of a Ta interlayer on the phase transition of TiSi2 on Si(111)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jeon, Hyeongtag; Jung, Bokhee; Kim, Young Do; Yang, Woochul; Nemanich, R. J.

    2000-09-01

    This study examines the effects of a thin Ta interlayer on the formation of TiSi2 on Si(111) substrate. The Ta interlayer was introduced by depositing Ta and Ti films sequentially on an atomically clean Si(111) substrate in an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) system. Samples of 100 Å Ti with 5 and 10 Å Ta interlayers were compared to similar structures without an interlayer. After deposition, the substrates were annealed for 10 min, in situ, at temperatures between 500 and 750 °C in 50 °C increments. The TiSi2 formation with and without the Ta interlayer was analyzed with an X-ray diffractometer, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a four-point probe. The AES analysis data showed a 1:2 ratio of Ti:Si in the Ti-silicide layer and indicated that the Ta layer remained at the interface between TiSi2 and the Si(111) substrate. The C 49-C 54 TiSi2 phase transition temperature was lowered by ˜200 °C. The C 49-C 54 TiSi2 phase transition temperature was 550 °C for the samples with a Ta interlayer and was 750 °C for the samples with no Ta interlayer. The sheet resistance of the Ta interlayered Ti silicide showed lower values of resistivity at low temperatures which indicated the change in phase transition temperature. The C 54 TiSi2 displayed different crystal orientation when the Ta interlayer was employed. The SEM and TEM micrographs showed that the TiSi2 with a Ta interlayer significantly suppressed the tendency to islanding and surface agglomeration.

  1. 75 FR 66794 - Notice of Affirmative Determination Regarding Application for Reconsideration: TA-W-71,572...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-29

    ...., Steubenville, OH By applications dated May 15 and May 21, 2010, United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber... back plate coils (TA-W-71,572A), hot rolled coils (TA- W-71,572B), and cold rolled coils (TA-W-71,572C...

  2. Virus-Induced Gene Silencing Identifies an Important Role of the TaRSR1 Transcription Factor in Starch Synthesis in Bread Wheat.

    PubMed

    Liu, Guoyu; Wu, Yufang; Xu, Mengjun; Gao, Tian; Wang, Pengfei; Wang, Lina; Guo, Tiancai; Kang, Guozhang

    2016-09-23

    The function of a wheat starch regulator 1 (TaRSR1) in regulating the synthesis of grain storage starch was determined using the barley stripe mosaic virus-virus induced gene-silencing (BSMV-VIGS) method in field experiments. Chlorotic stripes appeared on the wheat spikes infected with barley stripe mosaic virus-virus induced gene-silencing- wheat starch regulator 1 (BSMV-VIGS-TaRSR1) at 15 days after anthesis, at which time the transcription levels of the TaRSR1 gene significantly decreased. Quantitative real-time PCR was also used to measure the transcription levels of 26 starch synthesis-related enzyme genes in the grains of BSMV-VIGS-TaRSR1-silenced wheat plants at 20, 27, and 31 days after anthesis. The results showed that the transcription levels of some starch synthesis-related enzyme genes were markedly induced at different sampling time points: TaSSI, TaSSIV, TaBEIII, TaISA1, TaISA3, TaPHOL, and TaDPE1 genes were induced at each of the three sampling time points and TaAGPS1-b, TaAGPL1, TaAGPL2, TaSSIIb, TaSSIIc, TaSSIIIb, TaBEI, TaBEIIa, TaBEIIb, TaISA2, TaPHOH, and TaDPE2 genes were induced at one sampling time point. Moreover, both the grain starch contents, one thousand kernel weights, grain length and width of BSMV-VIGS-TaRSR1-infected wheat plants significantly increased. These results suggest that TaRSR1 acts as a negative regulator and plays an important role in starch synthesis in wheat grains by temporally regulating the expression of specific starch synthesis-related enzyme genes.

  3. Virus-Induced Gene Silencing Identifies an Important Role of the TaRSR1 Transcription Factor in Starch Synthesis in Bread Wheat

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Guoyu; Wu, Yufang; Xu, Mengjun; Gao, Tian; Wang, Pengfei; Wang, Lina; Guo, Tiancai; Kang, Guozhang

    2016-01-01

    The function of a wheat starch regulator 1 (TaRSR1) in regulating the synthesis of grain storage starch was determined using the barley stripe mosaic virus—virus induced gene-silencing (BSMV-VIGS) method in field experiments. Chlorotic stripes appeared on the wheat spikes infected with barley stripe mosaic virus-virus induced gene-silencing- wheat starch regulator 1 (BSMV-VIGS-TaRSR1) at 15 days after anthesis, at which time the transcription levels of the TaRSR1 gene significantly decreased. Quantitative real-time PCR was also used to measure the transcription levels of 26 starch synthesis-related enzyme genes in the grains of BSMV-VIGS-TaRSR1-silenced wheat plants at 20, 27, and 31 days after anthesis. The results showed that the transcription levels of some starch synthesis-related enzyme genes were markedly induced at different sampling time points: TaSSI, TaSSIV, TaBEIII, TaISA1, TaISA3, TaPHOL, and TaDPE1 genes were induced at each of the three sampling time points and TaAGPS1-b, TaAGPL1, TaAGPL2, TaSSIIb, TaSSIIc, TaSSIIIb, TaBEI, TaBEIIa, TaBEIIb, TaISA2, TaPHOH, and TaDPE2 genes were induced at one sampling time point. Moreover, both the grain starch contents, one thousand kernel weights, grain length and width of BSMV-VIGS-TaRSR1-infected wheat plants significantly increased. These results suggest that TaRSR1 acts as a negative regulator and plays an important role in starch synthesis in wheat grains by temporally regulating the expression of specific starch synthesis-related enzyme genes. PMID:27669224

  4. Thickness-dependence of optical constants for Ta2O5 ultrathin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Dong-Xu; Zheng, Yu-Xiang; Cai, Qing-Yuan; Lin, Wei; Wu, Kang-Ning; Mao, Peng-Hui; Zhang, Rong-Jun; Zhao, Hai-bin; Chen, Liang-Yao

    2012-09-01

    An effective method for determining the optical constants of Ta2O5 thin films deposited on crystal silicon (c-Si) using spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) measurement with a two-film model (ambient-oxide-interlayer-substrate) was presented. Ta2O5 thin films with thickness range of 1-400 nm have been prepared by the electron beam evaporation (EBE) method. We find that the refractive indices of Ta2O5 ultrathin films less than 40 nm drop with the decreasing thickness, while the other ones are close to those of bulk Ta2O5. This phenomenon was due to the existence of an interfacial oxide region and the surface roughness of the film, which was confirmed by the measurement of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Optical properties of ultrathin film varying with the thickness are useful for the design and manufacture of nano-scaled thin-film devices.

  5. Bone response to a novel Ti-Ta-Nb-Zr alloy.

    PubMed

    Stenlund, Patrik; Omar, Omar; Brohede, Ulrika; Norgren, Susanne; Norlindh, Birgitta; Johansson, Anna; Lausmaa, Jukka; Thomsen, Peter; Palmquist, Anders

    2015-07-01

    Commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) is regarded as the state-of-the-art material for bone-anchored dental devices, whereas the mechanically stronger alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), made of titanium, aluminum (Al) and vanadium (V), is regarded as the material of choice for high-load applications. There is a call for the development of new alloys, not only to eliminate the potential toxic effect of Al and V but also to meet the challenges imposed on dental and maxillofacial reconstructive devices, for example. The present work evaluates a novel, dual-stage, acid-etched, Ti-Ta-Nb-Zr alloy implant, consisting of elements that create low toxicity, with the potential to promote osseointegration in vivo. The alloy implants (denoted Ti-Ta-Nb-Zr) were evaluated after 7 days and 28 days in a rat tibia model, with reference to commercially pure titanium grade 4 (denoted Ti). Analyses were performed with respect to removal torque, histomorphometry and gene expression. The Ti-Ta-Nb-Zr showed a significant increase in implant stability over time in contrast to the Ti. Further, the histological and gene expression analyses suggested faster healing around the Ti-Ta-Nb-Zr, as judged by the enhanced remodeling, and mineralization, of the early-formed woven bone and the multiple positive correlations between genes denoting inflammation, bone formation and remodeling. Based on the present experiments, it is concluded that the Ti-Ta-Nb-Zr alloy becomes osseointegrated to at least a similar degree to that of pure titanium implants. This alloy is therefore emerging as a novel implant material for clinical evaluation. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. TaGS5-3A, a grain size gene selected during wheat improvement for larger kernel and yield.

    PubMed

    Ma, Lin; Li, Tian; Hao, Chenyang; Wang, Yuquan; Chen, Xinhong; Zhang, Xueyong

    2016-05-01

    Grain size is a dominant component of grain weight in cereals. Earlier studies have shown that OsGS5 plays a major role in regulating both grain size and weight in rice via promotion of cell division. In this study, we isolated TaGS5 homoeologues in wheat and mapped them on chromosomes 3A, 3B and 3D. Temporal and spatial expression analysis showed that TaGS5 homoeologues were preferentially expressed in young spikes and developing grains. Two alleles of TaGS5-3A, TaGS5-3A-T and TaGS5-3A-G were identified in wheat accessions, and a functional marker was developed to discriminate them. Association analysis revealed that TaGS5-3A-T was significantly correlated with larger grain size and higher thousand kernel weight. Biochemical assays showed that TaGS5-3A-T possesses a higher enzymatic activity than TaGS5-3A-G. Transgenic rice lines overexpressing TaGS5-3A-T also exhibited larger grain size and higher thousand kernel weight than TaGS5-3A-G lines, and the transcript levels of cell cycle-related genes in TaGS5-3A-T lines were higher than those in TaGS5-3A-G lines. Furthermore, systematic evolution analysis in diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid wheat showed that TaGS5-3A underwent strong artificial selection during wheat polyploidization events and the frequency changes of two alleles demonstrated that TaGS5-3A-T was favoured in global modern wheat cultivars. These results suggest that TaGS5-3A is a positive regulator of grain size and its favoured allele TaGS5-3A-T exhibits a larger potential application in wheat high-yield breeding. © 2015 Society for Experimental Biology, Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. TaNAC29, a NAC transcription factor from wheat, enhances salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Huang, Quanjun; Wang, Yan; Li, Bin; Chang, Junli; Chen, Mingjie; Li, Kexiu; Yang, Guangxiao; He, Guangyuan

    2015-11-04

    NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) transcription factors play important roles in plant biological processes, including phytohormone homeostasis, plant development, and in responses to various environmental stresses. TaNAC29 was introduced into Arabidopsis using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated floral dipping method. TaNAC29-overexpression plants were subjected to salt and drought stresses for examining gene functions. To investigate tolerant mechanisms involved in the salt and drought responses, expression of related marker genes analyses were conducted, and related physiological indices were also measured. Expressions of genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A novel NAC transcription factor gene, designated TaNAC29, was isolated from bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Sequence alignment suggested that TaNAC29 might be located on chromosome 2BS. TaNAC29 was localized to the nucleus in wheat protoplasts, and proved to have transcriptional activation activities in yeast. TaNAC29 was expressed at a higher level in the leaves, and expression levels were much higher in senescent leaves, indicating that TaNAC29 might be involved in the senescence process. TaNAC29 transcripts were increased following treatments with salt, PEG6000, H2O2, and abscisic acid (ABA). To examine TaNAC29 function, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing TaNAC29 were generated. Germination and root length assays of transgenic plants demonstrated that TaNAC29 overexpression plants had enhanced tolerances to high salinity and dehydration, and exhibited an ABA-hypersensitive response. When grown in the greenhouse, TaNAC29-overexpression plants showed the same tolerance response to salt and drought stresses at both the vegetative and reproductive period, and had delayed bolting and flowering in the reproductive period. Moreover, TaNAC29 overexpression plants accumulated lesser malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, while had higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and

  8. Impact of total ionizing dose irradiation on Pt/SrBi2Ta2O9/HfTaO/Si memory capacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yan, S. A.; Zhao, W.; Guo, H. X.; Xiong, Y.; Tang, M. H.; Li, Z.; Xiao, Y. G.; Zhang, W. L.; Ding, H.; Chen, J. W.; Zhou, Y. C.

    2015-01-01

    In this work, metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) structure capacitors with SrBi2Ta2O9 (300 nm) as ferroelectric thin film and HfTaO (6 nm, 8 nm, 10 nm, and 12 nm) as insulating buffer layer were proposed and investigated. The prepared capacitors were fabricated and characterized before radiation and then subjected to 60Co gamma irradiation in steps of two dose levels. Significant irradiation-induced degradation of the electrical characteristics was observed. The radiation experimental results indicated that stability and reliability of as-fabricated MFIS capacitors for nonvolatile memory applications could become uncontrollable under strong irradiation dose and/or long irradiation time.

  9. Wheat TaNPSN SNARE homologues are involved in vesicle-mediated resistance to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici)

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xiaodong; Wang, Xiaojie; Deng, Lin; Chang, Haitao; Dubcovsky, Jorge; Feng, Hao; Han, Qingmei; Huang, Lili; Kang, Zhensheng

    2014-01-01

    Subcellular localisation of SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) and their ability to form SNARE complexes are critical for determining the specificity of vesicle fusion. NPSN11, a Novel Plant SNARE (NPSN) gene, has been reported to be involved in the delivery of cell wall precursors to the newly formed cell plate during cytokinesis. However, functions of NPSN genes in plant–pathogen interactions are largely unknown. In this study, we cloned and characterized three NPSN genes (TaNPSN11, TaNPSN12, and TaNPSN13) and three plant defence-related SNARE homologues (TaSYP132, TaSNAP34, and TaMEMB12). TaSYP132 showed a highly specific interaction with TaNPSN11 in both yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. We hypothesize that this interaction may indicate a partnership in vesicle trafficking. Expressions of the three TaNPSNs and TaSYP132 were differentially induced in wheat leaves when challenged by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). In virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assays, resistance of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar Xingzi9104 to the Pst avirulent race CYR23 was reduced by knocking down TaNPSN11, TaNPSN13 and TaSYP132, but not TaNPSN12, implying diversified functions of these wheat SNARE homologues in prevention of Pst infection and hyphal elongation. Immuno-localization results showed that TaNPSN11 or its structural homologues were mainly distributed in vesicle structures near cell membrane toward Pst hypha. Taken together, our data suggests a role of TaNPSN11 in vesicle-mediated resistance to stripe rust. PMID:24963004

  10. Ammonium fluoride-activated synthesis of cubic δ-TaN nanoparticles at low temperatures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Young-Jun; Kim, Dae-Young; Lee, Kap-Ho; Han, Moon-Hee; Kang, Kyoung-Soo; Bae, Ki-Kwang; Lee, Jong-Hyeon

    2013-03-01

    Cubic delta-tantalum nitride ( δ-TaN) nanoparticles were selectively prepared using a K2TaF7 + (5 + k) NaN3 + kNH4F reactive mixture ( k being the number of moles of NH4F) via a combustion process under a nitrogen pressure of 2.0 MPa. The combustion temperature, when plotted as a function of the number of moles of NH4F used, was in the range of 850°C to 1,170°C. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the formation of cubic δ-TaN nanoparticles at 850°C to 950°C when NH4F is used in an amount of 2.0 mol (or greater) in the combustion experiment. Phase pure cubic δ-TaN synthesized at k = 4 exhibited a specific surface area of 30.59 m2/g and grain size of 5 to 10 nm, as estimated from the transmission electron microscopy micrograph. The role of NH4F in the formation process of δ-TaN is discussed with regard to a hypothetical reaction mechanism.

  11. Vector optical activity in the Weyl semimetal TaAs

    DOE PAGES

    Norman, M. R.

    2015-12-15

    Here, it is shown that the Weyl semimetal TaAs can have a significant polar vector contribution to its optical activity. This is quantified by ab initio calculations of the resonant x-ray diffraction at the Ta L1 edge. For the Bragg vector (400), this polar vector contribution to the circular intensity differential between left and right polarized x-rays is predicted to be comparable to that arising from linear dichroism. Implications this result has in regards to optical effects predicted for topological Weyl semimetals are discussed.

  12. Engineering Mathematics Assessment Using "MapleTA"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jones, Ian S.

    2008-01-01

    The assessment of degree level engineering mathematics students using the computer-aided assessment package MapleTA is discussed. Experience of academic and practical issues for both online coursework and examination assessments is presented, hopefully benefiting other academics in this novel area of activity. (Contains 6 figures and 1 table.)

  13. Two members of TaRLK family confer powdery mildew resistance in common wheat.

    PubMed

    Chen, Tingting; Xiao, Jin; Xu, Jun; Wan, Wentao; Qin, Bi; Cao, Aizhong; Chen, Wei; Xing, Liping; Du, Chen; Gao, Xiquan; Zhang, Shouzhong; Zhang, Ruiqi; Shen, Wenbiao; Wang, Haiyan; Wang, Xiue

    2016-01-25

    Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminearum f.sp. tritici (Bgt), is one of the most severe fungal diseases of wheat. The exploration and utilization of new gene resources is the most effective approach for the powdery mildew control. We report the cloning and functional analysis of two wheat LRR-RLKs from T. aestivum c.v. Prins- T. timopheevii introgression line IGV1-465, named TaRLK1 and TaRLK2, which play positive roles in regulating powdery mildew resistance in wheat. The two LRR-RLKs contain an ORF of 3,045 nucleotides, encoding a peptide of 1014 amino acids, with seven amino acids difference. Their predicted proteins possess a signal peptide, several LRRs, a trans-membrane domain, and a Ser/Thr protein kinase domain. In response to Bgt infection, the TaRLK1/2 expression is up-regulated in a developmental-stage-dependent manner. Single-cell transient over-expression and gene-silencing assays indicate that both genes positively regulate the resistance to mixed Bgt inoculums. Transgenic lines over-expressing TaRLK1 or TaRLK2 in a moderate powdery mildew susceptible wheat variety Yangmai 158 led to significantly enhanced powdery mildew resistance. Exogenous applied salicylic acid (SA) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced the expression of both genes, and H2O2 had a higher accumulation at the Bgt penetration sites in RLK over-expression transgenic plants, suggesting a possible involvement of SA and altered ROS homeostasis in the defense response to Bgt infection. The two LRR-RLKs are located in the long arm of wheat chromosome 2B, in which the powdery mildew resistance gene Pm6 is located, but in different regions. Two members of TaRLK family were cloned from IGV1-465. TaRLK1 and TaRLK2 contribute to powdery mildew resistance of wheat, providing new resistance gene resources for wheat breeding.

  14. Chromosomal distribution of pTa-535, pTa-86, pTa-713, 35S rDNA repetitive sequences in interspecific hexaploid hybrids of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spelt (Triticum spelta L.)

    PubMed Central

    Duba, Adrian; Kwiatek, Michał; Wiśniewska, Halina; Wachowska, Urszula; Wiwart, Marian

    2018-01-01

    Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) relies on fluorescent-labeled probes to detect specific DNA sequences in the genome, and it is widely used in cytogenetic analyses. The aim of this study was to determine the karyotype of T. aestivum and T. spelta hybrids and their parental components (three common wheat cultivars and five spelt breeding lines), to identify chromosomal aberrations in the evaluated wheat lines, and to analyze the distribution of polymorphisms of repetitive sequences in the examined hybrids. The FISH procedure was carried out with four DNA clones, pTa-86, pTa-535, pTa-713 and 35S rDNA used as probes. The observed polymorphisms between the investigated lines of common wheat, spelt and their hybrids was relatively low. However, differences were observed in the distribution of repetitive sequences on chromosomes 4A, 6A, 1B and 6B in selected hybrid genomes. The polymorphisms observed in common wheat and spelt hybrids carry valuable information for wheat breeders. The results of our study are also a valuable source of knowledge about genome organization and diversification in common wheat, spelt and their hybrids. The relevant information is essential for common wheat breeders, and it can contribute to breeding programs aimed at biodiversity preservation. PMID:29447228

  15. Chromosomal distribution of pTa-535, pTa-86, pTa-713, 35S rDNA repetitive sequences in interspecific hexaploid hybrids of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spelt (Triticum spelta L.).

    PubMed

    Goriewa-Duba, Klaudia; Duba, Adrian; Kwiatek, Michał; Wiśniewska, Halina; Wachowska, Urszula; Wiwart, Marian

    2018-01-01

    Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) relies on fluorescent-labeled probes to detect specific DNA sequences in the genome, and it is widely used in cytogenetic analyses. The aim of this study was to determine the karyotype of T. aestivum and T. spelta hybrids and their parental components (three common wheat cultivars and five spelt breeding lines), to identify chromosomal aberrations in the evaluated wheat lines, and to analyze the distribution of polymorphisms of repetitive sequences in the examined hybrids. The FISH procedure was carried out with four DNA clones, pTa-86, pTa-535, pTa-713 and 35S rDNA used as probes. The observed polymorphisms between the investigated lines of common wheat, spelt and their hybrids was relatively low. However, differences were observed in the distribution of repetitive sequences on chromosomes 4A, 6A, 1B and 6B in selected hybrid genomes. The polymorphisms observed in common wheat and spelt hybrids carry valuable information for wheat breeders. The results of our study are also a valuable source of knowledge about genome organization and diversification in common wheat, spelt and their hybrids. The relevant information is essential for common wheat breeders, and it can contribute to breeding programs aimed at biodiversity preservation.

  16. Directional Solidification and Mechanical Properties of NiAl-NiAlTa Alloys

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Johnson, D. R.; Chen, X. F.; Oliver, B. F.; Noebe, R. D.; Whittenberger, J. D.

    1995-01-01

    Directional solidification of eutectic alloys is a promising technique for producing in-situ composite materials exhibiting a balance of properties. Consequently, the microstructure, creep strength and fracture toughness of directionally solidified NiAl-NiAlTa alloys were investigated. Directional solidification was performed by containerless processing techniques to minimize alloy contamination. The eutectic composition was found to be NiAl-15.5 at% Ta and well-aligned microstructures were produced at this composition. A near-eutectic alloy of NiAl-14.5Ta was also investigated. Directional solidification of the near-eutectic composition resulted in microstructures consisting of NiAl dendrites surrounded by aligned eutectic regions. The off-eutectic alloy exhibited promising compressive creep strengths compared to other NiAl-based intermetallics, while preliminary testing indicated that the eutectic alloy was competitive with Ni-base single crystal superalloys. The room temperature toughness of these two-phase alloys was similar to that of polycrystalline NiAl even with the presence of the brittle Laves phase NiAlTa.

  17. Magneto-optical properties of CoFeB ultrathin films: Effect of Ta buffer and capping layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Husain, Sajid; Gupta, Nanhe Kumar; Barwal, Vineet; Chaudhary, Sujeet

    2018-05-01

    The effect of adding Ta as a capping and buffer layer on ultrathin CFB(Co60Fe20B20) thin films has been investigated by magneto-optical Kerr effect. A large difference in the coercivity and saturation field is observed between the single layer CFB(2nm) and Ta(5nm)/CFB(2nm)/Ta(2nm) trilayer structure. In particular, the in-plane anisotropy energy is found to be 90kJ/m3 on CFB(2nm) and 2.22kJ/m3 for Ta(5nm)/CFB(2nm)/Ta(2nm) thin films. Anisotropy energy further reduced to 0.93kJ/m3 on increasing the CFB thinness in trilayer structure i.e., Ta(5nm)/CFB(4nm)/Ta(2nm). Using VSM measurement, the saturation magnetization is found to be 1230±50 kA/m. Low coercivity and anisotropy energy in capped and buffer layer thin films envisage the potential of employing CFB for low field switching applications of the spintronic devices.

  18. Development of a new DHPLC assay for genotyping UGT1A (TA)n polymorphism associated with Gilbert's syndrome.

    PubMed

    Mlakar, Simona Jurkovic; Ostanek, Barbara

    2011-01-01

    Gilbert's syndrome is the most common hereditary disorder of bilirubin metabolism. The causative mutation in Caucasians is almost exclusively a (TA) dinucleotide insertion in the UGT1A1 promoter. Affected individuals are homozygous for the variant promoter and have 7 TA repeats instead of 6. Promoters with 5 and 8 TA repeats also exist but are extremely rare in Caucasians. The aim of our study was to develop denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) assay for genotyping UGT1A1(TA)n polymorphism and to compare it with a previously described single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) assay. Fifty DNA samples with common genotypes ((TA)6/6, (TA)6/7, (TA)7/7) as well as 7 samples with one of the following rare genotypes- (TA)5/6, (TA)5/7, (TA)6/8 or (TA)7/8 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyped by DHPLC using sizing mode. All samples were previously genotyped by SSCP assay which was validated by sequencing analysis. All samples with either common or rare genotypes showed completely concordant results between DHPLC and SSCP assays. Our results show that sizing DHPLC assay is more efficient compared to classical SSCP assay due to shorter time of genotyping analysis, ability of genotyping increased number of samples per day, higher robustness, reproducibility and cost-effectiveness with no loss of accuracy in detection of all UGT1A1(TA)n genotypes. We developed a new DHPLC assay which is suitable for accurate, automated, highthroughput, robust genotyping of all UGT1A1(TA)n polymorphism variants, compared to a labour intensive and time-consuming SSCP assay.

  19. Helium and deuterium irradiation effects in W-Ta composites produced by pulse plasma compaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dias, M.; Catarino, N.; Nunes, D.; Fortunato, E.; Nogueira, I.; Rosinki, M.; Correia, J. B.; Carvalho, P. A.; Alves, E.

    2017-08-01

    Tungsten-tantalum composites have been envisaged for first-wall components of nuclear fusion reactors; however, changes in their microstructure are expected from severe irradiation with helium and hydrogenic plasma species. In this study, composites were produced from ball milled W powder mixed with 10 at.% Ta fibers through consolidation by pulse plasma compaction. Implantation was carried out at room temperature with He+ (30 keV) or D+ (15 keV) or sequentially with He+ and D+ using ion beams with fluences of 5 × 1021 at/m2. Microstructural changes and deuterium retention in the implanted composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, coupled with focused ion beam and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and nuclear reaction analysis. The composite materials consisted of Ta fibers dispersed in a nanostructured W matrix, with Ta2O5 layers at the interfacial regions. The Ta and Ta2O5 surfaces exhibited blisters after He+ implantation and subsequent D+ implantation worsened the blistering behavior of Ta2O5. Swelling was also pronounced in Ta2O5 where large blisters exhibited an internal nanometer-sized fuzz structure. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an extensive presence of dislocations in the metallic phases after the sequential implantation, while a relatively low density of defects was detected in Ta2O5. This behavior may be partially justified by a shielding effect from the blisters and fuzz structure developed progressively during implantation. The tungsten peaks in the X-ray diffractograms were markedly shifted after He+ implantation, and even more so after the sequential implantation, which is in agreement with the increased D retention inferred from nuclear reaction analysis.

  20. Oxidation of ZrB2 SiC TaSi2 Materials at Ultra High Temperatures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Opila, E.; Smith, J.; Levine, S.; Lorincz, J.; Reigel, M.

    2008-01-01

    ZrB2 - 20v% SiC - 20v% TaSi2 was oxidized in stagnant air for ten minute cycles for times up to 100 minutes at 1627 C and 1927 C. The sample oxidized at 1627 C showed oxidation resistance better than that of the standard ZrB2 - 20v% SiC. The sample oxidized at 1927 C, however, showed evidence of liquid phase formation and complex oxidation products. The sample exposed at 1927 C was analyzed in detail by scanning electron microprobe and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy to understand the complex oxidation and melting reactions occurring during exposure. The as hot-pressed material shows the formation of a Zr(Ta)B2 phase in addition to the three phases in the nominal composition already noted. After oxidation, the TaSi2 in the matrix was completely reacted to form Ta(Zr)C. The layered oxidation products included SiO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, and a complex oxide containing both Zr and Ta. Likely reactions are proposed based on thermodynamic phase stability and phase morphology.

  1. Top-seeded solution growth and morphology change of RbTiOPO4:Ta single crystal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Ziqing; Chen, Yang; Zhu, Pengfei; Ji, Nianjing; Duan, Xiulan; Jiang, Huaidong

    2018-04-01

    The RbTiOPO4:Ta single crystal with dimensions of 4 mm × 31 mm × 18 mm was successfully grown by Top Seeded Solution Growth Technique. It is concluded that the doping Ta element can strongly influence the growth and morphology of the RbTiOPO4 crystal. The evident morphology change of RbTiOPO4:Ta crystal with respect to RbTiOPO4 crystal has been observed and the (1 0 0) crystal face was more developed than any other crystal faces. The possible reasons of the morphology change were analyzed through experimental and theoretical methods. Several methods were tried to increase crystallographic a direction dimension of RbTiOPO4:Ta crystals. Finally, the RbTiOPO4:Ta single crystal with crystallographic a direction dimension up to 6 mm was obtained by using thicker seed crystal. This way makes it possible to get isometric RbTiOPO4:Ta crystals, which is beneficial for nonlinear optical applications due to larger area in x-y plane.

  2. Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of [Ta2B6]-: a Hexagonal Bipyramdial Cluster

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jian, Tian; Li, Weili; Romanescu, Constantin; Wang, Lai-Sheng

    2014-06-01

    It has been a long-sought goal in cluster science to discover stable atomic clusters as building blocks for cluster-assembled nanomaterials, as exemplified by the fullerenes and their subsequent bulk syntheses.[1,2] Clusters have also been considered as models to understand bulk properties, providing a bridge between molecular and solid-state chemistry.[3] Herein we report a joint photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study on the [Ta2B6]- and [Ta2B6] clusters.[4] The photoelectron spectrum of [Ta2B6]- displays a simple spectral pattern and a large HOMO-LUMO gap, suggesting its high symmetry. Theoretical calculations show that both the neutral and anion are D6h pyramidal. The chemical bonding analyses for [Ta2B6] revealed the nature of the B6 and Ta interactions and uncovered strong covalent bonding between B6 and Ta. The D6h-[TaB6Ta] gaseous cluster is reminiscent of the structural pattern in the ReB6X6Re core in the [(Cp*Re)2B6H4Cl2] and the TiB6Ti motif in the newly synthesized Ti7Rh4Ir2B8 solid-state compound.[5,6] The current work provides an intrinsic link between a gaseous cluster and motifs for solid materials. Continued investigations of the transition-metal boron clusters may lead to the discovery of new structural motifs involving pure boron clusters for the design of novel boride materials. Reference [1] H.W. Kroto, J. R. Heath, S. C. OBrien, R. F. Curl, R. E. Smalley, Nature 1985, 318, 162 - 163. [2] W. Krtschmer, L. D. Lamb, K. Fostiropoulos, D. R. Huffman, Nature 1990, 347, 354 - 358. [3] T. P. Fehlner, J.-F. Halet, J.-Y. Saillard, Molecular Clusters: A Bridge to Solid-State Chemitry, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2007. [4] W. L. Li, L. Xie, T. Jian, C. Romanescu, X. Huang, L.-S. Wang, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 126, 1312 - 1316. [5] B. Le Guennic, H. Jiao, S. Kahlal, J.-Y. Saillard, J.-F. Halet, S. Ghosh, M. Shang, A. M. Beatty, A. L. Rheingold, T. P. Fehlner, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 3203 - 3217. [6] B. P. T. Fokwa, M. Hermus, Angew

  3. (Na{sub x}k{sub 1−x}){sub 2}Ta{sub 4}O{sub 11}(x≈0.93) piezoelectric phase from the transformation of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} thin films of monoclinic structure

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Le Gallic, M., E-mail: Marie.Le-Gallic@grenoble-inp.fr; Roussel, H.

    2013-04-15

    A phase of trigonal structure has been reported in previous articles to be piezoelectric with a very high longitudinal d{sub 33} coefficient of several thousand pm/V (J. Solid State Chem. 184 (2011) 2023, 2033). It was observed in Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} thin films and assumed to be the result of a reversible monoclinic–trigonal phase transition. However, new investigations are reported because the cell parameters of this phase are actually very close to those of the natrotantite mineral Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 4}O{sub 11}. From analyses by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS), the chemical composition of this trigonal phase corresponds to (Na{sub x}K{submore » 1−x}){sub 2}Ta{sub 4}O{sub 11} with x≈0.93. The origin of sodium, potassium, iron and oxygen atoms is found to be due to a pollution coming from alumina crucibles used for thermal treatments. Knowing both atomic structures Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} and Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 4}O{sub 11} and their structural relationships, observed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), the mechanism of the reaction of transformation is re-examined and discussed. This mechanism implies that Ta{sup 5+} vacancies likely exist in monoclinic structures of tantalum oxide and that electrical neutrality could be due to incorporated proton H{sup +} instead of O{sup 2−} vacancies or Ta{sup 5+} interstitials. - Graphical abstract: (a, b) TEM images of interfaces between Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} monoclinic and (Na{sub 0.93}K{sub 0.07}){sub 2}Ta{sub 4}O{sub 11} trigonal phases where it appears that the ratio of periods for the transformation monoclinic-to-trigonal is 3/2 (c, d) corresponding schema of the reaction of transformation, (a, c) viewed along the zone axes [010]{sub o}∥[1{sup ¯}21{sup ¯}]{sub R} and (b, d) along the zone axes [100]{sub o}∥[101{sup ¯}]{sub R}. Highlights: ► The formation of a piezoelectric phase in Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} thin films, reported in previous articles, is re-examined. ► Its composition is

  4. Laser Spectroscopy and AB Initio Calculations on the TaF Molecule

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ng, Kiu Fung; Zou, Wenli; Liu, Wenjian; Cheung, Allan S. C.

    2016-06-01

    Electronic transition spectrum of the tantalum monoflouride (TaF) molecule in the spectral region between 448 and 520 nm has been studied using the technique of laser-ablation/reaction free jet expansion and laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. TaF molecule was produced by reacting laser-ablated tantalum atoms with sulfur hexafluoride gas seeded in argon. Sixteen vibrational bands with resolved rotational structure have been recorded and analyzed, which were organized into six electronic transition systems and the ground state has been identified to be the X3Σ-(0+) state with bond length, ro, and equilibrium vibrational frequency, ωe, determined to be 1.8209 Å and 700.1 wn respectively. In addition, four vibrational bands belong to another transition system involving lower state with Ω = 2 component has also been analyzed. All observed transitions are with ΔΩ = 0. Least-squares fit of the measured line positions yielded molecular constants for the electronic states involved. The Λ-S and Ω states of TaF were calculated at the state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (SA-CASSCF) and the subsequent internally contracted multi-reference configuration interaction with singles and doubles and Davidson's cluster correction (MRCISD+Q) levels of theory with the active space of 4 electrons in 6 orbitals, that is, the molecular orbitals corresponding to Ta 5d6s are active. The spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is calculated by the state-interaction approach at the SA-CASSCF level via the relativistic effective core potentials (RECPs) spin-orbit operator, where the diagonal elements of the spin-orbit matrix are replaced by the above MRCISD+Q energies. The spectroscopic properties of the ground and many low-lying electronic states of the TaF molecule will be reported. With respect to the observed electronic states in this work, the calculated results are in good agreement with our experimental determinations. This work represents the first experimental

  5. 78 FR 41954 - TA-W-82,634, Prudential Global Business Technology Solutions Central Security Services Dresher...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-12

    ... Business Technology Solutions Central Security Services Iselin, New Jersey; TA-W-82,634B, Prudential Global Business Technology Solutions Central Security Services Plymouth, Minnesota; TA- W-82,634C, Prudential Global Business Technology Solutions Central Security Services Scottsdale, Arizona; TA-W-82,634D...

  6. A novel wheat NAC transcription factor, TaNAC30, negatively regulates resistance of wheat to stripe rust.

    PubMed

    Wang, Bing; Wei, Jinping; Song, Na; Wang, Ning; Zhao, Jing; Kang, Zhensheng

    2018-05-01

    NAC transcription factors are widespread in the plant kingdom and play essential roles in the transcriptional regulation of defense responses. In this study, we isolated a novel NAC transcription factor gene, TaNAC30, from a cDNA library constructed from wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants inoculated with the stripe rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). TaNAC30 contains a typical NAM domain and localizes to the nucleus. Yeast one-hybrid assays revealed that TaNAC30 exhibits transcriptional activity and that its C-terminus is necessary for the activation of transcription. Expression of TaNAC30 increased when host plants were infected with a virulent race (CYR31) of the rust fungus Pst. Silencing of TaNAC30 by virus-induced gene silencing inhibited colonization of the virulent Pst isolate CYR31. Moreover, detailed histological analyses showed that silencing of TaNAC30 enhanced resistance to Pst by inducing a significant increase in the accumulation of H 2 O 2 . Finally, we overexpressed TaNAC30 in fission yeast and determined that cell viability was severely reduced in TaNAC30-transformed cells grown on medium containing H 2 O 2 . These results suggest that TaNAC30 negatively regulates plant resistance in a compatible wheat-Pst interaction. © 2017 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

  7. Confronting passive behavior through outdoor experience: a TA approach to experiential learning

    Treesearch

    Frederick W. Medrick

    1977-01-01

    The concepts and techniques of transactional analysis (TA) can usefully be applied to outdoor challenge programs aimed at facilitating personal growth, developing responsibility, and teaching cooperative behavior. Passive behavior results from discounting of the self and others; four levels of it have been identified, and TA offers various means of preventing or...

  8. From single-site tantalum complexes to nanoparticles of Ta x N y and TaO x N y supported on silica: elucidation of synthesis chemistry by dynamic nuclear polarization surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Mohandas, Janet C; Abou-Hamad, Edy; Callens, Emmanuel; Samantaray, Manoja K; Gajan, David; Gurinov, Andrei; Ma, Tao; Ould-Chikh, Samy; Hoffman, Adam S; Gates, Bruce C; Basset, Jean-Marie

    2017-08-01

    Air-stable catalysts consisting of tantalum nitride nanoparticles represented as a mixture of Ta x N y and TaO x N y with diameters in the range of 0.5 to 3 nm supported on highly dehydroxylated silica were synthesized from TaMe 5 (Me = methyl) and dimeric Ta 2 (OMe) 10 with guidance by the principles of surface organometallic chemistry (SOMC). Characterization of the supported precursors and the supported nanoparticles formed from them was carried out by IR, NMR, UV-Vis, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies complemented with XRD and high-resolution TEM, with dynamic nuclear polarization surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy being especially helpful by providing enhanced intensities of the signals of 1 H, 13 C, 29 Si, and 15 N at their natural abundances. The characterization data provide details of the synthesis chemistry, including evidence of (a) O 2 insertion into Ta-CH 3 species on the support and (b) a binuclear to mononuclear transformation of species formed from Ta 2 (OMe) 10 on the support. A catalytic test reaction, cyclooctene epoxidation, was used to probe the supported nanoparticles, with 30% H 2 O 2 serving as the oxidant. The catalysts gave selectivities up to 98% for the epoxide at conversions as high as 99% with a 3.4 wt% loading of Ta present as Ta x N y /TaO x N y .

  9. In Situ Ramp Anneal X-ray Diffraction Study of Atomic Layer Deposited Ultrathin TaN and Ta 1-x Al x N y Films for Cu Diffusion Barrier Applications

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Consiglio, S.; Dey, S.; Yu, K.

    2016-01-01

    Ultrathin TaN and Ta 1-xAl xN y films with x = 0.21 to 0.88 were deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and evaluated for Cu diffusion barrier effectiveness compared to physical vapor deposition (PVD) grown TaN. Cu diffusion barrier effectiveness was investigated using in-situ ramp anneal synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) on Cu/1.8 nm barrier/Si stacks. A Kissinger-like analysis was used to assess the kinetics of Cu 3Si formation and determine the effective activation energy (E a) for Cu silicidation. Compared to the stack with a PVD TaN barrier, the stacks with the ALD films exhibited a higher crystallization temperature (Tmore » c) for Cu silicidation. The Ea values of Cu 3Si formation for stacks with the ALD films were close to the reported value for grain boundary diffusion of Cu whereas the Ea of Cu 3Si formation for the stack with PVD TaN is closer to the reported value for lattice diffusion. For 3 nm films, grazing incidence in-plane XRD showed evidence of nanocrystallites in an amorphous matrix with broad peaks corresponding to high density cubic phase for the ALD grown films and lower density hexagonal phase for the PVD grown film further elucidating the difference in initial failure mechanisms due to differences in barrier crystallinity and associated phase.« less

  10. A broadband permeability measurement of FeTaN lamination stack by the shorted microstrip line method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Xin; Ma, Yungui; Xu, Feng; Wang, Peng; Ong, C. K.

    2009-01-01

    In this paper, the microwave characteristics of a FeTaN lamination stack are studied with a shorted microstrip line method. The FeTaN lamination stack was fabricated by gluing 54 layers of FeTaN units with epoxy together. The FeTaN units were deposited on both sides of an 8 μm polyethylene terephthate (Mylar) film as the substrate by rf magnetron sputtering. On each side of the Mylar substrate, three 100-nm FeTaN layers are laminated with two 8 nm Al2O3 layers. The complex permeability of FeTaN lamination stack is calculated by the scattering parameters using the shorted load transmission line model based on the quasi-transverse-electromagnetic approximation. A full wave analysis combined with an optimization process is employed to determine the accurate effective permeability values. The optimized complex permeability data can be used for the microwave filter design.

  11. Exfoliation and van der Waals heterostructure assembly of intercalated ferromagnet Cr1/3TaS2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamasaki, Yuji; Moriya, Rai; Arai, Miho; Masubuchi, Satoru; Pyon, Sunseng; Tamegai, Tsuyoshi; Ueno, Keiji; Machida, Tomoki

    2017-12-01

    Ferromagnetic van der Waals (vdW) materials are in demand for spintronic devices with all-two-dimensional-materials heterostructures. Here, we demonstrate mechanical exfoliation of magnetic-atom-intercalated transition metal dichalcogenide Cr1/3TaS2 from its bulk crystal; previously such intercalated materials were thought difficult to exfoliate. Magnetotransport in exfoliated tens-of-nanometres-thick flakes revealed ferromagnetic ordering below its Curie temperature T C ~ 110 K as well as strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy; these are identical to its bulk properties. Further, van der Waals heterostructure assembly of Cr1/3TaS2 with another intercalated ferromagnet Fe1/4TaS2 is demonstrated using a dry-transfer method. The fabricated heterojunction composed of Cr1/3TaS2 and Fe1/4TaS2 with a native Ta2O5 oxide tunnel barrier in between exhibits tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR), revealing possible spin injection and detection with these exfoliatable ferromagnetic materials through the vdW junction.

  12. Novel Method for Making Biomedical Segregation-Free Ti-30Ta Alloy Spherical Powder for Additive Manufacturing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xia, Yang; Fang, Zhigang Zak; Sun, Pei; Zhang, Ying; Zhu, Jun

    2018-03-01

    Ti-Ta alloys offer a good combination of high strength and low modulus among Ti-based alloys, and are ideal for biomedical applications. However, making Ti-Ta alloys has always been challenging because they tend to suffer from compositional segregation during melting due to the large difference between the melting points of Ti and Ta. This article describes a novel process for making spherical Ti-30Ta alloy powder through a unique powder metallurgy technique, namely the granulation-sintering-deoxygenation process. The results indicate that the compositional segregation problem can be overcome using this process technology. Combined with use of a deoxygenation process, the critical interstitial element, oxygen, can be controlled to < 400 ppm for powder with particle size < 75 µm. The destabilization effect of Ta on Ti-O solid solutions, and the resulting improved deoxygenation process for Ti-Ta, are discussed, as well as the phase composition and microstructure of the powders.

  13. Optical signature of Weyl electronic structures in tantalum pnictides Ta P n (P n = P, As)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kimura, Shin-ichi; Yokoyama, Hiroko; Watanabe, Hiroshi; Sichelschmidt, Jörg; Süß, Vicky; Schmidt, Marcus; Felser, Claudia

    2017-08-01

    To investigate the electronic structure of Weyl semimetals Ta P n (P n = P, As), optical conductivity [σ (ω )] spectra are measured over a wide range of photon energies and temperatures, and these measured values are compared with band calculations. Two significant structures can be observed: a bending structure at ℏ ω ˜85 meV in TaAs, and peaks at ℏ ω ˜ 50 meV (TaP) and ˜30 meV (TaAs). The bending structure can be explained by the interband transition between saddle points connecting a set of W2 Weyl points. The temperature dependence of the peak intensity can be fitted by assuming the interband transition between saddle points connecting a set of W1 Weyl points. Owing to the different temperature dependence of the Drude weight in both materials, it is found that the Weyl points of TaAs are located near the Fermi level, whereas those of TaP are further away.

  14. Nanodiamond embedded ta-C composite film by pulsed filtered vacuum arc deposition from a single target

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iyer, Ajai; Etula, Jarkko; Ge, Yanling; Liu, Xuwen; Koskinen, Jari

    2016-11-01

    Detonation Nanodiamonds (DNDs) are known to have sp3 core, sp2 shell, small size (few nm) and are gaining importance as multi-functional nanoparticles. Diverse methods have been used to form composites, containing detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) embedded in conductive and dielectric matrices for various applications. Here we show a method, wherein DND-ta-C composite film, consisting of DNDs embedded in ta-C matrix have been co-deposited from the same cathode by pulsed filtered cathodic vacuum arc method. Transmission Electron Microscope analysis of these films revel the presence of DNDs embedded in the matrix of amorphous carbon. Raman spectroscopy indicates that the presence of DNDs does not adversely affect the sp3 content of DND-ta-C composite film compared to ta-C film of same thickness. Nanoindentation and nanowear tests indicate that DND-ta-C composite films possess improved mechanical properties in comparison to ta-C films of similar thickness.

  15. Three TaFAR genes function in the biosynthesis of primary alcohols and the response to abiotic stresses in Triticum aestivum

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Meiling; Wang, Yong; Wu, Hongqi; Xu, Jing; Li, Tingting; Hegebarth, Daniela; Jetter, Reinhard; Chen, Letian; Wang, Zhonghua

    2016-01-01

    Cuticular waxes play crucial roles in protecting plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. They are complex mixtures of very-long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives, including C20–C32 fatty alcohols. Here, we report the identification of 32 FAR-like genes and the detailed characterization of TaFAR2, TaFAR3 and TaFAR4, wax biosynthetic genes encoding fatty acyl-coenzyme A reductase (FAR) in wheat leaf cuticle. Heterologous expression of the three TaFARs in wild-type yeast and mutated yeast showed that TaFAR2, TaFAR3 and TaFAR4 were predominantly responsible for the accumulation of C18:0, C28:0 and C24:0 primary alcohols, respectively. Transgenic expression of the three TaFARs in tomato fruit and Arabidopsis cer4 mutant led to increased production of C22:0–C30:0 primary alcohols. GFP-fusion protein injection assay showed that the three encoded TaFAR proteins were localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the site of wax biosynthesis. The transcriptional expression of the three TaFAR genes was induced by cold, salt, drought and ABA. Low air humidity led to increased expression of TaFAR genes and elevated wax accumulation in wheat leaves. Collectively, these data suggest that TaFAR2, TaFAR3 and TaFAR4 encode active alcohol-forming FARs involved in the synthesis of primary alcohol in wheat leaf and the response to environmental stresses. PMID:27112792

  16. Toward Exploring the Structure of Monolayer to Few-layer TaS2 by Efficient Ultrasound-free Exfoliation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Yiwei; Hao, Qiaoyan; Zhu, Baichuan; Li, Biao; Gao, Zhan; Wang, Yan; Tang, Kaibin

    2018-01-01

    Tantalum disulfide nanosheets have attracted great interest due to its electronic properties and device applications. Traditional solution-ased ultrasonic process is limited by ultrasound which may cause the disintegration into submicron-sized flake. Here, an efficient multi-step intercalation and ultrasound-free process has been successfully used to exfoliate 1T-TaS2. The obtained TaS2 nanosheets reveal an average thickness of 3 nm and several micrometers in size. The formation of few-layer TaS2 nanosheets as well as monolayer TaS2 sheets is further confirmed by atomic force microscopy images. The few-layer TaS2 nanosheets remain the 1T structure, whereas monolayer TaS2 sheets show lattice distortion and may adopt the 1H-like structure with trigonal prism coordination.

  17. Structural and dielectric properties of Sr3(MgTa2)O9 and Sr3(ZnTa2)O9

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoque, Md. M.; Dutta, Alo; Kumar, S.; Sinha, T. P.

    2015-07-01

    Herein, we report the crystal structures and morphological properties of Sr3(MgTa2)O9 (SMT) and Sr3(ZnTa2)O9 (SZT) synthesized by solid state ceramic method along with the results of alternating current impedance spectroscopic (ACIS) study in a frequency range from 50 Hz to 1 MHz at selective temperatures between 393 and 573 K. The crystal structures of SMT and SZT have been determined by Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction pattern using an initial structural model developed on the basis of literature survey. The results indicate that both the samples possess hexagonal structure of trigonal P 3 bar m 1 space group. The lattice parameters of SMT are a=b=5.65162 Å, c=6.94440 Å, α=β=90° and γ=120° and those of SZT are a=b=5.65832 Å, c=6.95911 Å and α=β=90° and γ=120°. SMT and SZT are isostructural and they exhibit 2:1 B site ordering with the staking sequence of {-Ta-Ta-Mg (Zn)-} (Mg for SMT and Zn for SZT) layer repeat on (111) plane of the pseudocells. The characteristic vibrational bands due to Ta-O, Mg-O and Zn-O bonds have been observed in the FTIR spectra of the samples. The FESEM micrographs of the samples show that the grains size ranges between 0.40 and 3.65 μm and 0.9 to 4.2 μm for SMT and SZT, respectively. To account for the polydispersive nature of the dielectric relaxation mechanism along with the effects of dc conductivity and localized space charges the variation of real (ε‧) and imaginary (ε″) parts of dielectric constant with frequency has been analytically interpreted in the framework of modified Cole-Cole model. SMT and SZT having the activation energies of 0.35 eV and 0.33 eV, respectively (obtained from the Arrhenius plot of dc conductivity), are semiconducting in nature. The electrical current conduction in the samples occurs by polaron hopping process. Further, we have shown that chemical property of A site cations has significant role in determining the dielectric properties of A3B‧B″2O9 type perovskites

  18. Statistical Inference of Selection and Divergence of the Rice Blast Resistance Gene Pi-ta

    PubMed Central

    Amei, Amei; Lee, Seonghee; Mysore, Kirankumar S.; Jia, Yulin

    2014-01-01

    The resistance gene Pi-ta has been effectively used to control rice blast disease, but some populations of cultivated and wild rice have evolved resistance. Insights into the evolutionary processes that led to this resistance during crop domestication may be inferred from the population history of domesticated and wild rice strains. In this study, we applied a recently developed statistical method, time-dependent Poisson random field model, to examine the evolution of the Pi-ta gene in cultivated and weedy rice. Our study suggests that the Pi-ta gene may have more recently introgressed into cultivated rice, indica and japonica, and U.S. weedy rice from the wild species, O. rufipogon. In addition, the Pi-ta gene is under positive selection in japonica, tropical japonica, U.S. cultivars and U.S. weedy rice. We also found that sequences of two domains of the Pi-ta gene, the nucleotide binding site and leucine-rich repeat domain, are highly conserved among all rice accessions examined. Our results provide a valuable analytical tool for understanding the evolution of disease resistance genes in crop plants. PMID:25335927

  19. Study on electrical defects level in single layer two-dimensional Ta2O5

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dahai, Li; Xiongfei, Song; Linfeng, Hu; Ziyi, Wang; Rongjun, Zhang; Liangyao, Chen; David, Wei Zhang; Peng, Zhou

    2016-04-01

    Two-dimensional atomic-layered material is a recent research focus, and single layer Ta2O5 used as gate dielectric in field-effect transistors is obtained via assemblies of Ta2O5 nanosheets. However, the electrical performance is seriously affected by electronic defects existing in Ta2O5. Therefore, spectroscopic ellipsometry is used to calculate the transition energies and corresponding probabilities for two different charged oxygen vacancies, whose existence is revealed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Spectroscopic ellipsometry fitting also calculates the thickness of single layer Ta2O5, exhibiting good agreement with atomic force microscopy measurement. Nondestructive and noncontact spectroscopic ellipsometry is appropriate for detecting the electrical defects level of single layer Ta2O5. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11174058 and 61376093), the Fund from Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission (Grant No. 13QA1400400), the National Science and Technology Major Project, China (Grant No. 2011ZX02707), and the Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (Grant No. 12ZZ010).

  20. Low elastic modulus Ti-Ta alloys for load-bearing permanent implants: enhancing the biodegradation resistance by electrochemical surface engineering.

    PubMed

    Kesteven, Jazmin; Kannan, M Bobby; Walter, Rhys; Khakbaz, Hadis; Choe, Han-Choel

    2015-01-01

    In this study, the in vitro degradation behaviour of titanium-tantalum (Ti-Ta) alloys (10-30 wt.% Ta) was investigated and compared with conventional implant materials, i.e., commercially pure titanium (Cp-Ti) and titanium-aluminium-vanadium (Ti6Al4V) alloy. Among the three Ti-Ta alloys studied, the Ti20Ta (6.3×10(-4) mm/y) exhibited the lowest degradation rate, followed by Ti30Ta (1.2×10(-3) mm/y) and Ti10Ta (1.4×10(-3) mm/y). All the Ti-Ta alloys exhibited lower degradation rate than that of Cp-Ti (1.8×10(-3) mm/y), which suggests that Ta addition to Ti is beneficial. As compared to Ti6Al4V alloy (8.1×10(-4) mm/y), the degradation rate of Ti20Ta alloy was lower by ~22%. However, the Ti30Ta alloy, which has closer elastic modulus to that of natural bone, showed ~48% higher degradation rate than that of Ti6Al4V alloy. Hence, to improve the degradation performance of Ti30Ta alloy, an intermediate thin porous layer was formed electrochemically on the alloy followed by calcium phosphate (CaP) electrodeposition. The coated Ti30Ta alloy (3.8×10(-3) mm/y) showed ~53% lower degradation rate than that of Ti6Al4V alloy. Thus, the study suggests that CaP coated Ti30Ta alloy can be a viable material for load-bearing permanent implants. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Laser stimulated third harmonic generation studies in ZnO-Ta2O5-B2O3 glass ceramics entrenched with Zn3Ta2O8 crystal phases

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Siva Sesha Reddy, A.; Jedryka, J.; Ozga, K.; Ravi Kumar, V.; Purnachand, N.; Kityk, I. V.; Veeraiah, N.

    2018-02-01

    In this study zinc borate glasses doped with different concentrations Ta2O5 were synthesized and were crystallized by heat treatment for prolonged times. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, IR and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The SEM images of the crystallized samples have indicated that the samples contain randomly distributed crystal grains with size ∼1 μm entrenched in the residual amorphous phase. XRD studies have exhibited diffraction peaks identified as being due to the reflections from (1 1 1) planes of monoclinic Zn3Ta2O8 crystal phase that contains intertwined tetrahedral zinc and octahedral tantalate structural units. The concentration of such crystal phases in the bulk samples is observed to increase with increase of Ta2O5 up to 3.0 mol%. The IR and Raman spectroscopy studies have confirmed the presence of ZnO4 and TaO6 structural units in the glass network in addition to the conventional borate structural units. For measuring third harmonic generation (THG) in the samples, the samples were irradiated with 532 nm laser beam and the intensity of THG of probing beam (Nd:YAG λ = 1064 nm 20 ns pulsed laser (ω)) is measured as a function of fundamental beam power varying up to 200 J/m2. The intensity of THG is found to be increasing with increase of fundamental beam power and found to be the maximal for the glass crystallized with 3.0 mol% of Ta2O5. The intensity of THG of the ceramicized samples is found to be nearly 5 times higher with respect to that of pre-crystallized samples. The generation of 3ω is attributed to the perturbation/interaction between Zn3Ta2O8 anisotropic crystal grains and the incident probing beam.

  2. 17 CFR 249b.101 - Form TA-W, notice of withdrawal from registration as transfer agent.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Form TA-W, notice of... TA-W, notice of withdrawal from registration as transfer agent. This form shall be used for...))) [42 FR 44984, Sept. 8, 1977] Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Form TA-W, see...

  3. Diamond field effect transistors with a high-dielectric constant Ta2O5 as gate material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, J.-W.; Liao, M.-Y.; Imura, M.; Watanabe, E.; Oosato, H.; Koide, Y.

    2014-06-01

    A Ta2O5/Al2O3 bilayer gate oxide with a high-dielectric constant (high-k) has been successfully applied to a hydrogenated-diamond (H-diamond) metal-insulator-semiconductor field effect transistor (MISFET). The Ta2O5 layer is prepared by a sputtering-deposition (SD) technique on the Al2O3 buffer layer fabricated by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The ALD-Al2O3 plays an important role to eliminate plasma damage for the H-diamond surface during SD-Ta2O5 deposition. The dielectric constants of the SD-Ta2O5/ALD-Al2O3 bilayer and single SD-Ta2O5 are as large as 12.7 and 16.5, respectively. The k value of the single SD-Ta2O5 in this study is in good agreement with that of the SD-Ta2O5 on oxygen-terminated diamond. The capacitance-voltage characteristic suggests low interfacial trapped charge density for the SD-Ta2O5/ALD-Al2O3/H-diamond MIS diode. The MISFET with a gate length of 4 µm has a drain current maximum and an extrinsic transconductance of -97.7 mA mm-1 (normalized by gate width) and 31.0 ± 0.1 mS mm-1, respectively. The effective mobility in the H-diamond channel layer is found to be 70.1 ± 0.5 cm2 V-1 s-1.

  4. Effect of Al gate on the electrical behaviour of Al-doped Ta2O5 stacks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Skeparovski, A.; Novkovski, N.; Atanassova, E.; Paskaleva, A.; Lazarov, V. K.

    2011-06-01

    The electrical behaviour of Al-doped Ta2O5 films on nitrided silicon and implemented in Al-gated MIS capacitors has been studied. The dopant was introduced into the Ta2O5 through its surface by deposing a thin Al layer on the top of Ta2O5 followed by an annealing process. The HRTEM images reveal that the initial double-layer structure of the stacks composed of doped Ta2O5 and interfacial SiON layer undergoes changes during the formation of the Al gate and transforms into a three-layer structure with an additional layer between the Al electrode and the doped Ta2O5. This layer, being a result of reaction between the Al gate and the Al-doped Ta2O5, affects the overall electrical properties of the stacks. Strong charge trapping/detrapping processes have been established in the vicinity of the doped Ta2O5/SiON interface resulting in a large C-V hysteresis effect. The charge trapping also influences the current conduction in the layers keeping the current density level rather low even at high electric fields (J < 10-6 A cm-2 at 7 MV cm-1). By employing a three-layer model of the stack, the permittivity of both, the Al-doped Ta2O5 and the additional layer, has been estimated and the corresponding conduction mechanisms identified.

  5. Fabrication of electrocatalytic Ta nanoparticles by reactive sputtering and ion soft landing.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Grant E; Moser, Trevor; Engelhard, Mark; Browning, Nigel D; Laskin, Julia

    2016-11-07

    About 40 years ago, it was shown that tungsten carbide exhibits similar catalytic behavior to Pt for certain commercially relevant reactions, thereby suggesting the possibility of cheaper and earth-abundant substitutes for costly and rare precious metal catalysts. In this work, reactive magnetron sputtering of Ta in the presence of three model hydrocarbons (2-butanol, heptane, and m-xylene) combined with gas aggregation and ion soft landing was employed to prepare organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) on surfaces for evaluation of catalytic activity and durability. The electrocatalytic behavior of the NPs supported on glassy carbon was evaluated in acidic aqueous solution by cyclic voltammetry. The Ta-heptane and Ta-xylene NPs were revealed to be active and robust toward promotion of the oxygen reduction reaction, an important process occurring at the cathode in fuel cells. In comparison, pure Ta and Ta-butanol NPs were essentially unreactive. Characterization techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to probe how different sputtering conditions such as the flow rates of gases, sputtering current, and aggregation length affect the properties of the NPs. AFM images reveal the focused size of the NPs as well as their preferential binding along the step edges of graphite surfaces. In comparison, TEM images of the same NPs on carbon grids show that they bind randomly to the surface with some agglomeration but little coalescence. The TEM images also reveal morphologies with crystalline cores surrounded by amorphous regions for NPs formed in the presence of 2-butanol and heptane. In contrast, NPs formed in the presence of m-xylene are amorphous throughout. XPS spectra indicate that while the percentage of Ta, C, and O in the NPs varies depending on the sputtering conditions and hydrocarbon employed, the electron binding energies of the elements are similar for

  6. Oxidation Resitant HfC-TaC Rocket Thruster for High Performance Propellants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Patterson, Mark

    1999-01-01

    The purpose of this reasearch effort was to develop high temperature, oxidation resistant thrusters which would lessen the thruster cooling requirements, resulting in increased performance and longer life for onboard propulsion systems for spacecraft. This research effort focussed on developing ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for this application, and specifically investigated the use of HfC stabilized with TaC. This material composition can potentially operate in a stoichiometric oxygen to hydrogen ratio at a temperature of 5000 deg F (2760 deg C) in a radiatively cooled mode. Various compositions of Hafnium Carbide (HfC) and Tantalum Carbide (TaC) were deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and tested, in an attempt to identify the composition which offered the best oxidation resistance. Although it was identified that small amounts of TaC appeared to offer improved oxidation resistance over HfC alone, an optimal composition was not identified. A 251bf thruster was fabricated from a novel CMC sandwich construction with a HfC-TaC matrix, and survived two test firings, each of 5 seconds before a failure in the injector caused the run to be aborted. It was not possible to control the relative stoichiometry of the HfC and TaC composition throughout the reactor due to the large difference in the thermodynamics of the HfC and TaC formation from their respective chlorides. This also resulted in an inability to infiltrate TaC into the preform under the experimental conditions investigated. Other material compositions were fabricated and tested and two material systems; HfC-SiC functionally graded to C(sub f)/C and Re functionally graded to C(sub f)/C were selected for further testing. These functionally graded composites have use in a number of propulsion applications presently of interest to NASA and the defense industry. Their ability to withstand extremely hostile thermal environments and the light-weight and high-strength exhibited from the C(sub f

  7. Stability of nano-scaled Ta/Ti multilayers upon argon ion irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milosavljević, M.; Milinović, V.; Peruško, D.; Grce, A.; Stojanović, M.; Pjević, D.; Mitrić, M.; Kovač, J.; Homewood, K. P.

    2011-10-01

    The effects of argon ion irradiation on structural changes in Ta/Ti multilayers deposited on Si wafers were investigated. The starting structures consisted of sputter deposited 10 alternate Ta (˜23 nm) and Ti (˜17 nm) layers of a total thickness ˜200 nm. They were irradiated at room temperature with 200 keV Ar +, to the fluences from 5 × 10 15 to 2 × 10 16 ions/cm 2. The projected ion range was around mid-depth of the multilayered structure, and maximum displacements per atom ˜130. It was found that, despite of the relatively heavy ion irradiation, individual nanocrystalline Ta and Ti layers remain unmixed, keeping the same level of interface planarity. The changes observed in the mostly affected region are increase in lateral dimensions of crystal grains in individual layers, and incorporation of bubbles and defects that cause some stretching of the crystal lattice. Absence of interlayer mixing is assigned to Ta-Ti immiscibility (reaction enthalpy Δ H f = +2 kJ/mol). It is estimated that up to ˜5 at.% interface mixing induced directly by collision cascades could be compensated by dynamic demixing due to chemical driving forces in the temperature relaxation regime. The results can be interesting towards developing radiation tolerant materials based on multilayered structures.

  8. Oral tranexamic acid (TA) in the treatment of melasma: A retrospective analysis.

    PubMed

    Lee, Hwee Chyen; Thng, Tien Guan Steven; Goh, Chee Leok

    2016-08-01

    Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder among Asians and treatment is challenging. Oral tranexamic acid (TA) has emerged as a potential treatment for refractory melasma. Large-scale studies on its use, outcomes, and safety are limited. We sought to evaluate treatment outcomes and adverse effects of oral TA in melasma in an Asian population. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who received oral TA for melasma in a tertiary dermatologic center from January 2010 to June 2014. In all, 561 patients (91.4% female, 8.6% male) were enrolled. Median duration of treatment was 4 months. The majority (503 [89.7%]) improved, 56 (10.0%) had no improvement, and 2 (0.4%) worsened. Patients without family history of melasma had better response rates than those with family history (90.6% vs 60.0%, P = .01). Of the 503 who improved, response was seen within 2 months of TA initiation, with a relapse rate of 27.2%. Adverse events occurred in 40 (7.1%). Most were transient, but 1 developed deep vein thrombosis requiring prompt discontinuation. She was later given the diagnosis of familial protein S deficiency. This was a retrospective study. Oral TA may be an effective adjunct for refractory melasma. Careful screening for personal and familial risk factors for thromboembolism should be done before initiation. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Post-Mission Assessment for Tactical Training-Trends Analysis (PMATT-TA): Usability Analysis Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-07-01

    information, PMATT-TA also supports data calls to understand fleet readiness and proficiency. Additionally, PMATT-TA addresses a need for a digitally based...Software Quality Journal, 4(2), 115-130. Gray, W. D., & Salzman, M. C. (1998). Damaged merchandise ? A review of experiments that compare usability

  10. Influence of inserted Mo layer on the thermal stability of perpendicularly magnetized Ta/Mo/Co{sub 20}Fe{sub 60}B{sub 20}/MgO/Ta films

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Minghua, E-mail: mhli@ustb.edu.cn; Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095; Lu, Jinhui

    2016-04-15

    We studied the thermal stability of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in Ta/Mo/CoFeB/MgO/Ta films with and without inserted Mo layers. In the absence of a Mo layer, the films show PMA at annealing temperatures below 300 °C. On the other hand, the insertion of a Mo layer preserves PMA at annealing temperatures of up to 500 °C; however, a higher annealing temperature leads to the collapse of PMA. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to study the microstructure of the films to understand the deterioration of PMA. The XPS results show that the segregation ofmore » Ta is partly suppressed by inserting a Mo layer. Once inserted, Mo does not remain at the interface of Ta and CoFeB but migrates to the surface of the films. The HRTEM results show that the crystallization of the MgO (001) texture is improved owing to the higher annealing temperature of the Mo inserted sample. A smooth and clear CoFeB/MgO interface is evident. The inserted Mo layer not only helps to obtain sharper and smoother interfaces but also contributes to the crystallization after the higher annealing temperature of films.« less

  11. Asymmetric interaction of point defects and heterophase interfaces in ZrN/TaN multilayered nanofilms.

    PubMed

    Lao, Yuanxia; Hu, Shuanglin; Shi, Yunlong; Deng, Yu; Wang, Fei; Du, Hao; Zhang, Haibing; Wang, Yuan

    2017-01-05

    Materials with a high density of heterophase interfaces, which are capable of absorbing and annihilating radiation-induced point defects, can exhibit a superior radiation tolerance. In this paper, we investigated the interaction behaviors of point defects and heterophase interfaces by implanting helium atoms into the ZrN/TaN multilayered nanofilms. It was found that the point defect-interface interaction on the two sides of the ZrN/TaN interface was asymmetric, likely due to the difference in the vacancy formation energies of ZrN and TaN. The helium bubbles could migrate from the ZrN layers into the TaN layers through the heterophase interfaces, resulting in a better crystallinity of the ZrN layers and a complete amorphization of the TaN layers. The findings provided some clues to the fundamental behaviors of point defects near the heterophase interfaces, which make us re-examine the design rules of advanced radiation-tolerant materials.

  12. Asymmetric interaction of point defects and heterophase interfaces in ZrN/TaN multilayered nanofilms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lao, Yuanxia; Hu, Shuanglin; Shi, Yunlong; Deng, Yu; Wang, Fei; Du, Hao; Zhang, Haibing; Wang, Yuan

    2017-01-01

    Materials with a high density of heterophase interfaces, which are capable of absorbing and annihilating radiation-induced point defects, can exhibit a superior radiation tolerance. In this paper, we investigated the interaction behaviors of point defects and heterophase interfaces by implanting helium atoms into the ZrN/TaN multilayered nanofilms. It was found that the point defect-interface interaction on the two sides of the ZrN/TaN interface was asymmetric, likely due to the difference in the vacancy formation energies of ZrN and TaN. The helium bubbles could migrate from the ZrN layers into the TaN layers through the heterophase interfaces, resulting in a better crystallinity of the ZrN layers and a complete amorphization of the TaN layers. The findings provided some clues to the fundamental behaviors of point defects near the heterophase interfaces, which make us re-examine the design rules of advanced radiation-tolerant materials.

  13. Asymmetric interaction of point defects and heterophase interfaces in ZrN/TaN multilayered nanofilms

    PubMed Central

    Lao, Yuanxia; Hu, Shuanglin; Shi, Yunlong; Deng, Yu; Wang, Fei; Du, Hao; Zhang, Haibing; Wang, Yuan

    2017-01-01

    Materials with a high density of heterophase interfaces, which are capable of absorbing and annihilating radiation-induced point defects, can exhibit a superior radiation tolerance. In this paper, we investigated the interaction behaviors of point defects and heterophase interfaces by implanting helium atoms into the ZrN/TaN multilayered nanofilms. It was found that the point defect-interface interaction on the two sides of the ZrN/TaN interface was asymmetric, likely due to the difference in the vacancy formation energies of ZrN and TaN. The helium bubbles could migrate from the ZrN layers into the TaN layers through the heterophase interfaces, resulting in a better crystallinity of the ZrN layers and a complete amorphization of the TaN layers. The findings provided some clues to the fundamental behaviors of point defects near the heterophase interfaces, which make us re-examine the design rules of advanced radiation-tolerant materials. PMID:28053307

  14. The preferential orientation and lattice misfit of the directionally solidified Fe-Al-Ta eutectic composite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cui, Chunjuan; Wang, Pei; Yang, Meng; Wen, Yagang; Ren, Chiqiang; Wang, Songyuan

    2018-01-01

    Fe-Al intermetallic compound has been paid more attentions recently in many fields such as aeronautic, aerospace, automobile, energy and chemical engineering, and so on. In this paper Fe-Al-Ta eutectic was prepared by a modified Bridgman directional solidification technique, and it is found that microstructure of the Fe-Al-Ta eutectic alloy transforms from the broken-lamellar eutectic to cellular eutectic with the increase of the solidification rate. In the cellular eutectic structure, the fibers are parallel to each other within the same grain, but some fibers are deviated from the original orientation at the grain boundaries. To study the crystallographic orientation relationship (OR) between the two phases, the preferential orientation of the Fe-Al-Ta eutectic alloy at the different solidification rates was studied by Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). Moreover, the lattice misfit between Fe2Ta(Al) Laves phase and Fe(Al,Ta) matrix phase was calculated.

  15. Constitutive overexpression of the TaNF-YB4 gene in transgenic wheat significantly improves grain yield

    PubMed Central

    Yadav, Dinesh; Shavrukov, Yuri; Bazanova, Natalia; Chirkova, Larissa; Borisjuk, Nikolai; Kovalchuk, Nataliya; Ismagul, Ainur; Parent, Boris; Langridge, Peter; Hrmova, Maria; Lopato, Sergiy

    2015-01-01

    Heterotrimeric nuclear factors Y (NF-Ys) are involved in regulation of various vital functions in all eukaryotic organisms. Although a number of NF-Y subunits have been characterized in model plants, only a few have been functionally evaluated in crops. In this work, a number of genes encoding NF-YB and NF-YC subunits were isolated from drought-tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. RAC875), and the impact of the overexpression of TaNF-YB4 in the Australian wheat cultivar Gladius was investigated. TaNF-YB4 was isolated as a result of two consecutive yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screens, where ZmNF-YB2a was used as a starting bait. A new NF-YC subunit, designated TaNF-YC15, was isolated in the first Y2H screen and used as bait in a second screen, which identified two wheat NF-YB subunits, TaNF-YB2 and TaNF-YB4. Three-dimensional modelling of a TaNF-YB2/TaNF-YC15 dimer revealed structural determinants that may underlie interaction selectivity. The TaNF-YB4 gene was placed under the control of the strong constitutive polyubiquitin promoter from maize and introduced into wheat by biolistic bombardment. The growth and yield components of several independent transgenic lines with up-regulated levels of TaNF-YB4 were evaluated under well-watered conditions (T1–T3 generations) and under mild drought (T2 generation). Analysis of T2 plants was performed in large deep containers in conditions close to field trials. Under optimal watering conditions, transgenic wheat plants produced significantly more spikes but other yield components did not change. This resulted in a 20–30% increased grain yield compared with untransformed control plants. Under water-limited conditions transgenic lines maintained parity in yield performance. PMID:26220082

  16. The Novel Wheat Transcription Factor TaNAC47 Enhances Multiple Abiotic Stress Tolerances in Transgenic Plants

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Lina; Zhang, Lichao; Xia, Chuan; Zhao, Guangyao; Jia, Jizeng; Kong, Xiuying

    2016-01-01

    NAC transcription factors play diverse roles in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the biological roles of NAC family members in wheat are not well understood. Here, we reported the isolation and functional characterization of a novel wheat TaNAC47 gene. TaNAC47 encoded protein, localizing in the nucleus, is able to bind to the ABRE cis-element and transactivate transcription in yeast, suggesting that it likely functions as a transcriptional activator. We also showed that TaNAC47 is differentially expressed in different tissues, and its expression was induced by the stress treatments of salt, cold, polyethylene glycol and exogenous abscisic acid. Furthermore, overexpression of TaNAC47 in Arabidopsis resulted in ABA hypersensitivity and enhancing tolerance of transgenic plants to drought, salt, and freezing stresses. Strikingly, overexpression of TaNAC47 was found to activate the expression of downstream genes and change several physiological indices that may enable transgenic plants to overcome unfavorable environments. Taken together, these results uncovered an important role of wheat TaNAC47 gene in response to ABA and abiotic stresses. PMID:26834757

  17. The Novel Wheat Transcription Factor TaNAC47 Enhances Multiple Abiotic Stress Tolerances in Transgenic Plants.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Lina; Zhang, Lichao; Xia, Chuan; Zhao, Guangyao; Jia, Jizeng; Kong, Xiuying

    2015-01-01

    NAC transcription factors play diverse roles in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the biological roles of NAC family members in wheat are not well understood. Here, we reported the isolation and functional characterization of a novel wheat TaNAC47 gene. TaNAC47 encoded protein, localizing in the nucleus, is able to bind to the ABRE cis-element and transactivate transcription in yeast, suggesting that it likely functions as a transcriptional activator. We also showed that TaNAC47 is differentially expressed in different tissues, and its expression was induced by the stress treatments of salt, cold, polyethylene glycol and exogenous abscisic acid. Furthermore, overexpression of TaNAC47 in Arabidopsis resulted in ABA hypersensitivity and enhancing tolerance of transgenic plants to drought, salt, and freezing stresses. Strikingly, overexpression of TaNAC47 was found to activate the expression of downstream genes and change several physiological indices that may enable transgenic plants to overcome unfavorable environments. Taken together, these results uncovered an important role of wheat TaNAC47 gene in response to ABA and abiotic stresses.

  18. Photoluminescence of Ta2O5 films formed by the molecular layer deposition method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baraban, A. P.; Dmitriev, V. A.; Prokof'ev, V. A.; Drozd, V. E.; Filatova, E. O.

    2016-04-01

    Ta2O5 films of different thicknesses (20-100 nm) synthesized by the molecular layer deposition method on p-type silicon substrates and thermally oxidized silicon substrates have been studied by the methods of high-frequency capacitance-voltage characteristics and photoluminescence. A hole-conduction channel is found to form in the Si-Ta2O5-field electrode system. A model of the electronic structure of Ta2O5 films is proposed based on an analysis of the measured PL spectra and performed electrical investigations.

  19. Measurement of the natHf(d,x)177Ta cross section and impact of erroneous gamma-ray intensities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Simonelli, F.; Abbas, K.; Bulgheroni, A.; Pommé, S.; Altzitzoglou, T.; Suliman, G.

    2012-08-01

    In this work, excitation functions for deuteron-induced reactions on natural hafnium have been measured in the energy range 7-17 MeV, using the stacked-foil technique. Particular attention has been paid to the reaction natHf(d,x)177Ta, because reported γ-ray intensities have been found to be in disagreement with previously published data. This discrepancy is due to an error in the 2003 ENSDF absolute γ-ray intensities of 177Hf following the decay of 177Ta, which are about a factor of three higher compared to other available data. As a consquence, some peer reviewed papers reporting on natHf(d,x)177Ta, and also on natHf(p,x) 177Ta and natW(p,x) 177Ta, need to be reviewed. An upcoming re-evaluation of the 177Ta decay data shows new significant changes in the absolute γ-ray intensities, which in turn will affect again the 177Ta producing cross sections.

  20. Glass Forming Ability in the Equilibrium Immiscible Ag-Ta System Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Ion Beam Mixing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Man; Dai, Xiaodong; Shen, Yixiong; Liu, Baixin

    2008-07-01

    For the equilibrium immiscible Ag-Ta system characterized by a positive heat of formation of +23 kJ/mol, a proved realistic extended Finnis-Sinclair potential is applied to study the crystal-to-amorphous transition through molecular dynamics simulations and a glass-forming range (GFR) of the Ag-Ta system is determined to be from 10 to 80 at. % of Ta, within which a disordered state is energetically favored than its crystalline counterpart of solid solution. In experiment, the uniform amorphous phases are indeed obtained, by ion beam mixing of far-from-equilibrium, in the Ag38Ta62, Ag30Ta70 and Ag20Ta80 Ag-Ta multilayered films, which fall within the GFR and thus confirm the relevance of the calculated GFR of the system.

  1. 41 CFR 302-2.104 - What information must we provide on the TA?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Regulation System RELOCATION ALLOWANCES INTRODUCTION 2-EMPLOYEES ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Agency Responsibilities § 302-2.104 What information must we provide on the TA? On the TA, you must state the: (a... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What information must we...

  2. Statistical inference of selection and divergence of rice blast resistance gene Pi-ta

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The resistance gene Pi-ta has been effectively used to control rice blast disease worldwide. A few recent studies have described the possible evolution of Pi-ta in cultivated and weedy rice. However, evolutionary statistics used for the studies are too limited to precisely understand selection and d...

  3. Partial nitrogen loss in SrTaO2N and LaTiO2N oxynitride perovskites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Daixi; Habu, Daiki; Masubuchi, Yuji; Torii, Shuki; Kamiyama, Takashi; Kikkawa, Shinichi

    2016-04-01

    SrTaO2N heated in a helium atmosphere began to release nitrogen of approximately 30 at% at 950 °C while maintaining the perovskite structure and its color changed from orange to dark green. Then it decomposed above 1200 °C to a black mixture of Sr1.4Ta0.6O2.73, Ta2N, and Sr5Ta4O15. The second decomposition was not clearly observed when SrTaO2N was heated in a nitrogen atmosphere below 1550 °C. After heating at 1500 °C for 3 h under a 0.2 MPa nitrogen atmosphere, the perovskite product became dark green and conductive. Structure refinement results suggested that the product was a mixture of tetragonal and cubic perovskites with a decreased ordering of N3-/O2-. The sintered body was changed to an n-type semiconductor after a partial loss of nitrogen to be reduced from the originally insulating SrTaO2N perovskite lattice. LaTiO2N was confirmed to have a similar cis-configuration of the TiO4N2 octahedron as that of TaO4N2 in SrTaO2N. It also released some of its nitrogen at 800 °C changing its color from brown to black and then decomposed to a mixture of LaTiO3, La2O3, and TiN at 1100 °C. These temperatures are lower than those in SrTaO2N.

  4. Identification of interacting proteins of the TaFVE protein involved in spike development in bread wheat.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Yong-Sheng; Lu, Yu-Qing; Meng, Ying-Ying; Zhang, Rong-Zhi; Zhang, Han; Sun, Jia-Mei; Wang, Mu-Mu; Li, Li-Hui; Li, Ru-Yu

    2017-05-01

    WD-40 repeat-containing protein MSI4 (FVE)/MSI4 plays important roles in determining flowering time in Arabidopsis. However, its function is unexplored in wheat. In the present study, coimmunoprecipitation and nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled to MS/MS were used to identify FVE in wheat (TaFVE)-interacting or associated proteins. Altogether 89 differentially expressed proteins showed the same downregulated expression trends as TaFVE in wheat line 5660M. Among them, 62 proteins were further predicted to be involved in the interaction network of TaFVE and 11 proteins have been shown to be potential TaFVE interactors based on curated databases and experimentally determined in other species by the STRING. Both yeast two-hybrid assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay showed that histone deacetylase 6 and histone deacetylase 15 directly interacted with TaFVE. Multiple chromatin-remodelling proteins and polycomb group proteins were also identified and predicted to interact with TaFVE. These results showed that TaFVE directly interacted with multiple proteins to form multiple complexes to regulate spike developmental process, e.g. histone deacetylate, chromatin-remodelling and polycomb repressive complex 2 complexes. In addition, multiple flower development regulation factors (e.g. flowering locus K homology domain, flowering time control protein FPA, FY, flowering time control protein FCA, APETALA 1) involved in floral transition were also identified in the present study. Taken together, these results further elucidate the regulatory functions of TaFVE and help reveal the genetic mechanisms underlying wheat spike differentiation. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. Hydrothermal preparation of copper doped NaTaO3 nanoparticles and study on the photocatalytic mechanism.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yulu; Su, Yiguo; Han, Hui; Wang, Xiaojing

    2013-02-01

    Effects of copper cations doping into wide band gap semiconductor photocatalysts of tantalate on morphology, visible light response, and photocatalytic performance were studied. A series of Cu-doped NaTaO3 catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal method. XRD and XPS results suggested that copper were successfully doped into the NaTaO3 nanocrystal in the Cu2+ state. TEM studies showed the formation of the cube shape nanoparticles of NaTaO3 as well as Cu-doped NaTaO3. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra clearly indicated the red-shift in the series of copper doped NaTaO3 catalysts, resulting in a decrease in the band gap of NaTaO3. The trend of red shift was increased with an increase of copper doping concentration, whereas the photo-degradation methylene blue (MB) is not improved by the doping of copper ions. The simulation of energy band structure by density functional theory unfolded that the substitution of Ta5+ ions by Cu2+ ions results in forming an intermediate band (IB) upper the top of the valence band (VB), which is mainly attributed to the state of Cu 3d. The intermediate band is responsible for the red-shift caused by the doping of Cu ions. Meanwhile Cu species can become the recombination centers of photoinduced electrons and holes. Thus, the quickly recombination of e(-)h(+) pairs is one of the most significant factors which deteriorate the photoactivity of Cu-doped NaTaO3.

  6. Recrystallization behavior and thermal shock resistance of the W-1.0 wt% TaC alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Z. M.; Miao, S.; Zhang, T.; Liu, R.; Wang, X. P.; Fang, Q. F.; Hao, T.; Zhuang, Z.; Liu, C. S.; Lian, Y. Y.; Liu, X.; Cai, L. H.

    2018-04-01

    The high-temperature stability and good mechanical strength of tungsten (W) alloys are highly desirable for a wide range of fusion applications, which can be achieved by dispersion strengthening. In this paper, TaC dispersion effects on the thermal stabilities, tensile properties and thermal shock resistances have been investigated. A hot-rolled W-1.0 wt% TaC plate has been fabricated which contains the high tensile strength and elongation. Nanosized particles in the W matrix improve the recrystallization temperature to about 1400 °C and the ultimate tensile strength to 571 MPa at 500 °C through hindering grain boundary migration, pinning dislocations and refining grains. The effects of edge-localized mode like transient heat events on the rolled and recrystallized W-1.0 wt% TaC alloys were investigated systematically. The cracking threshold (100 shots) at room temperature is in the range of 0.33-0.44 GW/m2 for the rolled W-1.0 wt% TaC. Recrystallization degrades mechanical strength and makes the material more prone to thermal shock damages. Coarse Ta2O5 and Ta-Cx-Oy particles are easy to fracture and introduce a preferential crack initiation in W matrix during cyclic heat loads.

  7. Superconductivity in Ta3Pd3Te14 with quasi-one-dimensional PdTe2 chains.

    PubMed

    Jiao, Wen-He; He, Lan-Po; Liu, Yi; Xu, Xiao-Feng; Li, Yu-Ke; Zhang, Chu-Hang; Zhou, Nan; Xu, Zhu-An; Li, Shi-Yan; Cao, Guang-Han

    2016-02-15

    We report bulk superconductivity at 1.0 K in a low-dimensional ternary telluride Ta3Pd3Te14 containing edge-sharing PdTe2 chains along crystallographic b axis, similar to the recently discovered superconductor Ta4Pd3Te16. The electronic heat capacity data show an obvious anomaly at the transition temperature, which indicates bulk superconductivity. The specific-heat jump is ΔC/(γ(n)T(c)) ≈ 1.35, suggesting a weak coupling scenario. By measuring the low-temperature thermal conductivity, we conclude that Ta3Pd3Te14 is very likely a dirty s-wave superconductor. The emergence of superconductivity in Ta3Pd3Te14 with a lower T(c), compared to that of Ta4Pd3Te16, may be attributed to the lower density of states.

  8. Large enhancement of the spin Hall effect in Au by side-jump scattering on Ta impurities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Laczkowski, P.; Fu, Y.; Yang, H.; Rojas-Sánchez, J.-C.; Noel, P.; Pham, V. T.; Zahnd, G.; Deranlot, C.; Collin, S.; Bouard, C.; Warin, P.; Maurel, V.; Chshiev, M.; Marty, A.; Attané, J.-P.; Fert, A.; Jaffrès, H.; Vila, L.; George, J.-M.

    2017-10-01

    We present measurements of the spin Hall effect (SHE) in AuW and AuTa alloys for a large range of W or Ta concentrations by combining experiments on lateral spin valves and ferromagnetic-resonance/spin-pumping techniques. The main result is the identification of a large enhancement of the spin Hall angle (SHA) by the side-jump mechanism on Ta impurities, with a SHA as high as +0.5 (i.e., 50 % ) for about 10% of Ta. In contrast, the SHA in AuW does not exceed +0.15 and can be explained by intrinsic SHE of the alloy without significant extrinsic contribution from skew or side-jump scattering by W impurities. The AuTa alloys, as they combine a very large SHA with a moderate resistivity (smaller than 85 μ Ω cm ), are promising for spintronic devices exploiting the SHE.

  9. TA 55 Reinvestment Project II Phase C Update Project Status May 23, 2017

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Giordano, Anthony P.

    The TA-55 Reinvestment Project (TRP) II Phase C is a critical infrastructure project focused on improving safety and reliability of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) TA-55 Complex. The Project recapitalizes and revitalizes aging and obsolete facility and safety systems providing a sustainable nuclear facility for National Security Missions.

  10. TaDb: A time-aware diffusion-based recommender algorithm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Wen-Jun; Xu, Yuan-Yuan; Dong, Qiang; Zhou, Jun-Lin; Fu, Yan

    2015-02-01

    Traditional recommender algorithms usually employ the early and recent records indiscriminately, which overlooks the change of user interests over time. In this paper, we show that the interests of a user remain stable in a short-term interval and drift during a long-term period. Based on this observation, we propose a time-aware diffusion-based (TaDb) recommender algorithm, which assigns different temporal weights to the leading links existing before the target user's collection and the following links appearing after that in the diffusion process. Experiments on four real datasets, Netflix, MovieLens, FriendFeed and Delicious show that TaDb algorithm significantly improves the prediction accuracy compared with the algorithms not considering temporal effects.

  11. Effect of a CoFeB layer on the anisotropic magnetoresistance of Ta/CoFeB/MgO/NiFe/MgO/CoFeB/Ta films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Minghua; Shi, Hui; Dong, Yuegang; Ding, Lei; Han, Gang; Zhang, Yao; Liu, Ye; Yu, Guanghua

    2017-10-01

    The anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) and magnetic properties of NiFe films can be remarkably enhanced via CoFeB layer. In the case of an ultrathin NiFe film having a Ta/CoFeB/MgO/NiFe/MgO/CoFeB/Ta structure, the CoFeB/MgO layers suppressed the formation of magnetic dead layers and the interdiffusions and interface reactions between the NiFe and Ta layers. The AMR reached a maximum value of 3.56% at 450 °C. More importantly, a single NiFe (1 1 1) peak can be formed resulting in higher AMR values for films having CoFeB layer. This enhanced AMR also originated from the significant specular reflection of electrons owing to the crystalline MgO layer, together with the sharp interfaces with the NiFe layer. These factors together resulted in higher AMR and improved magnetic properties.

  12. Two-stage synergy of electronic energy loss with defects in LiTaO 3 under ion irradiation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sellami, Neila; Crespillo, Miguel L.; Zhang, Yanwen

    Understanding energy dissipation in electronic and atomic subsystems and subsequent defect evolution is a scientific challenge. Separate and combined effects of electronic and nuclear energy deposition in z-cut LiTaO 3 have been investigated. Irradiation of pristine LiTaO 3 samples with 2 MeV Ta ions leads to amorphization due to atomic displacement damage, described by a disorder accumulation model. Here, while 21 MeV Si ions do not produce significant damage in pristine LiTaO 3, introduction of pre-existing defects sensitizes LiTaO 3 to the formation of ion tracks from the electronic energy loss by 21 MeV Si ions that induce a synergisticmore » two-stage phase transition process.« less

  13. Two-stage synergy of electronic energy loss with defects in LiTaO 3 under ion irradiation

    DOE PAGES

    Sellami, Neila; Crespillo, Miguel L.; Zhang, Yanwen; ...

    2018-03-27

    Understanding energy dissipation in electronic and atomic subsystems and subsequent defect evolution is a scientific challenge. Separate and combined effects of electronic and nuclear energy deposition in z-cut LiTaO 3 have been investigated. Irradiation of pristine LiTaO 3 samples with 2 MeV Ta ions leads to amorphization due to atomic displacement damage, described by a disorder accumulation model. Here, while 21 MeV Si ions do not produce significant damage in pristine LiTaO 3, introduction of pre-existing defects sensitizes LiTaO 3 to the formation of ion tracks from the electronic energy loss by 21 MeV Si ions that induce a synergisticmore » two-stage phase transition process.« less

  14. The Electrochemical Behavior of Mo-Ta Alloy in Phosphoric Acid Solution for TFT-LCD Application.

    PubMed

    Lee, Sang-Hyuk; Kim, Byoung O; Seo, Jong Hyun

    2015-10-01

    Molybdenum-tantalum alloy thin film is a suitable material for the higher corrosion resistance and low resistivity for gate and data metal lines. In this study, Mo-Ta alloy thin films were prepared by using a DC magnetron co-sputtering system on a glass substrate. An abrupt increase in the etching rates of low Mo-Ta alloys was observed. From the observed impedance analysis, the defect densities in the MoTa oxide films increased from 5.4 x 10(21) (cm(-3)) to 8.02 x 10(21) (cm(-3)) up to the 6 at% of tantalum level; and above the 6 at% of tantalum level, the defect densities decreased. This electrochemical behavior is explained by the mechanical instability of the MoTa oxide film.

  15. Transapical access closure: the TA PLUG device†

    PubMed Central

    Brinks, Henriette; Nietlispach, Fabian; Göber, Volkhard; Englberger, Lars; Wenaweser, Peter; Meier, Bernhard; Carrel, Thierry; Huber, Christoph

    2013-01-01

    OBJECTIVES Percutaneous closure of the transapical (TA) access site for large-calibre devices is an unsolved issue. We report the first experimental data on the TA PLUG device for true-percutaneous closure following large apical access for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. METHODS The TA PLUG, a self-sealing full-core closure device, was implanted in an acute animal study in six pigs (60.2 ± 0.7 kg). All the pigs received 100 IU/kg of heparin. The targeted activated clotting time was left to normalize spontaneously. After accessing the left ventricular apex with a 39 French introducer, the closure plug device was delivered with a 33 French over-the-wire system under fluoroscopic guidance into the apex. Time to full haemostasis as well as rate of bleeding was recorded. Self-anchoring properties were assessed by haemodynamic push stress under adrenalin challenge. An additional feasibility study was conducted in four pigs (58.4 ± 1.1 kg) with full surgical exposure of the apex, and assessed device anchoring by pull-force measurements with 0.5 Newton (N) increments. All the animals were electively sacrified. Post-mortem analysis of the heart was performed and the renal embolic index assessed. RESULTS Of six apical closure devices, five were correctly inserted and fully deployed at the first attempt. One became blocked in the delivery system and was placed successfully at the second attempt. In all the animals, complete haemostasis was immediate and no leak was recorded during the 5-h observation period. Neither leak nor any device dislodgement was observed under haemodynamic push stress with repeated left ventricular peak pressure of up to 220 mmHg. In the feasibility study assessing pull-stressing, device migration occurred at a force of 3.3 ± 0.5 N corresponding to 247.5 mmHg. Post-mortem analyses confirmed full expansion of all devices at the intended target. No macroscopic damage was identified at the surrounding myocardium. The renal embolic index was

  16. Flux-mediated syntheses, structural characterization and low-temperature polymorphism of the p-type semiconductor Cu2Ta4O11

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    King, Nacole; Sullivan, Ian; Watkins-Curry, Pilanda; Chan, Julia Y.; Maggard, Paul A.

    2016-04-01

    A new low-temperature polymorph of the copper(I)-tantalate, α-Cu2Ta4O11, has been synthesized in a molten CuCl-flux reaction at 665 °C for 1 h and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinements (space group Cc (#9), a=10.734(1) Å, b = 6.2506(3) Å, c=12.887(1) Å, β = 106.070(4)°). The α-Cu2Ta4O11 phase is a lower-symmetry monoclinic polymorph of the rhombohedral Cu2Ta4O11 structure (i.e., β-Cu2Ta4O11 space group R 3 ̅ c (#167), a = 6.2190(2) Å, c=37.107(1) Å), and related crystallographically by ahex=amono/√3, bhex=bmono, and chex=3cmonosinβmono. Its structure is similar to the rhombohedral β-Cu2Ta4O11 and is composed of single layers of highly-distorted and edge-shared TaO7 and TaO6 polyhedra alternating with layers of nearly linearly-coordinated Cu(I) cations and isolated TaO6 octahedra. Temperature dependent powder X-ray diffraction data show the α-Cu2Ta4O11 phase is relatively stable under vacuum at 223 K and 298 K, but reversibly transforms to β-Cu2Ta4O11 by at least 523 K and higher temperatures. The symmetry-lowering distortions from β-Cu2Ta4O11 to α-Cu2Ta4O11 arise from the out-of-center displacements of the Ta 5d0 cations in the TaO7 pentagonal bipyramids. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum of the monoclinic α-Cu2Ta4O11 shows an indirect bandgap transition of ∼2.6 eV, with the higher-energy direct transitions starting at ∼2.7 eV. Photoelectrochemical measurements on polycrystalline films of α-Cu2Ta4O11 show strong cathodic photocurrents of ∼1.5 mA/cm2 under AM 1.5 G solar irradiation.

  17. Functional Analysis and Marker Development of TaCRT-D Gene in Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

    PubMed

    Wang, Jiping; Li, Runzhi; Mao, Xinguo; Jing, Ruilian

    2017-01-01

    Calreticulin (CRT), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized Ca 2+ -binding/buffering protein, is highly conserved and extensively expressed in animal and plant cells. To understand the function of CRTs in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), particularly their roles in stress tolerance, we cloned the full-length genomic sequence of the TaCRT-D isoform from D genome of common hexaploid wheat, and characterized its function by transgenic Arabidopsis system. TaCRT-D exhibited different expression patterns in wheat seedling under different abiotic stresses. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing ORF of TaCRT-D displayed more tolerance to drought, cold, salt, mannitol, and other abiotic stresses at both seed germination and seedling stages, compared with the wild-type controls. Furthermore, DNA polymorphism analysis and gene mapping were employed to develop the functional markers of this gene for marker-assistant selection in wheat breeding program. One SNP, S440 (T→C) was detected at the TaCRT-D locus by genotyping a wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (114 lines) developed from Opata 85 × W7984. The TaCRT-D was then fine mapped between markers Xgwm645 and Xgwm664 on chromosome 3DL, corresponding to genetic distances of 3.5 and 4.4 cM, respectively, using the RIL population and Chinese Spring nulli-tetrasomic lines. Finally, the genome-specific and allele-specific markers were developed for the TaCRT-D gene. These findings indicate that TaCRT-D function importantly in plant stress responses, providing a gene target for genetic engineering to increase plant stress tolerance and the functional markers of TaCRT-D for marker-assistant selection in wheat breeding.

  18. Functional Analysis and Marker Development of TaCRT-D Gene in Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Jiping; Li, Runzhi; Mao, Xinguo; Jing, Ruilian

    2017-01-01

    Calreticulin (CRT), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized Ca2+-binding/buffering protein, is highly conserved and extensively expressed in animal and plant cells. To understand the function of CRTs in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), particularly their roles in stress tolerance, we cloned the full-length genomic sequence of the TaCRT-D isoform from D genome of common hexaploid wheat, and characterized its function by transgenic Arabidopsis system. TaCRT-D exhibited different expression patterns in wheat seedling under different abiotic stresses. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing ORF of TaCRT-D displayed more tolerance to drought, cold, salt, mannitol, and other abiotic stresses at both seed germination and seedling stages, compared with the wild-type controls. Furthermore, DNA polymorphism analysis and gene mapping were employed to develop the functional markers of this gene for marker-assistant selection in wheat breeding program. One SNP, S440 (T→C) was detected at the TaCRT-D locus by genotyping a wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (114 lines) developed from Opata 85 × W7984. The TaCRT-D was then fine mapped between markers Xgwm645 and Xgwm664 on chromosome 3DL, corresponding to genetic distances of 3.5 and 4.4 cM, respectively, using the RIL population and Chinese Spring nulli-tetrasomic lines. Finally, the genome-specific and allele-specific markers were developed for the TaCRT-D gene. These findings indicate that TaCRT-D function importantly in plant stress responses, providing a gene target for genetic engineering to increase plant stress tolerance and the functional markers of TaCRT-D for marker-assistant selection in wheat breeding. PMID:28955354

  19. Double Dirac point semimetal in 2D material: Ta2Se3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Yandong; Jing, Yu; Heine, Thomas

    2017-06-01

    Here, we report by first-principles calculations one new stable 2D Dirac material, Ta2Se3 monolayer. For this system, stable layered bulk phase exists, and exfoliation should be possible. Ta2Se3 monolayer is demonstrated to support two Dirac points close to the Fermi level, achieving the exotic 2D double Dirac semimetal. And like 2D single Dirac and 2D node-line semimetals, spin-orbit coupling could introduce an insulating state in this new class of 2D Dirac semimetals. Moreover, the Dirac feature in this system is layer-dependent and a metal-to-insulator transition is identified in Ta2Se3 when reducing the layer-thickness from bilayer to monolayer. These findings are of fundamental interests and of great importance for nanoscale device applications.

  20. Thermal, optical, and dielectric properties of fluoride Rb2TaF7

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pogorel'tsev, E. I.; Mel'nikova, S. V.; Kartashev, A. V.; Gorev, M. V.; Flerov, I. N.; Laptash, N. M.

    2017-05-01

    The thermal, optical, and dielectric properties of fluoride Rb2TaF7 were investigated. It was observed that the variation in chemical pressure in fluorides A 2 +TaF7 caused by the cation substitution of rubidium for ammonium does not affect the ferroelastic nature of structural distortions, but leads to stabilization of the high- and low-temperature phases and enhancement of birefringence. The entropy of the phase transition P4/nmm ↔ Cmma is typical of the shift transformations, which is consistent with a model of the initial and distorted phase structures. The anisotropy of chemical pressure causes the change of signs of the anomalous strain and baric coefficient dT/ dp of Rb2TaF7 as compared with the values for its ammonium analog.

  1. Antidamping spin-orbit torques in epitaxial-Py(100)/β-Ta

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tiwari, Dhananjay; Behera, Nilamani; Kumar, Akash; Dürrenfeld, Philipp; Chaudhary, Sujeet; Pandya, D. K.; Åkerman, Johan; Muduli, P. K.

    2017-12-01

    We perform spin torque ferromagnetic resonance measurements on the Si(100)/TiN(100)/epi-Py(100)/β-Ta system. We demonstrate current induced modulation of the Gilbert damping constant, which is about 30% for a current density of 6.25 × 109 A/m2. We show that the observed modulation of the Gilbert damping constant cannot be explained by spin transfer torques arising from the spin Hall effect of the β-Ta layer. An additional mechanism such as antidamping spin-orbit torque resulting from the interface or the crystalline structure of Py thin films needs to be considered.

  2. Peculiarities of structure formation of layered metal-oxide system Ti-Ta-(Ti,Ta)xOy during electro-spark alloying and thermally stimulated modification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fomina, Marina A.; Koshuro, Vladimir A.; Fomin, Aleksandr A.; Rodionov, Igor V.; Skaptsov, Aleksandr A.; Zakharevich, Andrey M.; Aman, Alexander; Oseev, Aleksandr; Hirsch, Soeren; Majcherek, Soeren

    2016-04-01

    The study focuses on high-performance combined electro-spark alloying of titanium and titanium alloy (VT1-0, VT16) surface and porous matrix structure oxidation. The metal-oxide coatings morphology is the result of melt drop transfer, heat treatment, and oxidation. The study establishes the influence of technological regimes of alloying and oxidation on morphological heterogeneity of biocompatible layered metal-oxide system Ti-Ta-(Ti,Ta)xOy. It was found that during electro-spark alloying the concentration of tantalum on the titanium surface ranges from 0.1 to 3.2 at.%. Morphology of the deposited splats is represented by uniformly grown crystals of titanium and tantalum oxides, which increase from nano- to submicron size.

  3. Impact of oxygen stoichiometry on electroforming and multiple switching modes in TiN/TaOx/Pt based ReRAM

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sharath, S. U.; Joseph, M. J.; Vogel, S.; Hildebrandt, E.; Komissinskiy, P.; Kurian, J.; Schroeder, T.; Alff, L.

    2016-10-01

    We have investigated the material and electrical properties of tantalum oxide thin films (TaOx) with engineered oxygen contents grown by RF-plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The optical bandgap and the density of the TaOx films change consistently with oxygen contents in the range of 3.63 to 4.66 eV and 12.4 to 9.0 g/cm3, respectively. When exposed to atmosphere, an oxidized Ta2O5-y surface layer forms with a maximal thickness of 1.2 nm depending on the initial oxygen deficiency of the film. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies show that multiple sub-stoichiometric compositions occur in oxygen deficient TaOx thin films, where all valence states of Ta including metallic Ta are possible. Devices of the form Pt/Ta2O5-y/TaOx/TiN exhibit highly tunable forming voltages of 10.5 V to 1.5 V with decreasing oxygen contents in TaOx. While a stable bipolar resistive switching (BRS) occurs in all devices irrespective of oxygen content, unipolar switching was found to coexist with BRS only at higher oxygen contents, which transforms to a threshold switching behaviour in the devices grown under highest oxidation.

  4. Resistive Switching of Ta2O5-Based Self-Rectifying Vertical-Type Resistive Switching Memory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ryu, Sungyeon; Kim, Seong Keun; Choi, Byung Joon

    2018-01-01

    To efficiently increase the capacity of resistive switching random-access memory (RRAM) while maintaining the same area, a vertical structure similar to a vertical NAND flash structure is needed. In addition, the sneak-path current through the half-selected neighboring memory cell should be mitigated by integrating a selector device with each RRAM cell. In this study, an integrated vertical-type RRAM cell and selector device was fabricated and characterized. Ta2O5 as the switching layer and TaOxNy as the selector layer were used to preliminarily study the feasibility of such an integrated device. To make the side contact of the bottom electrode with active layers, a thick Al2O3 insulating layer was placed between the Pt bottom electrode and the Ta2O5/TaOxNy stacks. Resistive switching phenomena were observed under relatively low currents (below 10 μA) in this vertical-type RRAM device. The TaOxNy layer acted as a nonlinear resistor with moderate nonlinearity. Its low-resistance-state and high-resistance-state were well retained up to 1000 s.

  5. Pentacene-based low voltage organic field-effect transistors with anodized Ta2O5 gate dielectric

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jeong, Yeon Taek; Dodabalapur, Ananth

    2007-11-01

    Pentacene-based low voltage organic field-effect transistors were realized using an anodized Ta2O5 gate dielectric. The Ta2O5 gate dielectric layer with a surface roughness of 1.3Å was obtained by anodizing an e-beam evaporated Ta film. The device exhibited values of saturation mobility, threshold voltage, and Ion/Ioff ratio of 0.45cm2/Vs, 0.56V, and 7.5×101, respectively. The gate leakage current was reduced by more than 70% with a hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) treatment on the Ta2O5 layer. The HMDS treatment also resulted in enhanced mobility values and a larger pentacene grain size.

  6. Structure and physical properties of EuTa{sub 2}O{sub 6} tungsten bronze polymorph

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kolodiazhnyi, T., E-mail: kolodiazhnyi.taras@nims.go.jp; Sakurai, H.; Vasylkiv, O.

    A tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) polymorph of EuTa{sub 2}O{sub 6} was prepared and analyzed. EuTa{sub 2}O{sub 6} crystallizes in the centrosymmetric Pnam space group (with unit cell: a = 12.3693, b = 12.4254, and c = 7.7228 Å) isomorphous with orthorhombic β-SrTa{sub 2}O{sub 6}. In contrast to early reports, we see no evidence of deviation from paramagnetic Curie-Weiss behavior among the Eu{sup 2+} 4f{sup 7}spins in EuTa{sub 2}O{sub 6} down to 2 K. Dielectric constant shows a broad peak at ca. 50 K with dielectric dispersion resembling diffuse phase transition. The relaxation time, however, follows a simple (non-freezing) thermally activated process with an activation energy of 92 meV and anmore » attempt frequency of f{sub 0} = 5.79 × 10{sup 12 }Hz. A thermal conductivity of EuTa{sub 2}O{sub 6} shows a low-temperature (T ≈ 30 K) “plateau” region reminiscent of a glass-like behaviour in Nb-based TTB compounds. This behaviour can be attributed to the loosely bound Eu{sup 2+} ions occupying large tricapped trigonal prismatic sites in the EuTa{sub 2}O{sub 6} structure.« less

  7. A magneto-resistance and magnetisation study of TaAs2 semimetal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harimohan, V.; Bharathi, A.; Rajaraman, R.; Sundar, C. S.

    2018-04-01

    Here we report on the magneto-transport and magnetization studies on single crystalline samples of TaAs2. The resistivity versus temperature of the single crystalline sample shows a metallic behavior with a large residual resistivity ratio. The TaAs2 crystal shows large magneto resistance at low temperature, reaching 91000% at 2.5K in a field of 15 T and the resistivity versus temperature shows an upturn at low temperature, when measured with increase in magnetic field. Resistivity and magnetization measurements as a function of magnetic field show characteristic Shubnikov de Haas and de Hass van Alphen oscillations, displaying anisotropy with respect to the crystalline direction. The effective mass and Dingle temperature were estimated from the analysis of the oscillation amplitude as a function of temperature and magnetic field. Negative magneto-resistance was not observed with current parallel to the magnetic field direction, suggesting that TaAs2 is not an archetypical Weyl metal.

  8. Cold crucible levitation melting of biomedical Ti-30 wt%Ta alloy.

    PubMed

    Fukui, H; Yang, W; Yamada, S; Fujishiro, Y; Morita, A; Niinomi, M

    2001-06-01

    Recently, titanium-tantalum alloys have been studied as implant materials for dental and orthopedic surgery. However, titanium and tantalum are difficult to mix by common arc melting and induction melting, because of their high melting point and the marked difference between their densities (Ti: 1,680 degrees C, 4.5 g/cm3, Ta: 2,990 degrees C, 16.6 g/cm3). Thus, the Cold Crucible Levitation Melting (CCLM) method was chosen to produce a Ti-30 wt%Ta binary alloy in the present study. The CCLM furnace, with 1 kg capacity, consisted of a water-cooled crucible comprising oxygen-free high purity copper segments and coils wrapped around the crucible and connected to a frequency inverter power supply. A qualified ingot of 1.0 kg of Ti-30 wt%Ta alloy was obtained. The ingot was characterized from the surface quality, chemical composition distribution and microstructure, and finally the melting process was discussed.

  9. Constitutive overexpression of the TaNF-YB4 gene in transgenic wheat significantly improves grain yield.

    PubMed

    Yadav, Dinesh; Shavrukov, Yuri; Bazanova, Natalia; Chirkova, Larissa; Borisjuk, Nikolai; Kovalchuk, Nataliya; Ismagul, Ainur; Parent, Boris; Langridge, Peter; Hrmova, Maria; Lopato, Sergiy

    2015-11-01

    Heterotrimeric nuclear factors Y (NF-Ys) are involved in regulation of various vital functions in all eukaryotic organisms. Although a number of NF-Y subunits have been characterized in model plants, only a few have been functionally evaluated in crops. In this work, a number of genes encoding NF-YB and NF-YC subunits were isolated from drought-tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. RAC875), and the impact of the overexpression of TaNF-YB4 in the Australian wheat cultivar Gladius was investigated. TaNF-YB4 was isolated as a result of two consecutive yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screens, where ZmNF-YB2a was used as a starting bait. A new NF-YC subunit, designated TaNF-YC15, was isolated in the first Y2H screen and used as bait in a second screen, which identified two wheat NF-YB subunits, TaNF-YB2 and TaNF-YB4. Three-dimensional modelling of a TaNF-YB2/TaNF-YC15 dimer revealed structural determinants that may underlie interaction selectivity. The TaNF-YB4 gene was placed under the control of the strong constitutive polyubiquitin promoter from maize and introduced into wheat by biolistic bombardment. The growth and yield components of several independent transgenic lines with up-regulated levels of TaNF-YB4 were evaluated under well-watered conditions (T1-T3 generations) and under mild drought (T2 generation). Analysis of T2 plants was performed in large deep containers in conditions close to field trials. Under optimal watering conditions, transgenic wheat plants produced significantly more spikes but other yield components did not change. This resulted in a 20-30% increased grain yield compared with untransformed control plants. Under water-limited conditions transgenic lines maintained parity in yield performance. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

  10. TaTypA, a Ribosome-Binding GTPase Protein, Positively Regulates Wheat Resistance to the Stripe Rust Fungus

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Peng; Myo, Thwin; Ma, Wei; Lan, Dingyun; Qi, Tuo; Guo, Jia; Song, Ping; Guo, Jun; Kang, Zhensheng

    2016-01-01

    Tyrosine phosphorylation protein A (TypA/BipA) belongs to the ribosome-binding GTPase superfamily. In many bacterial species, TypA acts as a global stress and virulence regulator and also mediates resistance to the antimicrobial peptide bactericidal permeability-increasing protein. However, the function of TypA in plants under biotic stresses is not known. In this study, we isolated and functionally characterized a stress-responsive TypA gene (TaTypA) from wheat, with three copies located on chromosomes 6A, 6B, and 6D, respectively. Transient expression assays indicated chloroplast localization of TaTypA. The transcript levels of TaTypA were up-regulated in response to treatment with methyl viologen, which induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chloroplasts through photoreaction, cold stress, and infection by an avirulent strain of the stripe rust pathogen. Knock down of the expression of TaTypA through virus-induced gene silencing decreased the resistance of wheat to stripe rust accompanied by weakened ROS accumulation and hypersensitive response, an increase in TaCAT and TaSOD expression, and an increase in pathogen hyphal growth and branching. Our findings suggest that TaTypA contributes to resistance in an ROS-dependent manner. PMID:27446108

  11. Development of a new quaternary alloy Ti-25Ta-25Nb-3Sn for biomedical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rangel Seixas, Mauricio; Bortolini, Celso, Jr.; Pereira, Adelvam, Jr.; Nakazato, Roberto Z.; Popat, Ketul C.; Rosifini Alves Claro, Ana Paula

    2018-02-01

    Metallic biomaterials have been used for biomedical applications, such as cardiovascular, orthopaedics and orthodontics, due to excellent properties. In this study, the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of new quaternary alloy Ti25Ta25Nb3Sn were evaluated. Alloys were processing in arc melting furnace with argon atmosphere and cold worked by rotary swaging. Alloy microstructure, crystalline phases and mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus, yield strength and tensile strength were evaluated. Corrosion resistance was investigated in fluoride solution by electrochemical polarization and biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts were also evaluated. In our study, for quaternary alloy Ti25Ta25Nb3Sn the stabilization of beta phase was maintained. It was observed that the elastic modulus of Ti25Ta25Nb3Sn (65 GPa) was lower than CP Ti (105 GPa) and Ti6Al4V (110 GPa) and slightly higher than Ti25Ta25Nb (55 GPa) alloy. The addition of Sn suppressed the double yielding verified on ternary alloy Ti25Ta25Nb. Electrochemical studies showed that stable passive oxide film was formed on the Ti25Ta25Nb3Sn surface and an increase of HDF adhesion and proliferation on alloy surface, indicating that the alloy is non-cytotoxic may provide a favorable material for biomedical applications. Results obtained showed that Ti25Ta25Nb3Sn alloy is indicated for biomedical applications.

  12. 75 FR 75184 - [Investigation No. 337-TA-722

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-12-02

    ... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 337-TA-722] In the Matter of Certain Automotive... sale within the United States after importation of certain automotive vehicles and designs therefor by... domestic industry. The Commission's notice of investigation named several respondents including Vehicles...

  13. Molecular Characterization of TaFAR1 Involved in Primary Alcohol Biosynthesis of Cuticular Wax in Hexaploid Wheat.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yong; Wang, Meiling; Sun, Yulin; Hegebarth, Daniela; Li, Tingting; Jetter, Reinhard; Wang, Zhonghua

    2015-10-01

    Cuticular waxes are complex mixtures of very long chain (VLC) fatty acids and their derivatives in which primary alcohols are the most abundant components in the leaf surface of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, the genes involved in primary alcohol biosynthesis in wheat are still largely unknown. Here we identified, via a homology-based approach, the TaFAR1 gene belonging to the fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs) from wheat. Heterologous expression of TaFAR1 in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cer4-3 mutant afforded production of C22 primary alcohol and C22-C24 primary alcohols, respectively, and transgenic expression of TaFAR1 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cv MicroTom leaves and fruits resulted in the accumulation of C26-C30 primary alcohols and C30-C34 primary alcohols, respectively. The TaFAR1 protein was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) leaf protoplasts. Moreover, the TaFAR1 expression pattern across various organs correlated with the levels of primary alcohols accumulating in corresponding waxes, and with the presence of platelet-shaped epicuticular wax crystals formed by primary alcohols. A nullisomic-tetrasomic wheat line lacking TaFAR1 had significantly reduced levels of primary alcohols in its leaf blade and anther wax. TaFAR1 was located on chromosome 4AL and appeared to be highly conserved, with only one haplotype among 32 wheat cultivars. Finally, TaFAR1 expression was induced by drought and cold stress in an ABA-dependent manner. Taken together, our results show that TaFAR1 is an active enzyme forming primary alcohols destined for the wheat cuticle. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  14. Substitution and Redox Chemistry of [Bu(4)N](2)[Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)].

    PubMed

    Prokopuk, Nicholas; Kennedy, Vance O.; Stern, Charlotte L.; Shriver, Duward F.

    1998-09-21

    Two sequential electrochemical reductions occur for the cluster anion [Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)](2)(-) at 0.89 and 0.29 V vs Ag/AgCl, with the generation [Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)](3)(-) and [Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)](4)(-). Chemical reduction of [Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)](2)(-) by ferrocene produces [Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)](3)(-) with the concomitant shift of the nu(SO(2)) stretch from 1002 to 1018 cm(-)(1). Reaction of [Bu(4)N](2)[Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)] (1) with [Bu(4)N]X (X = Cl, Br, I, NCS) occurs by reduction and substitution, yielding [Bu(4)N](3)[Ta(6)Cl(12)X(6)], where the clusters with X = Br, I, and NCS are new. Spectroscopic (IR and UV-vis) evidence indicates that the reduced cluster core {Ta(6)Cl(12)}(2+) is produced in reaction mixtures of 1 with the halide and pseudohalide ions. Concomitant substitution of the triflate ligands of 1 by X(-) occurs and the rates for the overall reduction and substitution increase in the order X(-) = Cl(-) < Br(-) < NCS(-) < I(-) < CN(-). Reduction of 1 with ferrocene followed by addition of [Bu(4)N]O(2)CCH(3) produces the new cluster [Ta(6)Cl(12)(O(2)CCH(3))(6)](3)(-) isolated as the tetrabutylammonium salt. Cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroscopy on the new clusters [Bu(4)N](3)[Ta(6)Cl(12)X(6)] (X = Br, I, NCS, and O(2)CCH(3)) are reported. Crystal data for [Bu(4)N](3)[Ta(6)Cl(12)(NCS)(6)].CH(2)Cl(2): monoclinic, space group, P2(1)/c (No. 14); a = 25.855(6) Å, b = 21.843(6) Å, c = 16.423(3) Å; beta = 100.03(2) degrees; V = 9133(3) Å(3); Z = 4.

  15. Ba{sub 3}ZnTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} and Ba{sub 3}MgTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} (0{<=}x{<=}1): synthesis, structure and dielectric properties

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Thirumal, M.; Jawahar, I.N.; Surendiran, K.P.

    2002-11-20

    Oxides belonging to the families Ba{sub 3}ZnTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} and Ba{sub 3}MgTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} were synthesized by the solid state reaction route. Sintering temperatures of 1300 deg. C led to oxides with disordered (cubic) perovskite structure. However, on sintering at 1425 deg. C hexagonally ordered structures were obtained for Ba{sub 3}MgTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} over the entire range (0{<=}x{<=}1) of composition, while for Ba{sub 3}ZnTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} the ordered structure exists in a limited range (0{<=}x{<=}0.5). The dielectric constant is close to 30 for the Ba{sub 3}ZnTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} family of oxides while the Mg analoguesmore » have lower dielectric constant of {approx}18 in the range 50 Hz to 500 kHz. At microwave frequencies (5-7 GHz) dielectric constant increases with increase in niobium concentration (22-26) for Ba{sub 3}ZnTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9}; for Ba{sub 3}MgTa{sub 2-x}Nb{sub x}O{sub 9} it varies between 12 and 14. The 'Zn' compounds have much higher quality factors and lower temperature coefficient of resonant frequency compared to the 'Mg' analogues.« less

  16. Heterologous expression of wheat VERNALIZATION 2 (TaVRN2) gene in Arabidopsis delays flowering and enhances freezing tolerance.

    PubMed

    Diallo, Amadou; Kane, Ndjido; Agharbaoui, Zahra; Badawi, Mohamed; Sarhan, Fathey

    2010-01-13

    The vernalization gene 2 (VRN2), is a major flowering repressor in temperate cereals that is regulated by low temperature and photoperiod. Here we show that the gene from Triticum aestivum (TaVRN2) is also regulated by salt, heat shock, dehydration, wounding and abscissic acid. Promoter analysis indicates that TaVRN2 regulatory region possesses all the specific responsive elements to these stresses. This suggests pleiotropic effects of TaVRN2 in wheat development and adaptability to the environment. To test if TaVRN2 can act as a flowering repressor in species different from the temperate cereals, the gene was ectopically expressed in the model plant Arabidopsis. Transgenic plants showed no alteration in morphology, but their flowering time was significantly delayed compared to controls plants, indicating that TaVRN2, although having no ortholog in Brassicaceae, can act as a flowering repressor in these species. To identify the possible mechanism by which TaVRN2 gene delays flowering in Arabidopsis, the expression level of several genes involved in flowering time regulation was determined. The analysis indicates that the late flowering of the 35S::TaVRN2 plants was associated with a complex pattern of expression of the major flowering control genes, FCA, FLC, FT, FVE and SOC1. This suggests that heterologous expression of TaVRN2 in Arabidopsis can delay flowering by modulating several floral inductive pathways. Furthermore, transgenic plants showed higher freezing tolerance, likely due to the accumulation of CBF2, CBF3 and the COR genes. Overall, our data suggests that TaVRN2 gene could modulate a common regulator of the two interacting pathways that regulate flowering time and the induction of cold tolerance. The results also demonstrate that TaVRN2 could be used to manipulate flowering time and improve cold tolerance in other species.

  17. Ultrahigh lattice thermal conductivity in topological semimetal TaN caused by a large acoustic-optical gap.

    PubMed

    Guo, San-Dong; Liu, Bang-Gui

    2018-03-14

    Topological semimetals may have potential applications such as in topological qubits, spintronics and quantum computations. Efficient heat dissipation is a key factor for the reliability and stability of topological semimetal-based nano-electronics devices, which is closely related to high thermal conductivity. In this work, the elastic properties and lattice thermal conductivity of TaN are investigated using first-principles calculations and the linearized phonon Boltzmann equation within the single-mode relaxation time approximation. According to the calculated bulk modulus, shear modulus and C 44 , TaN can be regarded as a potential incompressible and hard material. The room-temperature lattice thermal conductivity is predicted to be 838.62 [Formula: see text] along the a axis and 1080.40 [Formula: see text] along the c axis, showing very strong anisotropy. It is found that the lattice thermal conductivity of TaN is several tens of times higher than other topological semimetals, such as TaAs, MoP and ZrTe, which is due to the very longer phonon lifetimes for TaN than other topological semimetals. The very different atomic masses of Ta and N atoms lead to a very large acoustic-optical band gap, and then prohibit the scattering between acoustic and optical phonon modes, which gives rise to very long phonon lifetimes. Calculated results show that isotope scattering has little effect on lattice thermal conductivity, and that phonons with mean free paths larger than 20 (80) [Formula: see text] along the c direction at 300 K have little contribution to the total lattice thermal conductivity. This work implies that TaN-based nano-electronics devices may be more stable and reliable due to efficient heat dissipation, and motivates further experimental works to study lattice thermal conductivity of TaN.

  18. Ultrahigh lattice thermal conductivity in topological semimetal TaN caused by a large acoustic-optical gap

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, San-Dong; Liu, Bang-Gui

    2018-03-01

    Topological semimetals may have potential applications such as in topological qubits, spintronics and quantum computations. Efficient heat dissipation is a key factor for the reliability and stability of topological semimetal-based nano-electronics devices, which is closely related to high thermal conductivity. In this work, the elastic properties and lattice thermal conductivity of TaN are investigated using first-principles calculations and the linearized phonon Boltzmann equation within the single-mode relaxation time approximation. According to the calculated bulk modulus, shear modulus and C 44, TaN can be regarded as a potential incompressible and hard material. The room-temperature lattice thermal conductivity is predicted to be 838.62 W~m-1~K^{-1} along the a axis and 1080.40 W~m-1~K^{-1} along the c axis, showing very strong anisotropy. It is found that the lattice thermal conductivity of TaN is several tens of times higher than other topological semimetals, such as TaAs, MoP and ZrTe, which is due to the very longer phonon lifetimes for TaN than other topological semimetals. The very different atomic masses of Ta and N atoms lead to a very large acoustic-optical band gap, and then prohibit the scattering between acoustic and optical phonon modes, which gives rise to very long phonon lifetimes. Calculated results show that isotope scattering has little effect on lattice thermal conductivity, and that phonons with mean free paths larger than 20 (80) μm along the c direction at 300 K have little contribution to the total lattice thermal conductivity. This work implies that TaN-based nano-electronics devices may be more stable and reliable due to efficient heat dissipation, and motivates further experimental works to study lattice thermal conductivity of TaN.

  19. Mussel inspired polymerized P(TA-TETA) for facile functionalization of carbon nanotube

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Si, Shuxian; Gao, Tingting; Wang, Junhao; Liu, Qinze; Zhou, Guowei

    2018-03-01

    This article describes a novel and effective approach for non-covalent modification of carbon nanotube (CNT) via the mussel inspired polymerization of tannic acid (TA) and triethylenetetramine (TETA) and subsequent surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photograph were used to study the successful preparation of polymer brush grafted CNT (CNT-P(TA-TETA)-PDMAEMA) composite as well as the pH-responsive behavior of the composite. Furthermore, by amine protonation and in situ reduction, gold nanoparticles were successfully uploaded and the catalytic property of CNT-P(TA-TETA)-PDMAEMA/Au was investigated. We believe that the surface functionalization strategy can be extended to graphene and other substrates, and the surface properties can be regulated by grafting polymer brushes with different functionalities.

  20. Surface modification of single crystal LiTaO3 by H and He implantation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Changdong; Lu, Fei; Jin, Lei; Xu, Bo; Fan, Ranran

    2017-02-01

    Defects production and evolution in H and He ions co-implanted LiTaO3 under different implantation order (H + He and He + H) are investigated. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to study the lattice damage, composition and structure change in the buried damage region. Obvious differences of ions aggregation mechanism are found in H and He implanted LiTaO3. Blistering or splitting of LiTaO3 is more easily achieved in the case where He is implanted first compared to the reverses case. Significant damage enhancement and micro-fractures are observed in samples with He preimplant. The dispersed damage in H-first sample is due to the destruction by He post-bombardment of H-clusters. This order effect indicates the strong aggregation and trapping ability of He ions and He bubbles. The effect of coimplantation parameters on the cleaving of LiTaO3 is discussed.

  1. [Cloning and analysis of a new aliphatic amidase gene from Rhodococcus erythropolis TA37].

    PubMed

    Lavrov, K V; Karpova, I Yu; Epremyan, A S; Yanenko, A S

    2014-10-01

    A new aliphatic amidase gene (ami), having a level of similarity with the nearest homologs of no more than 77%, was identified in the Rhodococcus erythropolis TA37 strain, which is able to hydrolyze a wide range of amides. The amidase gene was cloned within a 3.7 kb chromosomal locus, which also contains putative acetyl-CoA ligase and ABC-type transportergenes. The structure of this locus in the R. erythropolis TA37 strain differs from the structure of loci in other Rhodococcus strains. The amidase gene is expressed in Escherichia coli cells. It was demonstrated that amidase (generated in the recombinant strain) efficiently hydrolyzes acetamide (aliphatic anmide) and does not use 4'-nitroacetanilide (N-substituted amide) as a substrate. Insertional inactivation of the amidase gene in the R. erythropolis TA37 strain results in a considerable decrease (by at least 6-7 times) in basal amidase activity, indicating functional amidase activity in the R. erythropolis TA37 strain.

  2. A study on the resistance switching of Ag2Se and Ta2O5 heterojunctions using structural engineering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Tae Sung; Lee, Nam Joo; Abbas, Haider; Hu, Quanli; Yoon, Tae-Sik; Lee, Hyun Ho; Le Shim, Ee; Kang, Chi Jung

    2018-01-01

    The resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices with heterostuctures have been investigated due to cycling stability, nonlinear switching, complementary resistive switching and self-compliance. The heterostructured devices can modulate the resistive switching (RS) behavior appropriately by bilayer structure with a variety of materials. In this study, the bipolar resistive switching characteristics of the bilayer structures composed of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se, which are transition-metal oxide (TMO) and silver chalcogenide, were investigated. The bilayer devices of Ta2O5 deposited on Ag2Se (Ta2O5/Ag2Se) and Ag2Se deposited on Ta2O5 (Ag2Se/Ta2O5) were fabricated for investigation of the RS characteristics by stacking sequence of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se. All operating voltages were applied to the Ag top electrode with the Pt bottom electrode grounded. The Ta2O5/Ag2Se device showed that a negative voltage sweep switched the device from high resistance state (HRS) to low resistance state (LRS) and a positive voltage sweep switched the device from LRS to HRS. On the contrary, for the Ag2Se/Ta2O5 device a positive voltage sweep switched the device from HRS to LRS, and a negative voltage sweep switched it from LRS to HRS. The polarity dependence of RS was attributed to the stacking sequence of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se. In addition, the combined heterostructured device of both bilayer stacks, Ta2O5/Ag2Se and Ag2Se/Ta2O5, exhibited the complementary switching characteristics. By using threshold switching devices, sneak path leakage can be reduced without additional selectors. The bilayer heterostructures of Ta2O5 and Ag2Se have various advantages such as self-compliance, reproducibility and forming-free stable RS. It confirms the possible applications of TMO and silver chalcogenide heterostructures in RRAM.

  3. Distributed Timing and Localization (DiGiTaL)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    D'Amico, Simone; Hunter, Roger C.; Baker, Christopher

    2017-01-01

    The Distributed Timing and Localization (DiGiTaL) system provides nano satellite formations with unprecedented,centimeter-level navigation accuracy in real time and nanosecond-level time synchronization. This is achieved through the integration of a multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, a Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC), and a dedicated Inter-Satellite Link (ISL). In comparison, traditional single spacecraft GNSS navigation solutions are accurate only to the meter-level due to the sole usage of coarse pseudo-range measurements. To meet the strict requirements of future miniaturized distributed space systems, DiGiTaL uses powerful error-cancelling combinations of raw carrier-phase measurements which are exchanged between the swarming nano satellites through a decentralized network. A reduced-dynamics estimation architecture on board each individual nano satellite processes the resulting millimeter-level noise measurements to reconstruct the fullformation state with high accuracy.

  4. Characterization of Ultrathin Ta-oxide Films Formed on Ge(100) by ALD and Layer-by-Layer Methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mishima, K.; Murakami, H.; Ohta, A.; Sahari, S. K.; Fujioka, T.; Higashi, S.; Miyazaki, S.

    2013-03-01

    Atomic layer deposition (ALD) and Layer-by-Layer deposition of Ta-oxide films on Ge(100) with using tris (tert-butoxy) (tert-butylimido) tantalum have been studied systematically. From the analysis of the chemical bonding features of the interface between TaOx and Ge(100) using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Ge atom diffusion into the Ta oxide layer and resultant TaGexOy formation during deposition at temperatures higher than 200°C were confirmed. Also, we have demonstrated that nanometer-thick deposition of Tantalum oxide as an interfacial layer effectively suppresses the formation of GeOx in the HfO2 ALD on Ge. By the combination of TaOx pre-deposition on Ge(100) and subsequent ALD of HfO2, a capacitance equivalent thickness (CET) of 1.35 nm and relative dielectric constant of 23 were achieved.

  5. Prediction of novel alloy phases of Al with Sc or Ta

    PubMed Central

    Bilić, Ante; Gale, Julian D.; Gibson, Mark A.; Wilson, Nick; McGregor, Kathie

    2015-01-01

    Using the evolutionary optimization algorithm, as implemented in the USPEX crystal predictor program, and first principles total energy calculations, the compositional phase diagrams for Al-Sc and Al-Ta alloy systems at zero temperature and pressure have been calculated. In addition to the known binary intermetallic phases, new potentially stable alloys, AlSc3 and AlTa7, have been identified in the Al-poor region of the phase diagram. The dynamic and thermal stability of their lattices has been confirmed from the calculated vibrational normal mode spectra in the harmonic approximation. PMID:25950915

  6. A wheat WRKY transcription factor TaWRKY10 confers tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in transgenic tobacco.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chen; Deng, Pengyi; Chen, Liulin; Wang, Xiatian; Ma, Hui; Hu, Wei; Yao, Ningcong; Feng, Ying; Chai, Ruihong; Yang, Guangxiao; He, Guangyuan

    2013-01-01

    WRKY transcription factors are reported to be involved in defense regulation, stress response and plant growth and development. However, the precise role of WRKY transcription factors in abiotic stress tolerance is not completely understood, especially in crops. In this study, we identified and cloned 10 WRKY genes from genome of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). TaWRKY10, a gene induced by multiple stresses, was selected for further investigation. TaWRKY10 was upregulated by treatment with polyethylene glycol, NaCl, cold and H2O2. Result of Southern blot indicates that the wheat genome contains three copies of TaWRKY10. The TaWRKY10 protein is localized in the nucleus and functions as a transcriptional activator. Overexpression of TaWRKY10 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) resulted in enhanced drought and salt stress tolerance, mainly demonstrated by the transgenic plants exhibiting of increased germination rate, root length, survival rate, and relative water content under these stress conditions. Further investigation showed that transgenic plants also retained higher proline and soluble sugar contents, and lower reactive oxygen species and malonaldehyde contents. Moreover, overexpression of the TaWRKY10 regulated the expression of a series of stress related genes. Taken together, our results indicate that TaWRKY10 functions as a positive factor under drought and salt stresses by regulating the osmotic balance, ROS scavenging and transcription of stress related genes.

  7. Overexpression of TaNAC2D Displays Opposite Responses to Abiotic Stresses between Seedling and Mature Stage of Transgenic Arabidopsis

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Quanjun; Wang, Yan

    2016-01-01

    Environmental stresses frequently affect plant growth and development, and many genes have been found to be induced by unfavorable environmental conditions. Here, we reported the biological functions of TaNAC2D, a stress-related NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) gene from wheat. TaNAC2D showed transcriptional activator activity in yeast. TaNAC2D-GFP fusion protein was localized in the nucleus of wheat mesophyll protoplasts. TaNAC2D transcript abundance was significantly induced by NaCl, PEG6000, and abscisic acid (ABA) at seedling stage, and repressed by NaCl and PEG6000 at mature plant stage. When TaNAC2D was introduced into Arabidopsis, the 35-day-old soil-grown TaNAC2D-overexpression (TaNAC2D-OX) plants displayed slower stomatal closure, higher water loss rate, and more sensitivity to salt and drought stresses compared with WT plants. In contrast, TaNAC2D-OX seedlings, grown on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of NaCl, Mannitol, and MV, had enhanced tolerances to salt, osmotic and oxidative stresses during seed germination and post-germination periods. The opposite stress-responsive phenotypes of transgenic Arabidopsis were consistent with the expression patterns of TaNAC2D in wheat. Moreover, under high salinity and dehydration conditions, three marker genes, including NCED3, RD29A, and RD29B, were down-regulated in 35-day-old TaNAC2D-OX plants grown in soil and up-regulated in 14-day-old TaNAC2D-OX seedlings grown on 1/2 MS medium. Our results suggest that the change in growth stages and environmental conditions may regulate TaNAC2D’s function. PMID:27933076

  8. The wheat AGC kinase TaAGC1 is a positive contributor to host resistance to the necrotrophic pathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Xiuliang; Yang, Kun; Wei, Xuening; Zhang, Qiaofeng; Rong, Wei; Du, Lipu; Ye, Xingguo; Qi, Lin; Zhang, Zengyan

    2015-11-01

    Considerable progress has been made in understanding the roles of AGC kinases in mammalian systems. However, very little is known about the roles of AGC kinases in wheat (Triticum aestivum). The necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia cerealis is the major pathogen of the destructive disease sharp eyespot of wheat. In this study, the wheat AGC kinase gene TaAGC1, responding to R. cerealis infection, was isolated, and its properties and role in wheat defence were characterized. R. cerealis-resistant wheat lines expressed TaAGC1 at higher levels than susceptible wheat lines. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the TaAGC1 protein is a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the NDR (nuclear Dbf2-related) subgroup of AGC kinases. Kinase activity assays proved that TaAGC1 is a functional kinase and the Asp-239 residue located in the conserved serine/threonine kinase domain of TaAGC1 is required for the kinase activity. Subcellular localization assays indicated that TaAGC1 localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Virus-induced TaAGC1 silencing revealed that the down-regulation of TaAGC1 transcripts significantly impaired wheat resistance to R. cerealis. The molecular characterization and responses of TaAGC1 overexpressing transgenic wheat plants indicated that TaAGC1 overexpression significantly enhanced resistance to sharp eyespot and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wheat plants challenged with R. cerealis. Furthermore, ROS-scavenging and certain defence-associated genes were up-regulated in resistant plants overexpressing TaAGC1 but down-regulated in susceptible knock-down plants. These results suggested that the kinase TaAGC1 positively contributes to wheat immunity to R. cerealis through regulating expression of ROS-related and defence-associated genes. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

  9. The wheat AGC kinase TaAGC1 is a positive contributor to host resistance to the necrotrophic pathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Xiuliang; Yang, Kun; Wei, Xuening; Zhang, Qiaofeng; Rong, Wei; Du, Lipu; Ye, Xingguo; Qi, Lin; Zhang, Zengyan

    2015-01-01

    Considerable progress has been made in understanding the roles of AGC kinases in mammalian systems. However, very little is known about the roles of AGC kinases in wheat (Triticum aestivum). The necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia cerealis is the major pathogen of the destructive disease sharp eyespot of wheat. In this study, the wheat AGC kinase gene TaAGC1, responding to R. cerealis infection, was isolated, and its properties and role in wheat defence were characterized. R. cerealis-resistant wheat lines expressed TaAGC1 at higher levels than susceptible wheat lines. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the TaAGC1 protein is a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the NDR (nuclear Dbf2-related) subgroup of AGC kinases. Kinase activity assays proved that TaAGC1 is a functional kinase and the Asp-239 residue located in the conserved serine/threonine kinase domain of TaAGC1 is required for the kinase activity. Subcellular localization assays indicated that TaAGC1 localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Virus-induced TaAGC1 silencing revealed that the down-regulation of TaAGC1 transcripts significantly impaired wheat resistance to R. cerealis. The molecular characterization and responses of TaAGC1 overexpressing transgenic wheat plants indicated that TaAGC1 overexpression significantly enhanced resistance to sharp eyespot and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wheat plants challenged with R. cerealis. Furthermore, ROS-scavenging and certain defence-associated genes were up-regulated in resistant plants overexpressing TaAGC1 but down-regulated in susceptible knock-down plants. These results suggested that the kinase TaAGC1 positively contributes to wheat immunity to R. cerealis through regulating expression of ROS-related and defence-associated genes. PMID:26220083

  10. Effect of Substitution (Ta, Al, Ga) on the Conductivity of Li7La3Zr2O12

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-30

    xTax012). Conductivity data was not included in their report. Similarly to Ta, Nb substitution for Zr should also lower the Li content of the LLZO and a...high Li ion conductivity (0.8 mS cm−1 at 298 K) cubic garnet sample has been reported with Nb substitution for Zr by Ohta et al. [15]. However, Ta is...substitution for Zr follows this approach and it is desirable for a couple rea- sons. First, Ta is stable relative to Li [13]. Second, Ta substitution

  11. The Foreign TA: A Guide to Teaching Effectiveness.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gburek, Janice L., Ed.; Dunnett, Stephen C., Ed.

    Articles on teaching effectiveness for foreign teaching assistants (TAs) are presented. Topics include: adapting to the U.S. academic environment, understanding the role of the TA and gaining confidence, anticipating undergraduates' expectations, improving communication skills, and teaching laboratory classes and recitation classes. Titles and…

  12. Characterization of a common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) TaSnRK2.7 gene involved in abiotic stress responses

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Hongying; Mao, Xinguo; Jing, Ruilian; Chang, Xiaoping; Xie, Huimin

    2011-01-01

    Sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) plays a key role in the plant stress signalling transduction pathway via phosphorylation. Here, a SnRK2 member of common wheat, TaSnRK2.7, was cloned and characterized. Southern blot analysis suggested that the common wheat genome contains three copies of TaSnRK2.7. Subcellular localization showed the presence of TaSnRK2.7 in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Expression patterns revealed that TaSnRK2.7 is expressed strongly in roots, and responds to polyethylene glycol, NaCl, and cold stress, but not to abscisic acid (ABA) application, suggesting that TaSnRK2.7 might participate in non-ABA-dependent signal transduction pathways. TaSnRK2.7 was transferred to Arabidopsis under the control of the CaMV-35S promoter. Function analysis showed that TaSnRK2.7 is involved in carbohydrate metabolism, decreasing osmotic potential, enhancing photosystem II activity, and promoting root growth. Its overexpression results in enhanced tolerance to multi-abiotic stress. Therefore, TaSnRK2.7 is a multifunctional regulatory factor in plants, and has the potential to be utilized in transgenic breeding to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. PMID:21030389

  13. Investigation of microstructural and electrical properties of composition dependent co-sputtered Hf1-x Ta x O2 thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Das, K. C.; Tripathy, N.; Ghosh, S. P.; Mohanta, S. K.; Nakamura, A.; Kar, J. P.

    2017-11-01

    Tantalum doped HfO2 gate dielectric thin films were deposited on silicon substrates using RF reactive co-sputtering by varying RF power of Ta target from 15 W to 90 W. The morphological, compositional and electrical properties of Hf1-x Ta x O2 films were systematically investigated. The Ta content was found to be increased up to 21% for a Ta target power of 90 W. The evolution of monoclinic phase of Hf1-x Ta x O2 was seen from XRD study upto RF power of 60 W and afterwards, the amorphous like behaviour is appeared. The featureless smooth surface with the decrease in granular morphology has been observed from FESEM micrographs of the doped films at higher RF powers of Ta. The flatband voltage is found to be shifted towards negative voltage in the capacitance-voltage plot, which was attributed to the enhancement in positive oxide charge density with rise in RF power. The interface charge density has a minimum value of 7.85  ×  1011 eV-1 cm-2 for the film deposited at Ta RF power of 75 W. The Hf1-x Ta x O2 films deposited at Ta target RF power of 90 W has shown lower leakage current. The high on/off ratio of the current during the set process in Hf1-x Ta x O2 based memristors is found suitable for bipolar resistive switching memory device applications.

  14. Preparation of TiO2/boron-doped diamond/Ta multilayer films and use as electrode materials for supercapacitors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Chao; Li, Hongji; Li, Cuiping; Li, Mingji; Qu, Changqing; Yang, Baohe

    2015-12-01

    We report nanostructured TiO2/boron-doped diamond (BDD)/Ta multilayer films and their electrochemical performances as supercapacitor electrodes. The BDD films were grown on Ta substrates using electron-assisted hot filament chemical vapor deposition. Ti metal layers were deposited on the BDD surfaces by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, and nanostructured TiO2/BDD/Ta thin films were prepared by electrochemical etching and thermal annealing. The successful formation of TiO2 and Ta layered nanostructures was demonstrated using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies. The electrochemical responses of these electrodes were evaluated by examining their use as electrical double-layer capacitors, using cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge/discharge and impedance measurements. When the TiO2/BDD/Ta film was used as the working electrode with 0.1 M Na2SO4 as the electrolyte, the capacitor had a specific capacitance of 5.23 mF cm-2 at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1 for a B/C ratio of 0.1% w/w. Furthermore, the TiO2/BDD/Ta film had improved electrochemical stability, with a retention of 89.3% after 500 cycles. This electrochemical behavior is attributed to the quality of the BDD, the surface roughness and electrocatalytic activities of the TiO2 layer and Ta nanoporous structures, and the synergies between them. These results show that TiO2/BDD/Ta films are promising as capacitor electrodes for special applications.

  15. Processing of crack-free high density polycrystalline LiTaO3 ceramics

    DOE PAGES

    Chen, Ching-Fong; Brennecka, Geoff L.; King, Graham; ...

    2016-11-04

    Our work achieved high density (99.9%) polycrystalline LiTaO 3. The keys to the high density without cracking were the use of LiF-assisted densification to maintain fine grain size as well as the presence of secondary lithium aluminate phases as grain growth inhibitors. The average grain size of the hot pressed polycrystalline LiTaO 3 is less than 5 μm, limiting residual stresses caused by the anisotropic thermal expansion. Dilatometry results clearly indicate liquid phase sintering via the added LiF sintering aid. Efficient liquid phase sintering allows densification during low temperature hot pressing. Electron microscopy confirmed the high-density microstructure. Furthermore, Rietveld analysismore » of neutron diffraction data revealed the presence of LiAlO 2 and LiAl 5O 8 minority phases and negligible substitutional defect incorporation in LiTaO 3.« less

  16. Anomalous electronic structure and magnetoresistance in TaAs2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luo, Yongkang; McDonald, R. D.; Rosa, P. F. S.; Scott, B.; Wakeham, N.; Ghimire, N. J.; Bauer, E. D.; Thompson, J. D.; Ronning, F.

    2016-06-01

    The change in resistance of a material in a magnetic field reflects its electronic state. In metals with weakly- or non-interacting electrons, the resistance typically increases upon the application of a magnetic field. In contrast, negative magnetoresistance may appear under some circumstances, e.g., in metals with anisotropic Fermi surfaces or with spin-disorder scattering and semimetals with Dirac or Weyl electronic structures. Here we show that the non-magnetic semimetal TaAs2 possesses a very large negative magnetoresistance, with an unknown scattering mechanism. Density functional calculations find that TaAs2 is a new topological semimetal [ℤ2 invariant (0;111)] without Dirac dispersion, demonstrating that a negative magnetoresistance in non-magnetic semimetals cannot be attributed uniquely to the Adler-Bell-Jackiw chiral anomaly of bulk Dirac/Weyl fermions.

  17. Anomalous electronic structure and magnetoresistance in TaAs2

    PubMed Central

    Luo, Yongkang; McDonald, R. D.; Rosa, P. F. S.; Scott, B.; Wakeham, N.; Ghimire, N. J.; Bauer, E. D.; Thompson, J. D.; Ronning, F.

    2016-01-01

    The change in resistance of a material in a magnetic field reflects its electronic state. In metals with weakly- or non-interacting electrons, the resistance typically increases upon the application of a magnetic field. In contrast, negative magnetoresistance may appear under some circumstances, e.g., in metals with anisotropic Fermi surfaces or with spin-disorder scattering and semimetals with Dirac or Weyl electronic structures. Here we show that the non-magnetic semimetal TaAs2 possesses a very large negative magnetoresistance, with an unknown scattering mechanism. Density functional calculations find that TaAs2 is a new topological semimetal [ℤ2 invariant (0;111)] without Dirac dispersion, demonstrating that a negative magnetoresistance in non-magnetic semimetals cannot be attributed uniquely to the Adler-Bell-Jackiw chiral anomaly of bulk Dirac/Weyl fermions. PMID:27271852

  18. The adsorption and dissociation of O2 on Pd and Pt modified TaC (1 0 0) surface: A first principles study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meng, Yanan; Zhang, Xilin; Mao, Jianjun; Xu, Xiaopei; Yang, Zongxian

    2018-05-01

    The adsorption and dissociation of O2 on the palladium and platinum modified TaC (1 0 0) surfaces were investigated based on the density functional theory calculations. It is found that the adsorption sites of O2 are the Ta-Ta bridge sites on both the partially covered TaC (1 0 0) surfaces by Pd and Pt, M4/TaC (1 0 0) (M = Pd and Pt), while the 4-fold metal hollow sites and the metal-metal bridge sites are preferred on the fully covered TaC (1 0 0) surfaces by Pd and Pt monolayer, MML/TaC (1 0 0), respectively. The deposition of Pd or Pt can enhance the oxidation resistance of TaC (1 0 0). Meanwhile, the TaC (1 0 0) decorated by monolayer Pd still exhibited outstanding catalytic activity for O2 dissociation. Our study might be useful to designing efficient catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.

  19. Low temperature synthesis of monolithic transparent Ta2O5 gels from hydrolysis of metal alkoxide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bansal, Narottam P.

    1993-01-01

    Tantalum oxide gels in the form of transparent monoliths and powder were prepared from hydrolysis of tantalum pentaethoxide under controlled conditions using different mole ratios of Ta(OC2H5)5:C2H50H:H20:HCl. Alcohol acts as the mutual solvent and HCl as the deflocculating agent. For a fixed alkoxide:water:HCl ratio, time of gel formation increased with the alcohol to alkoxide mole ratio. Thermal evolution of the physical and structural changes in the gel was monitored by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy. On heating to approximately 400 C, the amorphous gel crystallized into the low temperature orthorhombic phase Beta-Ta2O5, which transformed into the high temperature tetragonal phase Alpha-Ta2O5 when further heated to approximately 1450 C. The volume fraction of the crystalline phase increased with the firing temperature. The Alpha-Ta205 converted back into the low temperature phase, Beta-Ta2O5, on slow cooling through the transformation temperature of 1360 C indicating a slow but reversible transformation.

  20. Excellent resistive memory characteristics and switching mechanism using a Ti nanolayer at the Cu/TaOx interface

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Excellent resistive switching memory characteristics were demonstrated for an Al/Cu/Ti/TaOx/W structure with a Ti nanolayer at the Cu/TaOx interface under low voltage operation of ± 1.5 V and a range of current compliances (CCs) from 0.1 to 500 μA. Oxygen accumulation at the Ti nanolayer and formation of a defective high-κ TaOx film were confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy. The resistive switching memory characteristics of the Al/Cu/Ti/TaOx/W structure, such as HRS/LRS (approximately 104), stable switching cycle stability (>106) and multi-level operation, were improved compared with those of Al/Cu/TaOx/W devices. These results were attributed to the control of Cu migration/dissolution by the insertion of a Ti nanolayer at the Cu/TaOx interface. In contrast, CuOx formation at the Cu/TaOx interface was observed in an Al/Cu/TaOx/W structure, which hindered dissolution of the Cu filament and resulted in a small resistance ratio of approximately 10 at a CC of 500 μA. A high charge-trapping density of 6.9 × 1016 /cm2 was observed in the Al/Cu/Ti/TaOx/W structure from capacitance-voltage hysteresis characteristics, indicating the migration of Cu ions through defect sites. The switching mechanism was successfully explained for structures with and without the Ti nanolayer. By using a new approach, the nanoscale diameter of Cu filament decreased from 10.4 to 0.17 nm as the CC decreased from 500 to 0.1 μA, resulting in a large memory size of 7.6 T to 28 Pbit/sq in. Extrapolated 10-year data retention of the Ti nanolayer device was also obtained. The findings of this study will not only improve resistive switching memory performance but also aid future design of nanoscale nonvolatile memory. PMID:22734564

  1. Pressure-induced Lifshitz and structural transitions in NbAs and TaAs: experiments and theory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nath Gupta, Satyendra; Singh, Anjali; Pal, Koushik; Muthu, D. V. S.; Shekhar, C.; Elghazali, Moaz A.; Naumov, Pavel G.; Medvedev, Sergey A.; Felser, C.; Waghmare, U. V.; Sood, A. K.

    2018-05-01

    High pressure Raman, resistivity and synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies on Weyl semimetals NbAs and TaAs have been carried out along with density functional theoretical (DFT) analysis to explain pressure induced structural and electronic topological phase transitions. The frequencies of first order Raman modes harden with increasing pressure, exhibiting a slope change at GPa for NbAs and GPa for TaAs. The resistivities of NbAs and TaAs exhibit a minimum at pressures close to these transition pressures and also a change in the bulk modulus is observed. Our first-principles calculations reveal that the transition is associated with an electronic Lifshitz transition at for NbAs while it is a structural phase transition from body centered tetragonal to hexagonal phase at for TaAs. Further, our DFT calculations show a structural phase transition at 24 GPa from body centered tetragonal phase to hexagonal phase.

  2. Trace Impurity Analysis in Ta Films Using Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry: Concentration Change of Impurities by Applying Negative Substrate Bias Voltage

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lim, Jae-Won; Mimura, Kouji; Isshiki, Minoru

    2004-12-01

    Glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) was used to analyze a Ta target and Ta films for trace impurities. The Ta films were deposited on Si (100) substrate at substrate bias voltages of 0 V and -125 V using a non-mass separated ion beam deposition system. Although both Ta films were contaminated by impurities during the deposition, the Ta film deposited at a substrate bias voltage of -125 V showed lower impurity content than the Ta film deposited without the substrate bias voltage, which means that applying a negative bias voltage to the substrate decreased the total concentration of impurities. Furthermore, the concentration change of individual impurities in the Ta film is related to their ionization ratio in the argon discharge plasma. Considering the effect of the ionization potential of an individual impurity on the ionization ratio, purification by applying a negative bias voltage to the substrate results from Penning ionization and an ionization mechanism proposed in this study, as well as from the difference between the kinetic energies of Ta neutral atoms and Ta+ ions accelerated toward the substrate with/without a negative substrate bias voltage.

  3. A Wheat WRKY Transcription Factor TaWRKY10 Confers Tolerance to Multiple Abiotic Stresses in Transgenic Tobacco

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Liulin; Wang, Xiatian; Ma, Hui; Hu, Wei; Yao, Ningcong; Feng, Ying; Chai, Ruihong; Yang, Guangxiao; He, Guangyuan

    2013-01-01

    WRKY transcription factors are reported to be involved in defense regulation, stress response and plant growth and development. However, the precise role of WRKY transcription factors in abiotic stress tolerance is not completely understood, especially in crops. In this study, we identified and cloned 10 WRKY genes from genome of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). TaWRKY10, a gene induced by multiple stresses, was selected for further investigation. TaWRKY10 was upregulated by treatment with polyethylene glycol, NaCl, cold and H2O2. Result of Southern blot indicates that the wheat genome contains three copies of TaWRKY10. The TaWRKY10 protein is localized in the nucleus and functions as a transcriptional activator. Overexpression of TaWRKY10 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) resulted in enhanced drought and salt stress tolerance, mainly demonstrated by the transgenic plants exhibiting of increased germination rate, root length, survival rate, and relative water content under these stress conditions. Further investigation showed that transgenic plants also retained higher proline and soluble sugar contents, and lower reactive oxygen species and malonaldehyde contents. Moreover, overexpression of the TaWRKY10 regulated the expression of a series of stress related genes. Taken together, our results indicate that TaWRKY10 functions as a positive factor under drought and salt stresses by regulating the osmotic balance, ROS scavenging and transcription of stress related genes. PMID:23762295

  4. Transparent ALD-grown Ta2O5 protective layer for highly stable ZnO photoelectrode in solar water splitting.

    PubMed

    Li, Chengcheng; Wang, Tuo; Luo, Zhibin; Zhang, Dong; Gong, Jinlong

    2015-04-30

    This communication describes a highly stable ZnO/Ta2O5 photoanode with Ta2O5 deposited by atomic layer deposition. The ultrathin Ta2O5 protective layer prevents corrosion of ZnO and reduces surface carrier recombination, leading to a nearly two-fold increase of photo-conversion efficiency. The transparency of Ta2O5 to sunlight is identified as the main reason for the excellent stability of the photoelectrode for 5 hours.

  5. 3D Ta/TaO x /TiO2/Ti synaptic array and linearity tuning of weight update for hardware neural network applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, I.-Ting; Chang, Chih-Cheng; Chiu, Li-Wen; Chou, Teyuh; Hou, Tuo-Hung

    2016-09-01

    The implementation of highly anticipated hardware neural networks (HNNs) hinges largely on the successful development of a low-power, high-density, and reliable analog electronic synaptic array. In this study, we demonstrate a two-layer Ta/TaO x /TiO2/Ti cross-point synaptic array that emulates the high-density three-dimensional network architecture of human brains. Excellent uniformity and reproducibility among intralayer and interlayer cells were realized. Moreover, at least 50 analog synaptic weight states could be precisely controlled with minimal drifting during a cycling endurance test of 5000 training pulses at an operating voltage of 3 V. We also propose a new state-independent bipolar-pulse-training scheme to improve the linearity of weight updates. The improved linearity considerably enhances the fault tolerance of HNNs, thus improving the training accuracy.

  6. Diffusion behavior of Cu/Ta heterogeneous interface under high temperature and high strain: An atomistic investigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Ganglong; Wu, Houya; Luo, Honglong; Chen, Zhuo; Tay, Andrew A. O.; Zhu, Wenhui

    2017-09-01

    Three-dimensional (3D) integration technology using Cu interconnections has emerged as a promising solution to improve the performance of silicon microelectronic devices. However, Cu diffuses into SiO2 and requires a barrier layer such as Ta to ensure acceptable reliability. In this paper, the effects of temperature and strain normal to the interface on the inter-diffusion of Cu and Ta at annealing conditions are investigated using a molecular dynamics (MD) technique with embedded atomic method (EAM) potentials. Under thermal annealing conditions without strain, it is found that a Cu-rich diffusion region approximately 2 nm thick is formed at 1000 K after 10 ns of annealing. Ta is capable of diffusing into the interior of Cu but Cu hardly diffuses into the inner lattice of Ta. At the Cu side near the interface an amorphous structure is formed due to the process of diffusion. The diffusion activation energy of Cu and Ta are found to be 0.9769 and 0.586 eV, respectively. However, when a strain is applied, a large number of crystal defects are generated in the sample. As the strain is increased, extrinsic stacking faults (ESFs) and lots of Shockley partial dislocations appear. The density of the dislocations and the diffusion channels increase, promoting the diffusion of Cu atoms into the inner lattice of Ta. The thickness of the diffusion layer increases to 4 times the value when only a temperature load of 700 K is applied. The MD simulations demonstrated that Ta is very effective as a barrier layer under thermal loading only, and its effectiveness is impaired by tensile strain at the Cu/Ta interface. The simulations also clarified the mechanism that caused the impairment. The methodology and approach described in this paper can be followed further to study the effectiveness of barrier layers under various annealing and strain conditions, and to determine the minimum thickness of barrier layers required for a particular application.

  7. Effect of Ta Additions on the Microstructure, Damping, and Shape Memory Behaviour of Prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni Shape Memory Alloys.

    PubMed

    Saud, Safaa N; Hamzah, E; Bakhsheshi-Rad, H R; Abubakar, T

    2017-01-01

    The influence of Ta additions on the microstructure and properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys was investigated in this paper. The addition of Ta significantly affects the green and porosity densities; the minimum percentage of porosity was observed with the modified prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni-2.0 wt.% Ta. The phase transformation temperatures were shifted towards the highest values after Ta was added. Based on the damping capacity results, the alloy of Cu-Al-Ni-3.0 wt.% Ta has very high internal friction with the maximum equivalent internal friction value twice as high as that of the prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni SMA. Moreover, the prealloyed Cu-Al-Ni SMAs with the addition of 2.0 wt.% Ta exhibited the highest shape recovery ratio in the first cycle (i.e., 100% recovery), and when the number of cycles is increased, this ratio tends to decrease. On the other hand, the modified alloys with 1.0 and 3.0 wt.% Ta implied a linear increment in the shape recovery ratio with increasing number of cycles. Polarization tests in NaCl solution showed that the corrosion resistance of Cu-Al-Ni-Ta SMA improved with escalating Ta concentration as shown by lower corrosion current densities, higher corrosion potential, and formation of stable passive film.

  8. Co-Precipitation Synthesis and Characterization of SrBi2Ta2O9 Ceramic

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Afqir, Mohamed; Tachafine, Amina; Fasquelle, Didier; Elaatmani, Mohamed; Carru, Jean-Claude; Zegzouti, Abdelouahad; Daoud, Mohamed

    2018-04-01

    Strontium bismuth tantalate (SrBi2Ta2O9) was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The sample was characterized by x-ray powder diffraction patterns (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the dielectric properties are reported at room temperature. No secondary phases were found while heating the powder at 850°C and the pure SrBi2Ta2O9 phase was formed, as revealed by XRD. The characteristic bands for SrBi2Ta2O9 were observed by FTIR at approximately 619 cm-1 and 810 cm-1. SEM micrographs for the sample displayed thin plate-like grains. The grain size was less than 1 μm and the crystallite size of about 24 nm. Dielectric response at room temperature shows that the SrBi2Ta2O9 ceramic has low loss values, and the flattening of the dielectric constant at higher frequencies. The observed Curie temperature is comparable with those reported in the literature.

  9. Investigating Ta strength across multiple platforms, strain rates, and pressures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mattsson, Thomas; Flicker, Dawn G.; Benage, John F.; Battaile, Corbett; Brown, Justin L.; Lane, J. Matthew D.; Lim, Hojun; Arsenlis, Thomas A.; Barton, Nathan R.; Park, Hye-Sook; Swift, Damian C.; Prisbrey, Shon T.; Austin, Ryan; McNabb, Dennis P.; Remington, Bruce A.; Prime, Michael B.; Gray, George T., III; Bronkhorst, Curt A.; Chen, Shuh-Rong; Luscher, D. J.; Scharff, Robert J.; Fensin, Sayu J.; Schraad, Mark W.; Dattelbaum, Dana M.; Brown, Staci L.

    2017-10-01

    Ta is a metal with high density and strength. We are collaborating to understand the behavior across an unprecedented range of conditions comparing strength data from Hopkinson bar, Taylor cylinder, guns, Z, Omega and the NIF using Ta from a single lot up to 380 GPa and strain rates of 107. Experiments are ongoing to give more overlap between the platforms and are being simulated with models to determine the importance of specific physical processes. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-mission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA-0003525.

  10. EDITORIAL: TaCoNa-Photonics 2008 TaCoNa-Photonics 2008

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chigrin, Dmitry N.; Busch, Kurt; Lavrinenko, Andrei V.

    2009-11-01

    This special section on theoretical and computational nano-photonics features papers presented at the first International Workshop on Theoretical and Computational Nano-Photonics (TaCoNa-Photonics 2008) held in Bad Honnef, Germany, 3-5 December 2008. The workshop covered a broad range of topics related to current developments and achievements in this interdisciplinary area of research. Since the late 1960s, the word `photonics' has been understood as the science of generating, controlling, and detecting light. Nowadays, a routine fabrication of complex structures with micro- and nano-scale dimensions opens up many new and exciting possibilities in photonics. The science of generating, routing and detecting light in micro- and nano-structured matter, `nano-photonics', is becoming more important both in research and technology and offers many promising applications. The inherently sub-wavelength character of the structures that nano-photonics deals with challenges modern theoretical and computational physics and engineering with many nontrivial questions: Up to what length-scale can one use a macroscopic phenomenological description of matter? Where is the interface between the classical and quantum description of light in nano-scale structures? How can one combine different physical systems, different time- and length-scales in a single computational model? How can one engineer nano-structured materials in order to achieve the desired optical properties for particular applications? Any attempt at answering these kinds of questions is impossible without the joint efforts of physicists, engineers, applied mathematicians and programmers. This is the reason why the major goal of the TaCoNa-Photonics workshops is to provide a forum where theoreticians and specialists in numerical methods from all branches of physics, engineering sciences and mathematics can compare their results, report on novel results and breakthroughs, and discuss new challenges ahead. In order to

  11. HIGH-k GATE DIELECTRIC: AMORPHOUS Ta/La2O3 FILMS GROWN ON Si AT LOW PRESSURE

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bahari, Ali; Khorshidi, Zahra

    2014-09-01

    In the present study, Ta/La2O3 films (La2O3 doped with Ta2O5) as a gate dielectric were prepared using a sol-gel method at low pressure. Ta/La2O3 film has some hopeful properties as a gate dielectric of logic device. The structure and morphology of Ta/La2O3 films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrical properties of films were performed using capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current density-voltage (J-V) measurements. The optical bandgap of samples was studied by UV-visible optical absorbance measurement. The optical bandgap, Eopt, is determined from the absorbance spectra. The obtained results show that Ta/La2O3 film as a good gate dielectric has amorphous structure, good thermal stability, high dielectric constant (≈ 25), low leakage current and wide bandgap (≈ 4.7 eV).

  12. Superconductor-Metal-Insulator transition in two dimensional Ta thin Films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Sun-Gyu; Kim, Eunseong

    2013-03-01

    Superconductor-insulator transition has been induced by tuning film thickness or magnetic field. Recent electrical transport measurements of MoGe, Bi, Ta thin films revealed an interesting intermediate metallic phase which intervened superconducting and insulating phases at certain range of magnetic field. Especially, Ta thin films show the characteristic IV behavior at each phase and the disorder tuned intermediate metallic phase [Y. Li, C. L. Vicente, and J. Yoon, Physical Review B 81, 020505 (2010)]. This unexpected metallic phase can be interpreted as a consequence of vortex motion or contribution of fermionic quasiparticles. In this presentation, we report the scaling behavior during the transitions in Ta thin film as well as the transport measurements in various phases. Critical exponents v and z are obtained in samples with wide ranges of disorder. These results reveal new universality class appears when disorder exceeds a critical value. Dynamical exponent z of Superconducting sample is found to be 1, which is consistent with theoretical prediction of unity. z in a metallic sample is suddenly increased to be approximately 2.5. This critical exponent is much larger than the value found in other system and theoretical prediction. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the National Research Foundation of Korea through the Creative Research Initiatives.

  13. Pressure-induced phase transitions of β-type pyrochlore CsTaWO 6

    DOE PAGES

    Zhang, F. X.; Tracy, C. L.; Shamblin, J.; ...

    2016-09-30

    The β-type pyrochlore CsTaWO 6 was studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering methods up to pressures of 43 GPa using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). With increasing pressure, the cubic pyrochlore in space group of Fd-3¯m with combining macron]m transforms to an orthorhombic structure (space group: Pnma) at 5.9 GPa and then to a monoclinic structure (space group: P2 1/c) at ~18 GPa. The structural evolution in CsTaWO 6 is a continuous process and experimental results suggest that the initial cubic phase has a tetragonal distortion at ambient conditions. Both XRD and Raman measurements indicate that themore » pressure-induced phase transitions in CsTaWO 6 are reversible. Lastly, these results may provide a structural explanation of previous experimental resistivity measurement results for the isostructural superconductor K(Cs)Os 2O 6 at high pressure conditions.« less

  14. Pressure-induced phase transitions of β-type pyrochlore CsTaWO 6

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, F. X.; Tracy, C. L.; Shamblin, J.

    The β-type pyrochlore CsTaWO 6 was studied by synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering methods up to pressures of 43 GPa using a diamond anvil cell (DAC). With increasing pressure, the cubic pyrochlore in space group of Fd-3¯m with combining macron]m transforms to an orthorhombic structure (space group: Pnma) at 5.9 GPa and then to a monoclinic structure (space group: P2 1/c) at ~18 GPa. The structural evolution in CsTaWO 6 is a continuous process and experimental results suggest that the initial cubic phase has a tetragonal distortion at ambient conditions. Both XRD and Raman measurements indicate that themore » pressure-induced phase transitions in CsTaWO 6 are reversible. Lastly, these results may provide a structural explanation of previous experimental resistivity measurement results for the isostructural superconductor K(Cs)Os 2O 6 at high pressure conditions.« less

  15. Investigation of Thermal Conductivities and Expansion Coefficients of (Yb1 - x La x )2AlTaO7 Ceramics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiaoge, Chen; Hongsong, Zhang; Sai, Su; Yongde, Zhao; An, Tang; Haoming, Zhang

    2017-12-01

    The (Yb1 - x La x )2AlTaO7 ( x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) ceramics were prepared by solid-state reaction method. The phase composition, microstructure, thermophysical properties of (Yb1 - x La x )2AlTaO7 ceramics were investigated. Results reveal that (Yb1 - x La x )2AlTaO7 ( x = 0, 0.1, 0.3) ceramics exhibit a single pyrochlore-type structure, and the (Yb0.5La0.5)2AlTaO7 has an orthorhombic weberite structure. The thermal conductivities of (Yb1 - x La x )2AlTaO7 ( x = 0, 0.1, 0.3) ceramics decrease with increasing Yb2O3 contents. (Yb0.5La0.5)2AlTaO7 has the highest thermal conductivity among all the ceramics studied, within the range of 1.48-1.75 W/m K (20-1200 °C). The thermal expansion coefficients of (Yb1 - x La x )2AlTaO7 ceramics decrease gradually with increasing La2O3 fractions, and the thermal expansion coefficients are close to those of YSZ.

  16. Pressure-induced Lifshitz and structural transitions in NbAs and TaAs: experiments and theory.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Satyendra Nath; Singh, Anjali; Pal, Koushik; Muthu, D V S; Shekhar, C; Elghazali, Moaz A; Naumov, Pavel G; Medvedev, Sergey A; Felser, C; Waghmare, U V; Sood, A K

    2018-05-10

    High pressure Raman, resistivity and synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies on Weyl semimetals NbAs and TaAs have been carried out along with density functional theoretical (DFT) analysis to explain pressure induced structural and electronic topological phase transitions. The frequencies of first order Raman modes harden with increasing pressure, exhibiting a slope change at [Formula: see text] GPa for NbAs and [Formula: see text] GPa for TaAs. The resistivities of NbAs and TaAs exhibit a minimum at pressures close to these transition pressures and also a change in the bulk modulus is observed. Our first-principles calculations reveal that the transition is associated with an electronic Lifshitz transition at [Formula: see text] for NbAs while it is a structural phase transition from body centered tetragonal to hexagonal phase at [Formula: see text] for TaAs. Further, our DFT calculations show a structural phase transition at 24 GPa from body centered tetragonal phase to hexagonal phase.

  17. TaFlo2-A1, an ortholog of rice Flo2, is associated with thousand grain weight in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

    PubMed

    Sajjad, Muhammad; Ma, Xiaoling; Habibullah Khan, Sultan; Shoaib, Muhammad; Song, Yanhong; Yang, Wenlong; Zhang, Aimin; Liu, Dongcheng

    2017-10-16

    The Flo2 gene is a member of a conserved gene family in plants. This gene has been found to be related to thousand grain weight (TGW) in rice. Its orthologs in hexaploid wheat were cloned, and the haplotype variation in TaFlo2-A1 was tested for association with TGW. The cloned sequences of TaFlo2-A1, TaFlo2-B1 and TaFlo2-D1 contained 23, 23 and 24 exons, respectively. The deduced proteins of TaFlo2-A1 (1734 aa), TaFlo2-B1 (1698 aa) and TaFlo2-D1 (1682 aa) were highly similar (>94%) and exhibited >77% similarity with the rice FLO2 protein. Like the rice FLO2 protein, four tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs were observed in the deduced TaFLO2 protein. An 8-bp InDel (-10 to -17 bp) in the promoter region and five SNPs in first intron of TaFlo2-A1 together formed two haplotypes, TaFlo2-A1a and TaFlo2-A1b, in bread wheat. TaFlo2 was located on homeologous group 2 chromosomes. TaFlo2-A1 was inferred to be located on deletion bin '2AL1-0.85-1.00'. The TaFlo2-A1 haplotypes were characterized in the Chinese Micro Core Collection (MCC) and Pakistani wheat collection using the molecular marker TaFlo2-Indel8. TaFlo2-A1 was found to be associated with TGW but not with grain number per spike (GpS) in both the MCC and Pakistani wheat collections. The frequency of TaFlo2-A1b (positive haplotype) was low in commercial wheat cultivars; thus this haplotype can be selected to improve grain weight without negatively affecting GpS. The expression level of TaFlo2-A1 in developing grains at 5 DAF (days after flowering) was positively correlated with TGW in cultivars carrying the positive haplotype. This study will likely lead to additional investigations to understand the regulatory mechanism of the Flo2 gene in hexaploid wheat. Furthermore, the newly developed molecular marker 'TaFlo2-InDel8' could be incorporated into the kit of wheat breeders for use in marker-assisted selection.

  18. ABI-like transcription factor gene TaABL1 from wheat improves multiple abiotic stress tolerances in transgenic plants.

    PubMed

    Xu, Dong-Bei; Gao, Shi-Qing; Ma, You-Zhi; Xu, Zhao-Shi; Zhao, Chang-Ping; Tang, Yi-Miao; Li, Xue-Yin; Li, Lian-Cheng; Chen, Yao-Feng; Chen, Ming

    2014-12-01

    The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays crucial roles in adaptive responses of plants to abiotic stresses. ABA-responsive element binding proteins (AREBs) are basic leucine zipper transcription factors that regulate the expression of downstream genes containing ABA-responsive elements (ABREs) in promoter regions. A novel ABI-like (ABA-insensitive) transcription factor gene, named TaABL1, containing a conserved basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain was cloned from wheat. Southern blotting showed that three copies were present in the wheat genome. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that TaABL1 belonged to the AREB subfamily of the bZIP transcription factor family and was most closely related to ZmABI5 in maize and OsAREB2 in rice. Expression of TaABL1 was highly induced in wheat roots, stems, and leaves by ABA, drought, high salt, and low temperature stresses. TaABL1 was localized inside the nuclei of transformed wheat mesophyll protoplast. Overexpression of TaABL1 enhanced responses of transgenic plants to ABA and hastened stomatal closure under stress, thereby improving tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. Furthermore, overexpression of TaABL1 upregulated or downregulated the expression of some stress-related genes controlling stomatal closure in transgenic plants under ABA and drought stress conditions, suggesting that TaABL1 might be a valuable genetic resource for transgenic molecular breeding.

  19. Anomalous electronic structure and magnetoresistance in TaAs 2

    DOE PAGES

    Luo, Yongkang; McDonald, R. D.; Rosa, P. F. S.; ...

    2016-01-01

    We report that the change in resistance of a material in a magnetic field reflects its electronic state. In metals with weakly- or non-interacting electrons, the resistance typically increases upon the application of a magnetic field. In contrast, negative magnetoresistance may appear under some circumstances, e.g., in metals with anisotropic Fermi surfaces or with spin-disorder scattering and semimetals with Dirac or Weyl electronic structures. Here we show that the non-magnetic semimetal TaAs 2 possesses a very large negative magnetoresistance, with an unknown scattering mechanism. In conclusion, density functional calculations find that TaAs 2 is a new topological semimetal [Z 2more » invariant (0;111)] without Dirac dispersion, demonstrating that a negative magnetoresistance in non-magnetic semimetals cannot be attributed uniquely to the Adler-Bell-Jackiw chiral anomaly of bulk Dirac/Weyl fermions.« less

  20. Overexpression of the class I homeodomain transcription factor TaHDZipI-5 increases drought and frost tolerance in transgenic wheat.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yunfei; Luang, Sukanya; Harris, John; Riboni, Matteo; Li, Yuan; Bazanova, Natalia; Hrmova, Maria; Haefele, Stephan; Kovalchuk, Nataliya; Lopato, Sergiy

    2018-06-01

    Characterization of the function of stress-related genes helps to understand the mechanisms of plant responses to environmental conditions. The findings of this work defined the role of the wheat TaHDZipI-5 gene, encoding a stress-responsive homeodomain-leucine zipper class I (HD-Zip I) transcription factor, during the development of plant tolerance to frost and drought. Strong induction of TaHDZipI-5 expression by low temperatures, and the elevated TaHDZipI-5 levels of expression in flowers and early developing grains in the absence of stress, suggests that TaHDZipI-5 is involved in the regulation of frost tolerance at flowering. The TaHDZipI-5 protein behaved as an activator in a yeast transactivation assay, and the TaHDZipI-5 activation domain was localized to its C-terminus. The TaHDZipI-5 protein homo- and hetero-dimerizes with related TaHDZipI-3, and differences between DNA interactions in both dimers were specified at 3D molecular levels. The constitutive overexpression of TaHDZipI-5 in bread wheat significantly enhanced frost and drought tolerance of transgenic wheat lines with the appearance of undesired phenotypic features, which included a reduced plant size and biomass, delayed flowering and a grain yield decrease. An attempt to improve the phenotype of transgenic wheat by the application of stress-inducible promoters with contrasting properties did not lead to the elimination of undesired phenotype, apparently due to strict spatial requirements for TaHDZipI-5 overexpression. © 2017 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  1. Characterization of a small GTP-binding protein gene TaRab18 from wheat involved in the stripe rust resistance.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Zhengning; Wang, Hui; Zhang, Guoqin; Zhao, Renhui; Bie, Tongde; Zhang, Ruiqi; Gao, Derong; Xing, Liping; Cao, Aizhong

    2017-04-01

    The stripe rust resistance gene, Yr26, is commonly used in wheat production. Identification of Yr26 resistance related genes is important for better understanding of the resistance mechanism. TaRab18, a putative small GTP-binding protein, was screened as a resistance regulated gene as it showed differential expression between the Yr26-containing resistant wheat and the susceptible wheat at different time points after Pst inoculation. TaRab18 contains four typical domains (GI to GIV) of the small GTP-binding proteins superfamily and five domains (RabF1 to RabF5) specific to the Rab subfamily. From the phylogenetic tree that TaRab18 was identified as belonging to the RABC1 subfamily. Chromosome location analysis indicated that TaRab18 and its homeoalles were on the homeologous group 7 chromosomes, and the Pst induced TaRab18 was on the 7 B chromosome. Functional analysis by virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) indicated that TaRab18 was positively involved in the stripe rust resistance through regulating the hypersensitive response, and Pst can develop on the leaves of TaRab18 silenced 92R137. However, over-expression of TaRab18 in susceptible Yangmai158 did not enhance its resistance dramatically, only from 9 grade in Yangmai158 to 8 grade in the transgenic plant. However, histological observation indicated that the transgenic plants with over-expressed TaRab18 showed a strong hypersensitive response at the early infection stage. The research herein, will improve our understanding of the roles of Rab in wheat resistance. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

  2. Study on the mechanism of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Ta/CoFeB/MgO system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lou, Yongle; Zhang, Yuming; Guo, Hui; Xu, Daqing; Yimen, Zhang

    2017-06-01

    The mechanism of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in a MgO-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) has been studied in this article. By comparing the magnetic properties and elementary composition analysis for different CoFeB-based structures, such as Ta/CoFeB/MgO, Ta/CoFeB/Ta and Ru/CoFeB/MgO structures, it is found that a certain amount of Fe-oxide existing at the interface of CoFeB/MgO is helpful to enhance the PMA and the PMA is originated from the interface of CoFeB/MgO. In addition, Ta film plays an important role to enhance the PMA in Ta/CoFeB/MgO structure. Project supported by the National Defense Advance Research Foundation (No. 9140A08XXXXXX0DZ106), the Basic Research Program of Ministry of Education, China (No. JY10000925005), the Scientific Research Program Funded by Shaanxi Provincial Education Department (No.11JK0912), the Scientific Research Foundation of Xi’an University of Science and Technology (No. 2010011), the Doctoral Research Startup Fund of Xi’an University of Science and Technology (No. 2010QDJ029).

  3. Highly Active GaN-Stabilized Ta3 N5 Thin-Film Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Miao; Hisatomi, Takashi; Sasaki, Yutaka; Suzuki, Sayaka; Teshima, Katsuya; Nakabayashi, Mamiko; Shibata, Naoya; Nishiyama, Hiroshi; Katayama, Masao; Yamada, Taro; Domen, Kazunari

    2017-04-18

    Ta 3 N 5 is a very promising photocatalyst for solar water splitting because of its wide spectrum solar energy utilization up to 600 nm and suitable energy band position straddling the water splitting redox reactions. However, its development has long been impeded by poor compatibility with electrolytes. Herein, we demonstrate a simple sputtering-nitridation process to fabricate high-performance Ta 3 N 5 film photoanodes owing to successful synthesis of the vital TaO δ precursors. An effective GaN coating strategy is developed to remarkably stabilize Ta 3 N 5 by forming a crystalline nitride-on-nitride structure with an improved nitride/electrolyte interface. A stable, high photocurrent density of 8 mA cm -2 was obtained with a CoPi/GaN/Ta 3 N 5 photoanode at 1.2 V RHE under simulated sunlight, with O 2 and H 2 generated at a Faraday efficiency of unity over 12 h. Our vapor-phase deposition method can be used to fabricate high-performance (oxy)nitrides for practical photoelectrochemical applications. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production from water-ethanol solution by Ruthenium doped La-NaTaO3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Husin, H.; Alam, P. N.; Zaki, M.; Sofyana; Jakfar; Husaini; Hasfita, F.

    2018-04-01

    The photocatalytic hydrogen production from ethanol aqueous solution, with the use ruthenium doped La-NaTaO3 has been investigated. Ruthenium doped La-NaTaO3 catalysts are prepared by impregnation method. The catalysts are by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Ru co-catalyst demonstrated from the TEM image shows a good dispersion on the surface of La-C-NaTaO3 with an average particle size between 4-5 nm. The photocatalytic reaction is carried out in a closed reactor with a gas circulation system. The catalytic activity of La-NaTaO3 improved markedly (6.6 times from pure water) when Ru is loaded onto its surface. The hydrogen production is notably enhanced in the presence of ethanol as electron donors. This result is much higher when compared with the rate of hydrogen production in the sample without co- catalysts about 9.4 times higher after Ru deposition from ethanol aqueous solution. Increasing the production of hydrogen on the Ru/La-NaTaO3 closely related to the decrease in recombination between electron-hole pairs.

  5. Genotoxicity studies on DNA-interactive telomerase inhibitors with application as anti-cancer agents.

    PubMed

    Harrington, Dean J; Cemeli, Eduardo; Carder, Joanna; Fearnley, Jamie; Estdale, Sian; Perry, Philip J; Jenkins, Terence C; Anderson, Diana

    2003-01-01

    Telomerase-targeted strategies have aroused recent interest in anti-cancer chemotherapy, because DNA-binding drugs can interact with high-order tetraplex rather than double-stranded (duplex) DNA targets in tumour cells. However, the protracted cell-drug exposure times necessary for clinical application require that telomerase inhibitory efficacy must be accompanied by both low inherent cytotoxicity and the absence of mutagenicity/genotoxicity. For the first time, the genotoxicity of a number of structurally diverse DNA-interactive telomerase inhibitors is examined in the Ames test using six Salmonella typhimurium bacterial strains (TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, TA100, and TA102). DNA damage induced by each agent was also assessed using the Comet assay with human lymphocytes. The two assay procedures revealed markedly different genotoxicity profiles that are likely to reflect differences in metabolism and/or DNA repair between bacterial and mammalian cells. The mutational spectrum for a biologically active fluorenone derivative, shown to be mutagenic in the TA100 strain, was characterised using a novel and rapid assay method based upon PCR amplification of a fragment of the hisG46 allele, followed by RFLP analysis. Preliminary analysis indicates that the majority (84%) of mutations induced by this compound are C --> A transversions at position 2 of the missense proline codon of the hisG46 allele. However, despite its genotoxic bacterial profile, this fluorenone agent gave a negative response in the Comet assay, and demonstrates how unwanted systemic effects (e.g., cytotoxicity and genotoxicity) can be prevented or ameliorated through suitable molecular fine-tuning of a candidate drug in targeted human tumour cells. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  6. The Crystallization Clinic-A TA Orientation Exercise

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kandel, Marjorie

    1999-01-01

    Our orientation exercise for TAs in the organic laboratories is a Crystallization Clinic, and the main feature is a contest. Each TA has a different unknown solid to recrystallize. The products are judged by the students in the organic lab courses. Beauty of the crystals is the single criterion. The contest serves to refresh the TAs' technique and to give them empathy with the beginning students.

  7. TaUBA, a UBA domain-containing protein in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), is a negative regulator of salt and drought stress response in transgenic Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiao; Zhang, Shuang-shuang; Ma, Jun-xia; Guo, Guang-yan; Zhang, Xue-yong; Liu, Xu; Bi, Cai-li

    2015-05-01

    TaUBA functions as a negative regulator of salt and drought stress response in transgenic Arabidopsis, either the UBA domain or the zinc finger domain is crucial for TaUBA's function. TaUBA (DQ211935), which is a UBA domain-containing protein in wheat, was cloned and functionally characterized. Southern blot suggested that TaUBA is a low copy gene in common wheat. qRT-PCR assay showed that the expression of TaUBA was strongly induced by salt and drought stress. When suffering from drought and salt stresses, lower proline content and much higher MDA content in the TaUBA overexpressors were observed than those of the wild-type control, suggesting TaUBA may function as a negative regulator of salt and drought stress response in plants. To study whether the UBA domain or the zinc finger domain affects the function of TaUBA, TaUBAΔUBA (deletion of UBA domain) and TaUBA-M (Cys464Gly and Cys467Gly) overexpression vectors were constructed and transformed into Arabidopsis. Upon drought and salt stresses, the TaUBAΔUBA-and TaUBA-M-overexpressed plants accumulated much more proline and lower MDA than the wild-type control, the TaUBA-overexpressors lost water more quickly than TaUBAΔUBA-and TaUBA-M-overexpressed plants as well as the wild-type control, suggesting that overexpression of TaUBAΔUBA or TaUBA-M improved the drought and salt tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis plants and the possibility of ubiquitination role in the regulation of osmolyte synthesis and oxidative stress responses in mediating stress tolerance. qRT-PCR assay of stress-related genes in transgenic plants upon drought and salt stresses suggested that TaUBA may function through down-regulating some stress related-transcription factors and by regulating P5CSs to cope with osmotic stress.

  8. Optoelectronic properties of CC2TA towards a good TADF material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mishra, Ashok Kumar

    2018-05-01

    2,4-bis{f3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-9H-carbazol-9-yl}-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine (CC2TA) is a triazine derivatives in which the acceptor phenyltriazine unit is used as the central skeleton and donor bicarbazole units are bonded to both ends of the skeleton. Molecular orbital calculations exhibit that the HOMO and LUMO are locally allocated chiefly in the bicarbazole and phenyltriazine units, respectively. There are a class of organic molecules and polymers which exhibit semiconductor behavior because of nearly free conjugate π-electrons. Hopping of these electrons in molecules forms different excited singlet and triplet states named as excitons. Some of these organic molecules can be set to emit photons by triplet-singlet excitonic transition via a process called Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) which is exploited for designing the Organic Light Emitting diode (OLED.) CC2TA is one of these reported noble metal-free TADF molecules which offers unique opto electronic properties arising from the reverse intersystem crossing between the lowest singlet (S) and triplet (T) excited states. Its ability to harvest triplet excitons for fluorescence through facilitated reverse intersystem crossing (T→S) could directly impact their properties and performances, which is attractive for a wide variety of low-cost optoelectronic device. In the present study, the CC2TA compounds have been taken up for the investigation of various optoelectronic properties including the thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) by using the Koopmans Method and Density Functional Theory. The present study discusses the utility of the CC2TA organic semiconductor as a suitable TADF material essential for developing an efficient Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED).

  9. First-principles investigations on structural, elastic, electronic properties and Debye temperature of orthorhombic Ni3Ta under pressure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Pan; Zhang, Jianxin; Ma, Shiyu; Jin, Huixin; Zhang, Youjian; Zhang, Wenyang

    2018-06-01

    The structural, elastic, electronic properties and Debye temperature of Ni3Ta under different pressures are investigated using the first-principles method based on density functional theory. Our calculated equilibrium lattice parameters at 0 GPa well agree with the experimental and previous theoretical results. The calculated negative formation enthalpies and elastic constants both indicate that Ni3Ta is stable under different pressures. The bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E and Poisson's ratio ν are calculated by the Voigt-Reuss-Hill method. The bigger ratio of B/G indicates Ni3Ta is ductile and the pressure can improve the ductility of Ni3Ta. In addition, the results of density of states and the charge density difference show that the stability of Ni3Ta is improved by the increasing pressure. The Debye temperature ΘD calculated from elastic modulus increases along with the pressure.

  10. Influence of Ta content in high purity niobium on cavity performance

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    P. Kneisel; G. Ciovati; G. R. Myneni

    In a previous paper [1] we have reported about initial tests of single cell 1500 MHz cavities made from high purity niobium with three different Ta contents of 160 ppm , {approx}600 ppm and {approx}1400 ppm. These cavities had been treated by buffered chemical polishing several times and 100 {micro}m, 200 {micro}m and 300 {micro}m of material had been removed from the surfaces. This contribution reports about subsequent tests following post purification heat treatments with Ti and ''in situ'' baking. As a result, all cavities exhibited increased quench fields due to the improved thermal conductivity after the heat treatment. Aftermore » the ''in situ'' baking at 120 C for {approx} 40 hrs the always present Q-drop at high fields disappeared and further improvements in accelerating gradient could be realized. Gradients as high as E{sub acc} = 35 MV/m were achieved and there were no clear indications that the cavity performance was influenced by the Ta content in the material. A multi-cell cavity from the high Ta content material has been fabricated and initial results are reported.« less

  11. π Berry phase and Zeeman splitting of Weyl semimetal TaP

    DOE PAGES

    Hu, J.; Liu, J. Y.; Graf, D.; ...

    2016-01-04

    Here, the recent breakthrough in the discovery of Weyl fermions in monopnictide semimetals provides opportunities to explore the exotic properties of relativistic fermions in condensed matter. The chiral anomaly-induced negative magnetoresistance and π Berry phase are two fundamental transport properties associated with the topological characteristics of Weyl semimetals. Since monopnictide semimetals are multiple-band systems, resolving clear Berry phase for each Fermi pocket remains a challenge. Here we report the determination of Berry phases of multiple Fermi pockets of Weyl semimetal TaP through high field quantum transport measurements. We show our TaP single crystal has the signatures of a Weyl state,more » including light effective quasiparticle masses, ultrahigh carrier mobility, as well as negative longitudinal magnetoresistance. Furthermore, we have generalized the Lifshitz-Kosevich formula for multiple-band Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations and extracted the Berry phases of π for multiple Fermi pockets in TaP through the direct fits of the modified LK formula to the SdH oscillations. In high fields, we also probed signatures of Zeeman splitting, from which the Landé g-factor is extracted.« less

  12. Reconnaissance of the Hydrogeology of Ta'u, American Samoa

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Izuka, Scot K.

    2005-01-01

    Analysis of existing data and information collected on a reconnaissance field visit supports a conceptual model of ground-water occurrence in Ta'u, American Samoa, in which a thin freshwater lens exists in a predominantly high-permeability aquifer that receives high rates of recharge. Because the freshwater lens is thin throughout most of the island, the productivity of wells, especially those near the coast where the lens is the thinnest, is likely to be limited by saltwater intrusion. The landfill in northwestern Ta'u is closer to the north coast of the island than to any of the existing or proposed well sites. Although this may indicate that ground water beneath the landfill would flow away from the existing and proposed well sites, this interpretation may change depending on the hydraulic properties of a fault and rift zone in the area. Of four plausible scenarios tested with a numerical ground-water flow model, only one scenario indicated that ground water from beneath the landfill would flow toward the existing and proposed well sites; the analysis does not, however, assess which of the four scenarios is most plausible. The analysis also does not consider the change in flow paths that will result from ground-water withdrawals, dispersion of contaminants during transport by ground water, other plausible hydrogeologic scenarios, transport of contaminants by surface-water flow, or that sources of contamination other than the landfill may exist. Accuracy of the hydrologic interpretations in this study is limited by the relatively sparse data available for Ta'u. Understanding water resources on Ta'u can be advanced by monitoring rainfall, stream-flow, evaporation, ground-water withdrawals, and water quality, and with accurate surveys of measuring point elevations for all wells and careful testing of well-performance. Assessing the potential for contaminants in the landfill to reach existing and proposed well sites can be improved with additional information on the

  13. Mutagenicity studies in a tyre plant: in vitro activity of workers' urinary concentrates and raw materials.

    PubMed

    Crebelli, R; Paoletti, A; Falcone, E; Aquilina, G; Fabri, G; Carere, A

    1985-07-01

    The possible contribution to urinary mutagenicity of occupational exposures in the rubber industry was studied by assaying the urine concentrates of 72 workmen (44 smokers) employed in a tyre plant. Twenty three clerks (16 smokers) engaged in the administrative department of the same factory served as presumptive unexposed controls. XAD-2 resin concentrates of urine samples were assayed in the plate incorporation test and in the microtitre fluctuation assay with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA98, and TA100. Furthermore, the in vitro mutagenicity of the major raw materials in use at the plant was determined in the plate incorporation assay with S typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100. The results obtained from the urinary mutagenicity study show that smoking habits, but not occupation, were statistically significantly related to the appearance of a urinary mutagenicity that was detectable with strain TA98. A possible synergistic effect of occupation with smoking was observed among tyre builders who were also smokers. The study of the raw materials showed that three technical grade materials were weakly active as mutagens in strain TA98 in the absence (poly-p-dinitrosobenzene) or in the presence of metabolic activation (mixed diaryl-p-phenylendiamines and tetramethyltiuram disulphide). The latter chemical was also weakly active in strain TA100.

  14. Mutagenicity studies in a tyre plant: in vitro activity of workers' urinary concentrates and raw materials.

    PubMed Central

    Crebelli, R; Paoletti, A; Falcone, E; Aquilina, G; Fabri, G; Carere, A

    1985-01-01

    The possible contribution to urinary mutagenicity of occupational exposures in the rubber industry was studied by assaying the urine concentrates of 72 workmen (44 smokers) employed in a tyre plant. Twenty three clerks (16 smokers) engaged in the administrative department of the same factory served as presumptive unexposed controls. XAD-2 resin concentrates of urine samples were assayed in the plate incorporation test and in the microtitre fluctuation assay with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA98, and TA100. Furthermore, the in vitro mutagenicity of the major raw materials in use at the plant was determined in the plate incorporation assay with S typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100. The results obtained from the urinary mutagenicity study show that smoking habits, but not occupation, were statistically significantly related to the appearance of a urinary mutagenicity that was detectable with strain TA98. A possible synergistic effect of occupation with smoking was observed among tyre builders who were also smokers. The study of the raw materials showed that three technical grade materials were weakly active as mutagens in strain TA98 in the absence (poly-p-dinitrosobenzene) or in the presence of metabolic activation (mixed diaryl-p-phenylendiamines and tetramethyltiuram disulphide). The latter chemical was also weakly active in strain TA100. PMID:4015996

  15. Color tone and interfacial microstructure of white oxide layer on commercially pure Ti and Ti-Nb-Ta-Zr alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miura-Fujiwara, Eri; Mizushima, Keisuke; Watanabe, Yoshimi; Kasuga, Toshihiro; Niinomi, Mitsuo

    2014-11-01

    In this study, the relationships among oxidation condition, color tone, and the cross-sectional microstructure of the oxide layer on commercially pure (CP) Ti and Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O were investigated. “White metals” are ideal metallic materials having a white color with sufficient strength and ductility like a metal. Such materials have long been sought for in dentistry. We have found that the specific biomedical Ti alloys, such as CP Ti, Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O, and Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr, form a bright yellowish-white oxide layer after a particular oxidation heat treatment. The brightness L* and yellowness +b* of the oxide layer on CP Ti and Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O increased with heating time and temperature. Microstructural observations indicated that the oxide layer on Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr and Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O was dense and firm, whereas a piecrust-like layer was formed on CP Ti. The results obtained in this study suggest that oxide layer coating on Ti-36Nb-2Ta-3Zr-0.3O is an excellent technique for dental applications.

  16. Novel NAC Transcription Factor TaNAC67 Confers Enhanced Multi-Abiotic Stress Tolerances in Arabidopsis

    PubMed Central

    Mao, Xinguo; Chen, Shuangshuang; Li, Ang; Zhai, Chaochao; Jing, Ruilian

    2014-01-01

    Abiotic stresses are major environmental factors that affect agricultural productivity worldwide. NAC transcription factors play pivotal roles in abiotic stress signaling in plants. As a staple crop, wheat production is severely constrained by abiotic stresses whereas only a few NAC transcription factors have been characterized functionally. To promote the application of NAC genes in wheat improvement by biotechnology, a novel NAC gene designated TaNAC67 was characterized in common wheat. To determine its role, transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing TaNAC67-GFP controlled by the CaMV-35S promoter was generated and subjected to various abiotic stresses for morphological and physiological assays. Gene expression showed that TaNAC67 was involved in response to drought, salt, cold and ABA treatments. Localization assays revealed that TaNAC67 localized in the nucleus. Morphological analysis indicated the transgenics had enhanced tolerances to drought, salt and freezing stresses, simultaneously supported by enhanced expression of multiple abiotic stress responsive genes and improved physiological traits, including strengthened cell membrane stability, retention of higher chlorophyll contents and Na+ efflux rates, improved photosynthetic potential, and enhanced water retention capability. Overexpression of TaNAC67 resulted in pronounced enhanced tolerances to drought, salt and freezing stresses, therefore it has potential for utilization in transgenic breeding to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crops. PMID:24427285

  17. A New One-dimensional Quantum Material - Ta2Pd3Se8 Atomic Chain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Xue; Liu, Jinyu; Hu, Jin; Yue, Chunlei; Mao, Zhiqiang; Wei, Jiang; Antipina, Liubov; Sorokin, Pavel; Sanchez, Ana

    Since the discovery of carbon nanotube, there has been a persistent effort to search for other one dimensional (1D) quantum systems. However, only a few examples have been found. We report a new 1D example - semiconducting Ta2Pd3Se8. We demonstrate that the Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire as thin as 1.3nm can be easily obtained by applying simple mechanical exfoliation from its bulk counterpart. High resolution TEM shows an intrinsic 1D chain-like crystalline morphology on these nano wires, indicating weak bonding between these atomic chains. Theoretical calculation shows a direct bandgap structure, which evolves from 0.53eV in the bulk to 1.04eV in single atomic chain. The field effect transistor based on Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire achieved a promising performance with 104On/Off ratio and 80 cm2V-1s-1 mobility. Low temperature transport study reflects two different mechanisms, variable range hopping and thermal activation, which dominate the transport properties at different temperature regimes. Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire provides an intrinsic 1D material system for the study low dimensional condensed matter physics.

  18. Measurement and modeling of short and medium range order in amorphous Ta 2O 5 thin films

    DOE PAGES

    Shyam, Badri; Stone, Kevin H.; Bassiri, Riccardo; ...

    2016-08-26

    Here, amorphous films and coatings are rapidly growing in importance. Yet, there is a dearth of high-quality structural data on sub-micron films. Not understanding how these materials assemble at atomic scale limits fundamental insights needed to improve their performance. Here, we use grazing-incidence x-ray total scattering measurements to examine the atomic structure of the top 50–100 nm of Ta 2O 5 films; mirror coatings that show high promise to significantly improve the sensitivity of the next generation of gravitational-wave detectors. Our measurements show noticeable changes well into medium range, not only between crystalline and amorphous, but also between as-deposited, annealedmore » and doped amorphous films. It is a further challenge to quickly translate the structural information into insights into mechanisms of packing and disorder. Here, we illustrate a modeling approach that allows translation of observed structural features to a physically intuitive packing of a primary structural unit based on a kinked Ta-O-Ta backbone. Our modeling illustrates how Ta-O-Ta units link to form longer 1D chains and even 2D ribbons, and how doping and annealing influences formation of 2D order. We also find that all the amorphousTa 2O 5 films studied in here are not just poorly crystalline but appear to lack true 3D order.« less

  19. Gate oxide thickness dependence of the leakage current mechanism in Ru/Ta2O5/SiON/Si structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ťapajna, M.; Paskaleva, A.; Atanassova, E.; Dobročka, E.; Hušeková, K.; Fröhlich, K.

    2010-07-01

    Leakage conduction mechanisms in Ru/Ta2O5/SiON/Si structures with rf-sputtered Ta2O5 with thicknesses ranging from 13.5 to 1.8 nm were systematically studied. Notable reaction at the Ru/Ta2O5 interface was revealed by capacitance-voltage measurements. Temperature-dependent current-voltage characteristics suggest the bulk-limited conduction mechanism in all metal-oxide-semiconductor structures. Under gate injection, Poole-Frenkel emission was identified as a dominant mechanism for 13.5 nm thick Ta2O5. With an oxide thickness decreasing down to 3.5 nm, the conduction mechanism transforms to thermionic trap-assisted tunnelling through the triangular barrier. Under substrate injection, the dominant mechanism gradually changes with decreasing thickness from thermionic trap-assisted tunnelling to trap-assisted tunnelling through the triangular barrier; Poole-Frenkel emission was not observed at all. A 0.7 eV deep defect level distributed over Ta2O5 is assumed to be responsible for bulk-limited conduction mechanisms and is attributed to H-related defects or oxygen vacancies in Ta2O5.

  20. Diffusion studies and critical current in superconducting Nb-Ti-Ta artificial pinning center wire

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bormio-Nunes, C.; Gomes, P. M. N.; Tirelli, M. A.; Ghivelder, L.

    2005-08-01

    The diffusion between Nb-20%Ta (wt %) and pure Ti is studied at temperatures of 973, 1023, and 1073K, for duration times among 25 and 121h in an artificial pinning center (APC) wire composed of a Ti core surrounded by a Nb-20%Ta layer. The produced diffusion layer is a ternary alloy with superconducting properties, such as critical field Bc2 and critical current density JC, which intrinsically depend on the layer composition. Measurements of layer morphology and composition were performed, and the results show a preferential diffusion of Nb and Ta into Ti. There is a slight diffusion of Ti into Nb through grain boundaries. The presence of Ta also slows down the diffusion of Nb in Ti if compared to the couple formed by pure Nb and Ti. Regarding the mechanical properties of the composite wire, the use of lower temperatures to form the ternary phase is desirable in order to avoid a larger portion of the diffusion layer rich in Ti that favorites α-Ti precipitations that are detrimental to the wire ductility. The best JC value was obtained for the sample heat treated at 973K. The improvement of the flux-line pinning was associated with a sharp change of the diffusion layer composition rather than pinning by normal layer interfaces, suggesting a new source of pinning in this kind of material. Nb-Ti-Ta ternary alloys have the potential to be used in superconducting magnets when fields above 12T are required.

  1. Czochralski growth of 2 in. Ca3Ta(Ga,Al)3Si2O14 single crystals for piezoelectric applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yoshikawa, Akira; Shoji, Yasuhiro; Ohashi, Yuji; Yokota, Yuui; Chani, Valery I.; Kitahara, Masanori; Kudo, Tetsuo; Kamada, Kei; Kurosawa, Shunsuke; Medvedev, Andrey; Kochurikhin, Vladimir

    2016-10-01

    Growth of 2-in. diameter Al-substituted Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 crystals by Czochralski method is reported. The crystals were grown from the melt of Ca3TaGa1.5Al1.5Si2O14 composition and had langasite structure. No inclusions of secondary phases were detected in these crystals. The Ca3Ta(Ga,Al)3Si2O14 mixed crystals produced using non-substituted Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 seeds were defective. They had cracks and/or poly-crystalline structure. However, those grown on the seed of approximately Ca3TaGa1.5Al1.5Si2O14 composition were defect-free. Phase diagram of the Ca3TaGa3Si2O14-Ca3TaAl3Si2O14 pseudo-binary system and segregation phenomenon are discussed in some details. Homogeneity of the crystals was evaluated by measuring 2D-mapping of leaky surface acoustic wave (LSAW) velocities for Y-cut Ca3TaGa1.5Al1.5Si2O14 substrate. Although some inhomogeneities were observed due to slight variations in chemical composition, the crystal had acceptable homogeneity for applications in acoustic wave devices exhibiting the LSAW velocity variation within ±0.048%.

  2. Characteristics of the Energetic Igniters Through Integrating B/Ti Nano-Multilayers on TaN Film Bridge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yan, YiChao; Shi, Wei; Jiang, HongChuan; Cai, XianYao; Deng, XinWu; Xiong, Jie; Zhang, WanLi

    2015-05-01

    The energetic igniters through integrating B/Ti nano-multilayers on tantalum nitride (TaN) ignition bridge are designed and fabricated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) results show that nitrogen content has a great influence on the crystalline structure and TCR. TaN films under nitrogen ratio of 0.99 % exhibit a near-zero TCR value of approximately 10 ppm/°C. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that the layered structure of the B/Ti multilayer films is clearly visible with sharp and smooth interfaces. The electrical explosion characteristics employing a capacitor discharge firing set at the optimized charging voltage of 45 V reveal an excellent explosion performance by (B/Ti) n /TaN integration film bridge with small ignition delay time, high explosion temperature, much more bright flash of light, and much large quantities of the ejected product particles than TaN film bridge.

  3. The Auxin Biosynthetic TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE RELATED TaTAR2.1-3A Increases Grain Yield of Wheat.

    PubMed

    Shao, An; Ma, Wenying; Zhao, Xueqiang; Hu, Mengyun; He, Xue; Teng, Wan; Li, Hui; Tong, Yiping

    2017-08-01

    Controlling the major auxin biosynthetic pathway to manipulate auxin content could be a target for genetic engineering of crops with desired traits, but little progress had been made because low or high auxin contents often cause developmental inhibition. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis of bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) to identify the Tryptophan Aminotransferase of Arabidopsis1/Tryptophan Aminotransferase-Related (TAA1/TAR) genes that function in the tryptophan-dependent pathway of auxin biosynthesis. Sequence mining together with gene cloning identified 15 TaTAR genes, among which 12 and three genes were phylogenetically close to Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) AtTAR2 and AtTAR3, respectively. TaTAR2.1 had the most abundant transcripts in the TaTAR2 genes and was expressed mainly in roots and up-regulated by low nitrogen (N) availability. Knockdown of TaTAR2.1 caused vegetative and reproductive deficiencies and impaired lateral root (LR) growth under both high- and low-N conditions. Overexpressing TaTAR2.1-3A in wheat enhanced LR branching, plant height, spike number, grain yield, and aerial N accumulation under different N supply levels. In addition, overexpressing TaTAR2.1-3A in Arabidopsis elevated auxin accumulation in the primary root tip, LR tip, LR primordia, and cotyledon and hypocotyl and increased primary root length, visible LR number, and shoot fresh weight under high- and low-N conditions. Our results indicate that TaTAR2.1 is critical for wheat growth and also shows potential for genetic engineering to reach the aim of improving the grain yield of wheat. © 2017 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

  4. Microstructure, Surface Characterization, and Electrochemical Behavior of New Ti-Zr-Ta-Ag Alloy in Simulated Human Electrolyte

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vasilescu, Cora; Drob, Silviu Iulian; Osiceanu, Petre; Moreno, Jose Maria Calderon; Prodana, Mariana; Ionita, Daniela; Demetrescu, Ioana; Marcu, Maria; Popovici, Ion Alexandru; Vasilescu, Ecaterina

    2017-01-01

    A new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy was elaborated and characterized regarding its microstructure, its native passive film composition and thickness, its surface wettability, its electrochemical behavior in Ringer solution of different pH values, and its ion release. The new alloy has a bi-phase, α + β, acicular, homogeneous microstructure (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). Its native passive film (12-nm thicknesses) consists of the protective TiO2, ZrO2, and Ta2O5 oxides, Ti and Ta suboxides, and metallic Ag (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data). The alloy possesses high hydrophilic properties. The main electrochemical parameters of the new alloy are superior to those of Ti as a result of the beneficial influence of Zr, Ta, and Ag alloying elements, which reinforce its native passive film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) spectra in Ringer solutions for the new alloy displayed better values of impedances and phase angles, proving a more insulate passive film than that on the Ti surface. The main corrosion parameters for the new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy are more favorable by about 25 to 38 times than those of Ti, confirming extremely resistant passive film. The new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy releases into Ringer solution low quantities of Ti4+, Zr4+ metallic ions (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS)). The Ag+ ions are released in low quantity, conferring to this alloy's low antibacterial activity. All experimental results show that the new Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy fulfills the requirements for biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and antibacterial protection.

  5. Band gap engineering of NaTaO3 using density functional theory: a charge compensated codoping strategy.

    PubMed

    Modak, Brindaban; Srinivasu, K; Ghosh, Swapan K

    2014-08-28

    In this theoretical study, we employ a codoping strategy to reduce the band gap of NaTaO3 aimed at improving the photocatalytic activity under visible light. The systematic study includes the effects of metal (W) and nonmetal (N) codoping on the electronic structure of NaTaO3 in comparison to the effect of individual dopants. The feasibility of the introduction of N into the NaTaO3 crystal structure is found to be enhanced in the presence of W, as indicated by the calculated formation energy. This codoping leads to formation of a charge compensated system, beneficial for the minimization of vacancy related defect formation. The electronic structure calculations have been carried out using a hybrid density functional for an accurate description of the proposed system. The introduction of W in place of Ta leads to the appearance of donor states below the conduction band, while N doping in place of oxygen introduces isolated acceptor states above the valence band. The codoping of N and W also passivates undesirable discrete midgap states. This feature is not observed in the case of (Cr, N) codoped NaTaO3 in spite of its charge compensated nature. We have also studied charge non-compensated codoping using several dopant pairs, including anion-anion and cation-anion pairs. However, this non-compensated codoping introduces localized states in between the valence band and the conduction band, and hence may not be effective in enhancing the photocatalytic properties of NaTaO3. The optical spectrum shows that the absorption curve for the (W, N)-codoped NaTaO3 is extended to the visible region due to narrowing of the band gap to 2.67 eV. Moreover, its activity for the photo decomposition of water to produce both H2 and O2 remains intact. Hence, based on the present investigation we can propose (W, N) codoped NaTaO3 as a promising photocatalyst for visible light driven water splitting.

  6. Substrate bias effects on composition and coercivity of CoCrTa/Cr thin films on canasite and glass

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Y.; Lambeth, D. N.; Sui, X.; Lee, L.-L.; Laughlin, D. E.

    1993-05-01

    CoCrTa/Cr thin films were prepared by rf diode sputtering onto canasite and glass substrates at various bias voltages from two targets of different compositions (Co82.8Cr14.6Ta2.6 and Co86Cr12Ta2). While Auger depth profile analysis indicates that there is some broadening at the CoCrTa-Cr interface, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy reveals that changes in alloy composition due to the resputtering processes are even more prominent. For both targets, as the substrate bias increases the Co content in the films declines, and the magnetization decreases. The maximum film coercivity appears to correlate to the final film composition. By investigating the results from both targets, it is concluded that the coercivity reaches a maximum when the film composition is in the neighborhood of Co84Cr13Ta3. Thus, to optimize the coercivity different bias voltages are required for each target. Excessive substrate bias, however, leads to films with low magnetization and coercivity.

  7. The microwave properties of Ag(Ta0.8Nb0.2)O3 thick film interdigital capacitors on alumina substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Ku-Tak; Koh, Jung-Hyuk

    2012-01-01

    In this paper, we will introduce the microwave properties of Ag(Ta0.8Nb0.2)O3 thick film planar type interdigital capacitors fabricated on alumina substrates. The tailored paraelectric state of Ag(Ta,Nb)O3 allows the material to be regarded as a part of the family of microwave materials. As thick films formed in our experiment, Ag(Ta,Nb)O3 exhibited extremely low dielectric loss with relatively high dielectric permittivity. This low dielectric loss is a very important issue for microwave applications. Therefore, we investigated the microwave properties of Ag(Ta0.8Nb0.2)O3 thick film planar type interdigital capacitors. Ag(Ta0.8Nb0.2)O3 thick films were prepared by a screen-printing method on alumina substrates and were sintered at 1140 °C for 2 hrs. The XRD analysis results showed that the Ag(Ta0.8Nb0.2)O3 thick film has the perovskite structure. The frequency dependent dielectric permittivity showed that these Ag(Ta0.8Nb0.2)O3 thick film planar type interdigital capacitors have very weak frequency dispersions with low loss tangents in the microwave range.

  8. Wheat Vacuolar Iron Transporter TaVIT2 Transports Fe and Mn and Is Effective for Biofortification.

    PubMed

    Connorton, James M; Jones, Eleanor R; Rodríguez-Ramiro, Ildefonso; Fairweather-Tait, Susan; Uauy, Cristobal; Balk, Janneke

    2017-08-01

    Increasing the intrinsic nutritional quality of crops, known as biofortification, is viewed as a sustainable approach to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies. In particular, iron deficiency anemia is a major global health issue, but the iron content of staple crops such as wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) is difficult to change because of genetic complexity and homeostasis mechanisms. To identify target genes for the biofortification of wheat, we functionally characterized homologs of the VACUOLAR IRON TRANSPORTER ( VIT ). The wheat genome contains two VIT paralogs, TaVIT1 and TaVIT2 , which have different expression patterns but are both low in the endosperm. TaVIT2, but not TaVIT1, was able to rescue the growth of a yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) mutant defective in vacuolar iron transport. TaVIT2 also complemented a manganese transporter mutant but not a vacuolar zinc transporter mutant. By overexpressing TaVIT2 under the control of an endosperm-specific promoter, we achieved a greater than 2-fold increase in iron in white flour fractions, exceeding minimum legal fortification levels in countries such as the United Kingdom. The antinutrient phytate was not increased and the iron in the white flour fraction was bioavailable in vitro, suggesting that food products made from the biofortified flour could contribute to improved iron nutrition. The single-gene approach impacted minimally on plant growth and also was effective in barley ( Hordeum vulgare ). Our results show that by enhancing vacuolar iron transport in the endosperm, this essential micronutrient accumulated in this tissue, bypassing existing homeostatic mechanisms. © 2017 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

  9. Overexpression of wheat ferritin gene TaFER-5B enhances tolerance to heat stress and other abiotic stresses associated with the ROS scavenging.

    PubMed

    Zang, Xinshan; Geng, Xiaoli; Wang, Fei; Liu, Zhenshan; Zhang, Liyuan; Zhao, Yue; Tian, Xuejun; Ni, Zhongfu; Yao, Yingyin; Xin, Mingming; Hu, Zhaorong; Sun, Qixin; Peng, Huiru

    2017-01-14

    The yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an important crop, is adversely affected by heat stress in many regions of the world. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying thermotolerance are largely unknown. A novel ferritin gene, TaFER, was identified from our previous heat stress-responsive transcriptome analysis of a heat-tolerant wheat cultivar (TAM107). TaFER was mapped to chromosome 5B and named TaFER-5B. Expression pattern analysis revealed that TaFER-5B was induced by heat, polyethylene glycol (PEG), H 2 O 2 and Fe-ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxyphenylacetic) acid (Fe-EDDHA). To confirm the function of TaFER-5B in wheat, TaFER-5B was transformed into the wheat cultivar Jimai5265 (JM5265), and the transgenic plants exhibited enhanced thermotolerance. To examine whether the function of ferritin from mono- and dico-species is conserved, TaFER-5B was transformed into Arabidopsis, and overexpression of TaFER-5B functionally complemented the heat stress-sensitive phenotype of a ferritin-lacking mutant of Arabidopsis. Moreover, TaFER-5B is essential for protecting cells against heat stress associated with protecting cells against ROS. In addition, TaFER-5B overexpression also enhanced drought, oxidative and excess iron stress tolerance associated with the ROS scavenging. Finally, TaFER-5B transgenic Arabidopsis and wheat plants exhibited improved leaf iron content. Our results suggest that TaFER-5B plays an important role in enhancing tolerance to heat stress and other abiotic stresses associated with the ROS scavenging.

  10. The Na(+) transporter, TaHKT1;5-D, limits shoot Na(+) accumulation in bread wheat.

    PubMed

    Byrt, Caitlin Siobhan; Xu, Bo; Krishnan, Mahima; Lightfoot, Damien James; Athman, Asmini; Jacobs, Andrew Keith; Watson-Haigh, Nathan S; Plett, Darren; Munns, Rana; Tester, Mark; Gilliham, Matthew

    2014-11-01

    Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has a major salt tolerance locus, Kna1, responsible for the maintenance of a high cytosolic K(+) /Na(+) ratio in the leaves of salt stressed plants. The Kna1 locus encompasses a large DNA fragment, the distal 14% of chromosome 4DL. Limited recombination has been observed at this locus making it difficult to map genetically and identify the causal gene. Here, we decipher the function of TaHKT1;5-D, a candidate gene underlying the Kna1 locus. Transport studies using the heterologous expression systems Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Xenopus laevis oocytes indicated that TaHKT1;5-D is a Na(+) -selective transporter. Transient expression in Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll protoplasts and in situ polymerase chain reaction indicated that TaHKT1;5-D is localised on the plasma membrane in the wheat root stele. RNA interference-induced silencing decreased the expression of TaHKT1;5-D in transgenic bread wheat lines which led to an increase in the Na(+) concentration in the leaves. This indicates that TaHKT1;5-D retrieves Na(+) from the xylem vessels in the root and has an important role in restricting the transport of Na(+) from the root to the leaves in bread wheat. Thus, TaHKT1;5-D confers the essential salinity tolerance mechanism in bread wheat associated with the Kna1 locus via shoot Na(+) exclusion and is critical in maintaining a high K(+) /Na(+) ratio in the leaves. These findings show there is potential to increase the salinity tolerance of bread wheat by manipulation of HKT1;5 genes. © 2014 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  11. "Forest Grove School District v. T.A." Supreme Court Case: Implications for School Psychology Practice

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dixon, Shauna G.; Eusebio, Eleazar C.; Turton, William J.; Wright, Peter W. D.; Hale, James B.

    2011-01-01

    The 2009 "Forest Grove School District v. T.A." United States Supreme Court case could have significant implications for school psychology practice. The Court ruled that the parents of a student with a disability were entitled to private school tuition reimbursement even though T.A. had not been identified with a disability or previously…

  12. Effect of impurities of selenium and iron on the Anderson localization of 1T-TaS 2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ōnuki, Y.; Inada, R.; Tanuma, S.

    1980-01-01

    The temperature dependence of electrical resistivities θ( T) of 1T-TaS 2, 1T-TaS 2- xSe x and 1T-Fe xTa 1- xS 2 is found to be θ( T) ∝ exp( T0/ T) 1/n in the temperature range of 4 K to the measured lowest temperature, 0.1 K, showing the variable range hopping of Anderson localized states. The n-value is nearly 3 for selenium doping and nearly 2 for non-doping and iron doping. The positive magnetoresistance, which is sizable only in the temperature range of 2 K to 0.5 K in 1T-TaS 2, is found to be remarkably enhanced by the selenium doping, while the tendency is reversed by the iron doping.

  13. Development of W-Ta generator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1981-01-01

    This research program was used to further develop the existing W-Ta generator and to evaluate alternative adsorbents, preferably inorganic materials, as supports for the generator. During the first half year, combinations of non-complexing eluents and a variety of adsorbents, both inorganic and organic, were evaluated. Some of these adsorbents were synthetic, such as chelate resins that could be specific for tungsten. In the second half of the year, the stress was mainly on the use of complexing eluents because of the high affinity of hydrous oxides for tantalum, on the synthesis of chelate resins and on the use novel techniques (electrolytic) to solve the tantalum-adsorption problem.

  14. Tribological Behaviour of Ti:Ta-DLC Films Under Different Tribo-Test Conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Efeoglu, İhsan; Keleş, Ayşenur; Totik, Yaşar; Çiçek, Hikmet; Emine Süküroglu, Ebru

    2018-01-01

    Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are suitable applicants for cutting tools due to their high hardness, low friction coefficient and wear rate. Doping metals in DLC films have been improved its tribological properties. In this study, titanium and tantalum doped hydrogenated DLC films were deposited by closed-field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system onto M2 high speed steels in Ar/N2/C2H2 atmosphere. The friction and wear properties of Ti:Ta-DLC film were investigated under different tribo-test conditions including in atmospheric pressure, distilled water, commercial oil and Ar atmosphere. The coated specimens were characterized by SEM and X-ray diffraction techniques. The bonding state of C-C (sp3) and C=C (sp2) were obtained with XPS. The tribological properties of Ti:Ta-DLC were investigated with pin-on-disc wear test. Hardness measurements performed by micro-indentation. Our results suggest that Ti:Ta-doped DLC film shows very dense columnar microstructure, high hardness (38.2 GPa) with low CoF (µ≈0.02) and high wear resistance (0.5E-6 mm3/Nm).

  15. TA-54 (Area G) Risk Assessment from Extreme Wildfire Scenarios

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Linn, Rodman Ray; Koo, Eunmo; Honig, Kristen Ann

    2016-08-10

    Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and surrounding areas have been exposed to at least four significant wildfires since 1977 and there have been numerous others within 50 miles of LANL. Based on this history, wildfires are considered a risk to LANL facilities and their contents. While many LANL facilities are at risk to wildfire to some degree, they are found in a wide variety of conditions, thus they have varying sensitivities to wildfires. Additionally, LANL facilities have various functions and different assets, so they have a wide range of values or consequences if compromised. Therefore, determining the risks and precautionsmore » that are warranted to mitigate these risks must be done on a case-by-case basis. In an effort to assess possible wildfire risks to sensitive materials stored in a Perma-Con ® in dome TA-54-0375, a conventional fire risk analysis was performed. This conventional risk analysis is documented in Engineering Evaluation Form AP-FIRE-001-FM1, which is dated 9/28/2015 and was titled ‘Wildland Fire Exposure Evaluation for Building TA-54-0375’ (Hall 2015). This analysis acknowledged that there was significant chance of wildfire in the vicinity of TA-54-0375, but the amount of combustible material surrounding the building was deemed low. The wildland fuels that were closest to the building were largely fine fuels and were not expected to have significant duration of heat release. The prevailing winds at this location are from the south and southwest and the nearest significant upwind fuels (tree crowns or unmown grasses) are at least 300 feet away. Based on these factors the conventional wildland fire risk to TA-54-0375 was deemed minimal, “Acceptable As Is, No Action Required.” This risk evaluation was based on a combined assessment of low probability of wildfires arriving at the site from other directions (where higher fuel loadings might be present) as well as the effective setback of fuels in the direction that fire is

  16. Microsolvation effect and hydrogen-bonding pattern of taurine-water TA-(H2O)n (n = 1-3) complexes.

    PubMed

    Dai, Yumei; Wang, Yuhua; Huang, Zhengguo; Wang, Hongke; Yu, Lei

    2012-01-01

    The microsolvation of taurine (TA) with one, two or three water molecules was investigated by a density functional theory (DFT) approach. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analyses were employed to elucidate the hydrogen bond (H-bond) interaction characteristics in TA-(H(2)O)(n) (n = 1-3) complexes. The results showed that the intramolecular H-bond formed between the hydroxyl and the N atom of TA are retained in most TA-(H(2)O)(n) (n = 1-3) complexes, and are strengthened via cooperative effects among multiple H-bonds from n = 1-3. A trend of proton transformation exists from the hydroxyl to the N atom, which finally results in the cleavage of the origin intramolecular H-bond and the formation of a new intramolecular H-bond between the amino and the O atom of TA. Therefore, the most stable TA-(H(2)O)(3) complex becomes a zwitterionic complex rather than a neutral type. A many-body interaction analysis showed that the major contributors to the binding energies for complexes are the two-body energies, while three-body energies and relaxation energies make significant contributions to the binding energies for some complexes, whereas the four-body energies are too small to be significant.

  17. A novel perovskite-like Ta-bronze KTa1+zO3: preparation, stoichiometry, conductivity and crystal structure studies.

    PubMed

    Arakcheeva, A; Chapuis, G; Grinevitch, V; Shamray, V

    2001-04-01

    A new cubic Ta-bronze (1) KTa(1+z)(+(5-delta))O(3) [z approximately 0.107 (3)] was obtained on a cathode by molten salt electrolysis of the system K(2)TaOF(5)-K(3)TaO(2)F(4)-(KF + NaF + LiF)(eutectic). Black, metallic cubic crystals of (1) are formed together with tetragonal beta-Ta. The perovskite-like crystal structure of (1) [a = 4.005 (1) A, space group Pm3m] was refined with anharmonic displacement parameters for Ta and K atoms and anisotropic displacement parameters for a split O-atom position [KM4CCD diffractometer; lambda(Mo Kalpha); 3320 measured reflections with I > 3sigma(I); R = 0.0095, wR = 0.0065, Deltarho(min) = -0.91 e A(-3), Deltarho(max) = 0.65 e A(-3)]. Defects in the O and K atomic positions were found. (1) is a semiconductor in the temperature range 4-300 K, whereas the well studied and closely related colourless transparent crystals KTa(+5)O(3) (2) are dielectric. Differences in the properties of (1) and (2) are assumed to be connected with the existence of Ta dumb-bells statistically distributed into the KTaO(3) matrix.

  18. Thickness effect of ultra-thin Ta2O5 resistance switching layer in 28 nm-diameter memory cell

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, Tae Hyung; Song, Seul Ji; Kim, Hae Jin; Kim, Soo Gil; Chung, Suock; Kim, Beom Yong; Lee, Kee Jeung; Kim, Kyung Min; Choi, Byung Joon; Hwang, Cheol Seong

    2015-11-01

    Resistance switching (RS) devices with ultra-thin Ta2O5 switching layer (0.5-2.0 nm) with a cell diameter of 28 nm were fabricated. The performance of the devices was tested by voltage-driven current—voltage (I-V) sweep and closed-loop pulse switching (CLPS) tests. A Ta layer was placed beneath the Ta2O5 switching layer to act as an oxygen vacancy reservoir. The device with the smallest Ta2O5 thickness (0.5 nm) showed normal switching properties with gradual change in resistance in I-V sweep or CLPS and high reliability. By contrast, other devices with higher Ta2O5 thickness (1.0-2.0 nm) showed abrupt switching with several abnormal behaviours, degraded resistance distribution, especially in high resistance state, and much lower reliability performance. A single conical or hour-glass shaped double conical conducting filament shape was conceived to explain these behavioural differences that depended on the Ta2O5 switching layer thickness. Loss of oxygen via lateral diffusion to the encapsulating Si3N4/SiO2 layer was suggested as the main degradation mechanism for reliability, and a method to improve reliability was also proposed.

  19. Enhanced oxygen vacancy diffusion in Ta2O5 resistive memory devices due to infinitely adaptive crystal structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Hao; Stewart, Derek A.

    2016-04-01

    Metal oxide resistive memory devices based on Ta2O5 have demonstrated high switching speed, long endurance, and low set voltage. However, the physical origin of this improved performance is still unclear. Ta2O5 is an important archetype of a class of materials that possess an adaptive crystal structure that can respond easily to the presence of defects. Using first principles nudged elastic band calculations, we show that this adaptive crystal structure leads to low energy barriers for in-plane diffusion of oxygen vacancies in λ phase Ta2O5. Identified diffusion paths are associated with collective motion of neighboring atoms. The overall vacancy diffusion is anisotropic with higher diffusion barriers found for oxygen vacancy movement between Ta-O planes. Coupled with the fact that oxygen vacancy formation energy in Ta2O5 is relatively small, our calculated low diffusion barriers can help explain the low set voltage in Ta2O5 based resistive memory devices. Our work shows that other oxides with adaptive crystal structures could serve as potential candidates for resistive random access memory devices. We also discuss some general characteristics for ideal resistive RAM oxides that could be used in future computational material searches.

  20. Oxidation of ZrB2-and HfB2-Based Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics: Effects of Ta Additions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Opila, Elizabeth; Levine, Stanley; Lorinez, Jonathan

    2003-01-01

    Several compositions of ZrB2- and HfB2-based Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC) were oxidized in stagnant air at 1627 C in ten minute cycles for times up to 100 minutes. These compositions include: ZrB2 - 20v% SiC, HfB2 - 20v% SiC, ZrB2 - 20v% SiC - 20v% TaSi2, ZrB2 - 33v% SiC, HfB2 - 20v% SiC - 20v% TaSi2, and ZrB2 - 20v% SiC - 20v% TaC. The weight change due to oxidation was recorded. The ZrB2 - 20v% SiC - 20v% TaSi2 composition was also oxidized in stagnant air at 1927 C and in an arc jet atmosphere. Samples were analyzed after oxidation by x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine the reaction products and to observe the microstructure. The ZrB2 - 20v% SiC - 20v% TaSi2 showed the lowest oxidation rate at 1627 C, but performed poorly under the more extreme tests due to liquid phase formation. Effects of Ta-additions on the oxidation of the diboride-based UHTC are discussed.

  1. Overexpression of wheat lipid transfer protein gene TaLTP5 increases resistances to Cochliobolus sativus and Fusarium graminearum in transgenic wheat.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Xiuliang; Li, Zhao; Xu, Huijun; Zhou, Miaoping; Du, Lipu; Zhang, Zengyan

    2012-08-01

    The fungus Cochliobolus sativus is the main pathogen of common root rot, a serious soil-borne disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The fungus Fusarium graminearum is the primary pathogen of Fusarium head blight, a devastating disease of wheat worldwide. In this study, the wheat lipid transfer protein gene, TaLTP5, was cloned and evaluated for its ability to suppress disease development in transgenic wheat. TaLTP5 expression was induced after C. sativus infection. The TaLTP5 expression vector, pA25-TaLTP5, was constructed and bombarded into Chinese wheat variety Yangmai 18. Six TaLTP5 transgenic wheat lines were established and characterized. PCR and Southern blot analyses indicated that the introduced TaLTP5 gene was integrated into the genomes of six transgenic wheat lines by distinct patterns, and heritable. RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the TaLTP5 gene was over-expressed in the transgenic wheat lines compared to segregants lacking the transgene and wild-type wheat plants. Following challenge with C. sativus or F. graminearum, all six transgenic lines overexpressing TaLTP5 exhibited significantly enhanced resistance to both common root rot and Fusarium head blight compared to the untransformed wheat Yangmai 18.

  2. Senary refractory high-entropy alloy HfNbTaTiVZr

    DOE PAGES

    Gao, Michael C.; Zhang, B.; Yang, S.; ...

    2015-09-03

    Discovery of new single-phase high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is important to understand HEA formation mechanisms. The present study reports computational design and experimental validation of a senary HEA, HfNbTaTiVZr, in a body-centered cubic structure. The phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of this senary system were modeled using the CALPHAD method. Its atomic structure and diffusion constants were studied using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Here, the microstructure of the as-cast HfNbTaTiVZr alloy was studied using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and the microsegregation in the as-cast state was found to qualitatively agree with the solidification predictions from CALPHAD. Supported bymore » both simulation and experimental results, the HEA formation rules are discussed.« less

  3. Ta1, a novel 105 KD human T cell activation antigen defined by a monoclonal antibody.

    PubMed

    Fox, D A; Hussey, R E; Fitzgerald, K A; Acuto, O; Poole, C; Palley, L; Daley, J F; Schlossman, S F; Reinherz, E L

    1984-09-01

    By using a murine monoclonal antibody produced against an IL 2-dependent human T cell line, we defined a T lineage-specific molecule, termed Ta1, that is expressed strongly on activated T lymphocytes of both the T4 and T8 subsets, as well as on T cell lines and clones, but only weakly on a fraction of resting T cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of immunoprecipitates from 125I-labeled, activated T cells demonstrates a single major band of apparent m.w. 105 KD under both reducing and nonreducing conditions. Unlike anti-IL 2 receptor antibodies, anti-Ta1 does not inhibit T cell proliferative responses to mitogen, antigen, or IL 2-containing medium. Moreover, anti-Ta1 has no effect on T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Ta1 appears to be a novel human T cell-specific activation antigen that may serve as a useful marker of T cell activation in human disease.

  4. Pressure-induced amorphization in orthorhombic Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}: An intrinsic character of crystal

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Quanjun; Zhang, Huafang; Cheng, Benyuan

    2014-05-21

    The phase transition of orthorhombic Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} was investigated by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The orthorhombic phase transforms into an amorphous form completely at 24.7 GPa. A bulk modulus B{sub 0} = 139 (9) GPa for the orthorhombic Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} is derived from the P-V data. We suggest that the pressure-induced amorphization (PIA) in Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} can be attributed to the unstability of the a axis under high pressure leads to the connections of polyhedral breaking down and even triggers disorder of the whole crystal frame. These results demonstrate that the PIA is an intrinsic charactermore » of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} which depends on its orthorhombic crystal structure rather than nanosize effects. This study provides a new kind of bulk material for investigating PIA in metal oxides.« less

  5. Characteristics of the Energetic Igniters Through Integrating B/Ti Nano-Multilayers on TaN Film Bridge.

    PubMed

    Yan, YiChao; Shi, Wei; Jiang, HongChuan; Cai, XianYao; Deng, XinWu; Xiong, Jie; Zhang, WanLi

    2015-12-01

    The energetic igniters through integrating B/Ti nano-multilayers on tantalum nitride (TaN) ignition bridge are designed and fabricated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) results show that nitrogen content has a great influence on the crystalline structure and TCR. TaN films under nitrogen ratio of 0.99 % exhibit a near-zero TCR value of approximately 10 ppm/°C. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that the layered structure of the B/Ti multilayer films is clearly visible with sharp and smooth interfaces. The electrical explosion characteristics employing a capacitor discharge firing set at the optimized charging voltage of 45 V reveal an excellent explosion performance by (B/Ti) n /TaN integration film bridge with small ignition delay time, high explosion temperature, much more bright flash of light, and much large quantities of the ejected product particles than TaN film bridge.

  6. Quantitative Proteomics of the Root of Transgenic Wheat Expressing TaBWPR-1.2 Genes in Response to Waterlogging.

    PubMed

    Haque, Emdadul; Abe, Fumitaka; Mori, Masahiko; Nanjo, Yohei; Komatsu, Setsuko; Oyanagi, Atsushi; Kawaguchi, Kentaro

    2014-11-04

    Once candidate genes are available, the application of genetic transformation plays a major part to study their function in plants for adaptation to respective environmental stresses, including waterlogging (WL). The introduction of stress-inducible genes into wheat remains difficult because of low transformation and plant regeneration efficiencies and expression variability and instability. Earlier, we found two cDNAs encoding WL stress-responsive wheat pathogenesis-related proteins 1.2 ( TaBWPR-1.2 ), TaBWPR-1.2#2 and TaBWPR-1.2# 13. Using microprojectile bombardment, both cDNAs were introduced into "Bobwhite". Despite low transformation efficiency, four independent T₂ homozygous lines for each gene were isolated, where transgenes were ubiquitously and variously expressed. The highest transgene expression was obtained in Ubi: TaBWPR-1.2#2 L#11a and Ubi:TaBWPR-1.2#13 L#4a. Using quantitative proteomics, the root proteins of L#11a were analyzed to explore possible physiological pathways regulated by TaBWPR-1.2 under normal and waterlogged conditions. In L#11a, the abundance of proteasome subunit alpha type-3 decreased under normal conditions, whereas that of ferredoxin precursor and elongation factor-2 increased under waterlogged conditions in comparison with normal plants. Proteomic results suggest that L#11a is one of the engineered wheat plants where TaBWPR-1.2#2 is most probably involved in proteolysis, protein synthesis and alteration in the energy pathway in root tissues via the above proteins in order to gain metabolic adjustment to WL.

  7. Large magnetoresistance induced by crystallographic defects in FexTaS2 single crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Chih-Wei; Morosan, Emilia; Morosan's Group Team

    The search for the materials that show large magnetoresistance and the mechanisms that induce it remains challenging in both experimental and theoretical aspects. The giant magnetoresistance in one class of materials, ferromagnetic conductors, is generally attributed to the misalignments of magnetic moments, which cause spin disorder scattering. Recently, very large magnetoresistance (>60 %) was discovered in the ferromagnetic Fe-intercalated transition metal dichalcogenide, Fe0.28TaS2 [Phys. Rev. B 91, 054426(2015)]. The mechanism that led to this large magnetoresistance was suggested to be due to the deviation of Fe concentration from commensurate values (1/4 or 1/3), which caused magnetic moments' misalignments. Here we report a study of FexTaS2 crystals with x close to the commensurate values. Our results qualitatively demonstrate that crystallographic defects significantly affect magnetoresistance in FexTaS2. This provides a way to search for large magnetoresistance in more intercalated transition metal dichalcogenides. This work is supported by the Department of Defense PECASE.

  8. Ta1722, an anti-angiogenesis inhibitor targeted on VEGFR-2 against human hepatoma.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Lei; He, Xu; Ma, Weina; Dai, Bingling; Zhan, Yingzhuan; Zhang, Yanmin

    2012-10-01

    In order to investigate the anti-angiogenesis potential and related mechanisms of Ta1722 (a novel taspine derivative compound), a series of experiments in vivo and in vitro were carried out. The proliferation on human cell lines of SMMC-7721, A549, MCF-7, Lovo, and ECV304 was examined by MTT. Angiogenesis inhibition was examined by chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis and tube formation assays. Related angiogenesis proteins and their mRNA expression were determined by western blotting and RT-PCR. In addition, the SMMC-7721 nude mouse xenotransplant model was used to evaluate the inhibition of tumor growth. The results showed that Ta1722 inhibited cell proliferation, angiogenesis of CAM and tube formation, and downregulated related positive angiogenesis proteins. The above indicated Ta1722 could serve as a promising candidate of angiogenesis inhibitors by interrupting the VEGF/VEGFR-2 pathway. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  9. Ectopic expression of a wheat WRKY transcription factor gene TaWRKY71-1 results in hyponastic leaves in Arabidopsis thaliana.

    PubMed

    Qin, Zhen; Lv, Hongjun; Zhu, Xinlei; Meng, Chen; Quan, Taiyong; Wang, Mengcheng; Xia, Guangmin

    2013-01-01

    Leaf type is an important trait that closely associates with crop yield. WRKY transcription factors exert diverse regulatory effects in plants, but their roles in the determination of leaf type have not been reported so far. In this work, we isolated a WRKY transcription factor gene TaWRKY71-1 from a wheat introgression line SR3, which has larger leaves, superior growth capacity and higher yield than its parent common wheat JN177. TaWRKY71-1 specifically expressed in leaves, and produced more mRNA in SR3 than in JN177. TaWRKY71-1 localized in the nucleus and had no transcriptional activation activity. TaWRKY71-1 overexpression in Arabidopsis resulted in hyponastic rosette leaves, and the hyponastic strength was closely correlative with the transcription level of the transgene. The spongy mesophyll cells at abaxial side of leaves were drastically compacted by TaWRKY71-1 overexpression. In TaWRKY71-1 overexpression Arabidopsis, the expression of IAMT1 that encodes a methyltransferase converting free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to methyl-IAA ester (MeIAA) to alter auxin homeostatic level was induced, and the induction level was dependent on the abundance of TaWRKY71-1 transcripts. Besides, several TCP genes that had found to be restricted by IAMT1 had lower expression levels as well. Our results suggest that TaWRKY71-1 causes hyponastic leaves through altering auxin homeostatic level by promoting the conversion of IAA to MeIAA.

  10. Feasibility study of Fe3O4/TaO x nanoparticles as a radiosensitizer for proton therapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahn, Sang Hee; Lee, Nohyun; Choi, Changhoon; Shin, Sung Won; Han, Youngyih; Park, Hee Chul

    2018-06-01

    We investigated the feasibility of using multifunctional Fe3O4/TaO x (core/shell) nanoparticles, developed for use in contrast agents for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as dose-enhancing radiosensitizers. First, to verify the detectability of Fe3O4/TaO x nanoparticles in imaging, in vivo tests were conducted. Approximately 600 mg kg‑1 of 19 nm-diameter Fe3O4/TaO x nanoparticles dispersed in phosphate-buffered saline was injected into the tail vein of six Balb/c mice used as tumour (4T1 mammary carcinoma cell) models. Three mice underwent MRI (BioSpec 70/20 USR, Bruker, Billerica, MA, USA) and micro-CT (Inveon, Siemens Preclinical, Knoxville, TN, USA) before and after the injection. The difference between the pre- and post-injection images was quantified by finding the correlation coefficient. The aorta, blood vessel, and liver were clearly seen in the MRI and micro-CT images 60 min after intravenous injection of Fe3O4/TaO x nanoparticles, but the tumour region was not visible in the CT images until after 24 h. There were large differences between the pre- and post-injection images. Second, the therapeutic enhancement dose of nanomaterials was computed via Monte Carlo simulation. Monoenergetic 70- and 150 MeV proton beams irradiated x-ray contrast agent (iodine, BaSO4), MRI contrast agent (gadolinium, Fe3O4), Au, Fe3O4/TaO x (core/shell) nanoparticles and water located at the centre of a 4  ×  4  ×  4 µm3 water phantom, upon which the dose enhancement ratio (DER) (dose with/without nanoparticles) was computed. When 70 MeV protons irradiated the Au, gadolinium, Fe3O4/TaO x , Fe3O4, iodine, and BaSO4 nanoparticles, the DERs at 1 nm were 15.76, 7.68, 7.82, 6.17, 4.85, and 5.51, respectively. Fe3O4/TaO x nanoparticles have the potential to be used as a multifunctional agent that enhances tumour detection and increases the dose. Dose enhancement with Fe3O4/TaO x was half that with Au. However, Fe3O4/TaO x is

  11. μ SR study of the noncentrosymmetric superconductor PbTaSe2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilson, M. N.; Hallas, A. M.; Cai, Y.; Guo, S.; Gong, Z.; Sankar, R.; Chou, F. C.; Uemura, Y. J.; Luke, G. M.

    2017-06-01

    We present muon spin rotation and relaxation (μ SR ) measurements on the noncentrosymmetric superconductor PbTaSe2. From measurements in an applied transverse field between Hc 1 and Hc 2, we extract the superfluid density as a function of temperature in the vortex state. These data can be fit with a fully gapped two-band model, consistent with previous evidence from ARPES, thermal conductivity, and resistivity. Furthermore, zero-field measurements show no evidence for a time-reversal symmetry-breaking field greater than 0.05 G in the superconducting state. This makes exotic fully gapped spin-triplet states unlikely, and hence we contend that PbTaSe2 is characterized by conventional BCS s -wave superconductivity in multiple bands.

  12. Adjustments of the TaD electron density reconstruction model with GNSS-TEC parameters for operational application purposes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kutiev, Ivan; Marinov, Pencho; Fidanova, Stefka; Belehaki, Anna; Tsagouri, Ioanna

    2012-12-01

    Validation results on the latest version of TaD model (TaDv2) show realistic reconstruction of the electron density profiles (EDPs) with an average error of 3 TECU, similar to the error obtained from GNSS-TEC calculated paremeters. The work presented here has the aim to further improve the accuracy of the TaD topside reconstruction, adjusting the TEC parameter calculated from TaD model with the TEC parameter calculated by GNSS transmitting RINEX files provided by receivers co-located with the Digisondes. The performance of the new version is tested during a storm period demonstrating further improvements in respect to the previous version. Statistical comparison of modeled and observed TEC confirms the validity of the proposed adjustment. A significant benefit of the proposed upgrade is that it facilitates the real-time implementation of TaD. The model needs a reliable measure of the scale height at the peak height, which is supposed to be provided by Digisondes. Oftenly, the automatic scaling software fails to correctly calculate the scale height at the peak, Hm, due to interferences in the receiving signal. Consequently the model estimated topside scale height is wrongly calculated leading to unrealistic results for the modeled EDP. The proposed TEC adjustment forces the model to correctly reproduce the topside scale height, despite the inaccurate values of Hm. This adjustment is very important for the application of TaD in an operational environment.

  13. Anti-biofouling function of amorphous nano-Ta2O5 coating for VO2-based intelligent windows.

    PubMed

    Li, Jinhua; Guo, Geyong; Wang, Jiaxing; Zhou, Huaijuan; Shen, Hao; Yeung, Kelvin W K

    2017-04-28

    From environmental and health perspectives, the acquisition of a surface anti-biofouling property holds important significance for the usability of VO 2 intelligent windows. Herein, we firstly deposited amorphous Ta 2 O 5 nanoparticles on VO 2 film by the magnetron sputtering method. It was found that the amorphous nano-Ta 2 O 5 coating possessed a favorable anti-biofouling capability against Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an environmental microorganism model, behind which lay the mechanism that the amorphous nano-Ta 2 O 5 could interrupt the microbial membrane electron transport chain and significantly elevate the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. A plausible relationship was established between the anti-biofouling activity and physicochemical nature of amorphous Ta 2 O 5 nanoparticles from the perspective of defect chemistry. ROS-induced oxidative damage gave rise to microbial viability loss. In addition, the amorphous nano-Ta 2 O 5 coating can endow VO 2 with favorable cytocompatibility with human skin fibroblasts. This study may provide new insights into understanding the anti-biofouling and antimicrobial actions of amorphous transition metal oxide nanoparticles, which is conducive to expanding their potential applications in environmental fields.

  14. Anti-biofouling function of amorphous nano-Ta2O5 coating for VO2-based intelligent windows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jinhua; Guo, Geyong; Wang, Jiaxing; Zhou, Huaijuan; Shen, Hao; Yeung, Kelvin W. K.

    2017-04-01

    From environmental and health perspectives, the acquisition of a surface anti-biofouling property holds important significance for the usability of VO2 intelligent windows. Herein, we firstly deposited amorphous Ta2O5 nanoparticles on VO2 film by the magnetron sputtering method. It was found that the amorphous nano-Ta2O5 coating possessed a favorable anti-biofouling capability against Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an environmental microorganism model, behind which lay the mechanism that the amorphous nano-Ta2O5 could interrupt the microbial membrane electron transport chain and significantly elevate the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. A plausible relationship was established between the anti-biofouling activity and physicochemical nature of amorphous Ta2O5 nanoparticles from the perspective of defect chemistry. ROS-induced oxidative damage gave rise to microbial viability loss. In addition, the amorphous nano-Ta2O5 coating can endow VO2 with favorable cytocompatibility with human skin fibroblasts. This study may provide new insights into understanding the anti-biofouling and antimicrobial actions of amorphous transition metal oxide nanoparticles, which is conducive to expanding their potential applications in environmental fields.

  15. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan - TA-60 Material Recycling Facility

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sandoval, Leonard Frank

    This Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) was developed in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§1251 et seq., as amended), and the Multi-Sector General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (U.S. EPA, June 2015) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and using the industry specific permit requirements for Sector P-Land Transportation and Warehousing as a guide. This SWPPP applies to discharges of stormwater from the operational areas of the TA- 60 Material Recycling Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamosmore » National Laboratory (also referred to as LANL or the “Laboratory”) is owned by the Department of Energy (DOE), and is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS). Throughout this document, the term “facility” refers to the TA-60 Material Recycling Facility. The current permit expires at midnight on June 4, 2020.« less

  16. Performance of the BG1Luc ER TA method in a qHTS format.

    PubMed

    Ceger, Patricia; Allen, David; Huang, Ruili; Xia, Menghang; Casey, Warren

    2015-01-01

    In 2012, the BG1Luc4E2 estrogen receptor (ER) transactivation (TA) method (BG1Luc ER TA) was accepted by U.S. regulatory agencies and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to detect substances with ER agonist activity. The method is now part of the Tier 1 testing battery in the Environmental Protection Agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. The BG1Luc ER TA method uses the BG1 ovarian cell line that endogenously expresses full-length ER (α and β) and is stably transfected with a plasmid containing four estrogen responsive elements upstream of a luciferase reporter gene. To allow increased throughput and testing efficiency, the BG1Luc ER TA ("BG1 manual") method was adapted for quantitative high-throughput screening (BG1 qHTS) in the U.S. Tox21 testing program. The BG1 qHTS test method was used to test approximately 10,000 chemicals three times each, and concentration-response data (n=15) were analyzed to evaluate test method performance. The balanced accuracy of the BG1 qHTS test method (97% [32/33]) was determined by comparing results to ER TA performance standards for the BG1 manual method. Concordance between the BG1 manual and qHTS methods was 92% (57/62) when calculated for a larger set of non-reference chemicals tested in both methods. These data demonstrate that the performance of the BG1 qHTS is similar to the currently accepted BG1 manual method, thereby establishing the utility of the BG1 qHTS method for identifying ER active environmental chemicals.

  17. Giant strain control of magnetoelectric effect in Ta|Fe|MgO

    PubMed Central

    Odkhuu, Dorj

    2016-01-01

    The exploration of electric field controlled magnetism has come under scrutiny for its intriguing magnetoelectric phenomenon as well as technological advances in spintronics. Herein, the tremendous effect of an epitaxial strain on voltage-controlled perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (VPMA) is demonstrated in a transition-metal|ferromagnet|MgO (TM|FM|MgO) heterostructure from first-principles electronic structure computation. By tuning the epitaxial strain in Ta|Fe|MgO as a model system of TM|FM|MgO, we find distinctly different behaviours of VPMA from V- to Λ-shape trends with a substantially large magnetoelectric coefficient, up to an order of 103 fJV−1m−1. We further reveal that the VPMA modulation under strain is mainly governed by the inherently large spin-orbit coupling of Ta 5d–Fe 3d hybridized orbitals at the TM|FM interface, although the Fe 3d–O 2p hybridization at the FM|MgO interface is partly responsible in determining the PMA of Ta|Fe|MgO. These results suggest that the control of epitaxial strain enables the engineering of VPMA, and provides physical insights for the divergent behaviors of VPMA and magnetoelectric coefficients found in TM|FM|MgO experiments. PMID:27597448

  18. Over-expression of TaMYB33 encoding a novel wheat MYB transcription factor increases salt and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Qin, Yuxiang; Wang, Mengcheng; Tian, Yanchen; He, Wenxing; Han, Lu; Xia, Guangmin

    2012-06-01

    Salt and drought stresses often adversely affect plant growth and productivity, MYB transcription factors have been shown to participate in the response to these stresses. Here we identified a new R2R3-type MYB transcription factor gene TaMYB33 from wheat (Triticum aestivum). TaMYB33 was induced by NaCl, PEG and ABA treatments, and its promoter sequence contains putative ABRE, MYB and other abiotic stress related cis-elements. Ectopic over-expression of TaMYB33 in Arabidopsis thaliana remarkably enhanced its tolerance to drought and NaCl stresses, but not to LiCl and KCl treatments. The expressions of AtP5CS and AtZAT12 which mirror the activities of proline and ascorbate peroxidase synthesis respectively were induced in TaMYB33 over-expression lines, indicating TaMYB33 promotes the ability for osmotic pressure balance-reconstruction and reactive oxidative species (ROS) scavenging. The up-regulation of AtAAO3 along with down-regulation of AtABF3, AtABI1 in TaMYB33 over-expression lines indicated that ABA synthesis was elevated while its signaling was restricted. These results suggest that TaMYB33 enhances salt and drought tolerance partially through superior ability for osmotic balance reconstruction and ROS detoxification.

  19. Ab initio calculations of ideal strength and lattice instability in W-Ta and W-Re alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Chaoming; Qi, Liang

    2018-01-01

    An important theoretical criterion to evaluate the ductility of metals with a body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice is the mechanical failure mode of their perfect crystals under tension along <;100 >; directions. When the tensile stress reaches the ideal tensile strength, the pure W crystal fails by a cleavage fracture along the {100 } plane so that it is intrinsically brittle. To discover the strategy to improve its ductility, we performed density functional theory and density functional perturbation theory calculations to study the ideal tensile strength and the lattice instability under <100 > tension for both W-Ta and W-Re alloys. Anisotropic linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) theory and Rice's criterion were also applied to analyze the mechanical instability at the crack tip under <100 > tension based on the competition between cleavage propagation and dislocation emission. The results show that the intrinsic ductility can be achieved in both W-Ta and W-Re, however, by different mechanisms. Even though W-Ta alloys with low Ta concentrations are still intrinsically brittle, the intrinsic ductility of W-Ta alloys with high Ta concentrations is promoted by elastic shear instability before the cleavage failure. The intrinsic ductility of W-Re alloys is produced by unstable transverse phonon waves before the cleavage failure, and the corresponding phonon mode is related to the generation of 1/2 <111 > {2 ¯11 } dislocation in bcc crystals. The ideal tensile calculations, phonon analyses, and anisotropic LEFM examinations are mutually consistent in the evaluation of intrinsic ductility. These results bring us physical insights on the ductility-brittle mechanisms of W alloys under extreme stress conditions.

  20. The preparation and photocatalytic activity of CdS/(Cal-Ta2O5-SiO2) composite photocatalyst under visible light

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Juxia

    2018-02-01

    CdS/(Cal-Ta2O5-SiO2) composite photocatalyst has been successfully fabricated via wet chemistry method. Ta2O5-SiO2 with multi-step Ta2O5 deposition on SiO2 has more Ta2O5 on SiO2 to ensure the active sites. Trough multi-step calcination, Ta2O5 can load on SiO2 with uniform and stable, which make it have high photocatalytic activity. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Without any co-catalysts, the as-prepared CdS/(Cal-Ta2O5-SiO2) exhibited remarkable photocatalytic activity and recyclability both in the degradation of rhodamine B and in the hydrogen production from water splitting under visible light.

  1. The wheat NB-LRR gene TaRCR1 is required for host defence response to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Xiuliang; Lu, Chungui; Du, Lipu; Ye, Xingguo; Liu, Xin; Coules, Anne; Zhang, Zengyan

    2017-06-01

    The necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia cerealis is the major pathogen causing sharp eyespot disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) proteins often mediate plant disease resistance to biotrophic pathogens. Little is known about the role of NB-LRR genes involved in wheat response to R. cerealis. In this study, a wheat NB-LRR gene, named TaRCR1, was identified in response to R. cerealis infection using Artificial Neural Network analysis based on comparative transcriptomics and its defence role was characterized. The transcriptional level of TaRCR1 was enhanced after R. cerealis inoculation and associated with the resistance level of wheat. TaRCR1 was located on wheat chromosome 3BS and encoded an NB-LRR protein that was consisting of a coiled-coil domain, an NB-ARC domain and 13 imperfect leucine-rich repeats. TaRCR1 was localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Silencing of TaRCR1 impaired wheat resistance to R. cerealis, whereas TaRCR1 overexpression significantly increased the resistance in transgenic wheat. TaRCR1 regulated certain reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging and production, and defence-related genes, and peroxidase activity. Furthermore, H 2 O 2 pretreatment for 12-h elevated expression levels of TaRCR1 and the above defence-related genes, whereas treatment with a peroxidase inhibitor for 12 h reduced the resistance of TaRCR1-overexpressing transgenic plants and expression levels of these defence-related genes. Taken together, TaRCR1 positively contributes to defence response to R. cerealis through maintaining ROS homoeostasis and regulating the expression of defence-related genes. © 2016 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  2. TaC-coated graphite prepared via a wet ceramic process: Application to CVD susceptors for epitaxial growth of wide-bandgap semiconductors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakamura, Daisuke; Kimura, Taishi; Narita, Tetsuo; Suzumura, Akitoshi; Kimoto, Tsunenobu; Nakashima, Kenji

    2017-11-01

    A novel sintered tantalum carbide coating (SinTaC) prepared via a wet ceramic process is proposed as an approach to reducing the production cost and improving the crystal quality of bulk-grown crystals and epitaxially grown films of wide-bandgap semiconductors. Here, we verify the applicability of the SinTaC components as susceptors for chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-SiC and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)-GaN epitaxial growth in terms of impurity incorporation from the SinTaC layers and also clarify the surface-roughness controllability of SinTaC layers and its advantage in CVD applications. The residual impurity elements in the SinTaC layers were confirmed to not severely incorporate into the CVD-SiC and MOCVD-GaN epilayers grown using the SinTaC susceptors. The quality of the epilayers was also confirmed to be equivalent to that of epilayers grown using conventional susceptors. Furthermore, the surface roughness of the SinTaC components was controllable over a wide range of average roughness (0.4 ≤ Ra ≤ 5 μm) and maximum height roughness (3 ≤ Rz ≤ 36 μm) through simple additional surface treatment procedures, and the surface-roughened SinTaC susceptor fabricated using these procedures was predicted to effectively reduce thermal stress on epi-wafers. These results confirm that SinTaC susceptors are applicable to epitaxial growth processes and are advantageous over conventional susceptor materials for reducing the epi-cost and improving the quality of epi-wafers.

  3. Geology of the Western Part of Los Alamos National Laboratory (TA-3 to TA-16), Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    C.J.Lewis; A.Lavine; S.L.Reneau

    2002-12-01

    We present data that elucidate the stratigraphy, geomorphology, and structure in the western part of Los Alamos National Laboratory between Technical Areas 3 and 16 (TA-3 and TA-16). Data include those gathered by geologic mapping of surficial, post-Bandelier Tuff strata, conventional and high-precision geologic mapping and geochemical analysis of cooling units within the Bandelier Tuff, logging of boreholes and a gas pipeline trench, and structural analysis using profiles, cross sections, structure contour maps, and stereographic projections. This work contributes to an improved understanding of the paleoseismic and geomorphic history of the area, which will aid in future seismic hazard evaluationsmore » and other investigations. The study area lies at the base of the main, 120-m (400-ft) high escarpment formed by the Pajarito fault, an active fault of the Rio Grande rift that bounds Los Alamos National Laboratory on the west. Subsidiary fracturing, faulting, and folding associated with the Pajarito fault zone extends at least 1,500 m (5,000 ft) to the east of the main Pajarito fault escarpment. Stratigraphic units in the study area include upper units of the Tshirege Member of the early Pleistocene Bandelier Tuff, early Pleistocene alluvial fan deposits that predate incision of canyons on this part of the Pajarito Plateau, and younger Pleistocene and Holocene alluvium and colluvium that postdate drainage incision. We discriminate four sets of structures in the area between TA-3 and TA-16: (a) north-striking faults and folds that mark the main zone of deformation, including a graben in the central part of the study area; (b) north-northwest-striking fractures and rare faults that bound the eastern side of the principal zone of deformation and may be the surface expression of deep-seated faulting; (c) rare northeast-striking structures near the northern limit of the area associated with the southern end of the Rendija Canyon fault; and (d) several small east

  4. Ionizing radiation effects on electrical and reliability characteristics of sputtered Ta2O5/Si interface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rao, Ashwath; Verma, Ankita; Singh, B. R.

    2015-06-01

    This paper describes the effect of ionizing radiation on the interface properties of Al/Ta2O5/Si metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors using capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The devices were irradiated with X-rays at different doses ranging from 100 rad to 1 Mrad. The leakage behavior, which is an important parameter for memory applications of Al/Ta2O5/Si MOS capacitors, along with interface properties such as effective oxide charges and interface trap density with and without irradiation has been investigated. Lower accumulation capacitance and shift in flat band voltage toward negative value were observed in annealed devices after exposure to radiation. The increase in interfacial oxide layer thickness after irradiation was confirmed by Rutherford Back Scattering measurement. The effect of post-deposition annealing on the electrical behavior of Ta2O5 MOS capacitors was also investigated. Improved electrical and interface properties were obtained for samples deposited in N2 ambient. The density of interface trap states (Dit) at Ta2O5/Si interface sputtered in pure argon ambient was higher compared to samples reactively sputtered in nitrogen-containing plasma. Our results show that reactive sputtering in nitrogen-containing plasma is a promising approach to improve the radiation hardness of Ta2O5/Si MOS devices.

  5. The role of the F-box gene TaFBA1 from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in drought tolerance.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Shumei; Sun, Xiudong; Yin, Suhong; Kong, Xiangzhu; Zhou, Shan; Xu, Ying; Luo, Yin; Wang, Wei

    2014-11-01

    Drought is one of the most important factors limiting plant growth and development. We identified a gene in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought stress named TaFBA1. TaFBA1 encodes a putative 325-amino-acid F-box protein with a conserved N-terminal F-box domain and a C-terminal AMN1 domain. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that TaFBA1 transcript accumulation was upregulated by high-salinity, water stress, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. To evaluate the functions of TaFBA1 in the regulation of drought stress responses, we produced transgenic tobacco lines overexpressing TaFBA1. Under water stress conditions, the transgenic tobacco plants had a higher germination rate, higher relative water content, net photosynthesis rate (Pn), less chlorophyll loss, and less growth inhibition than WT. These results demonstrate the high tolerance of the transgenic plants to drought stress compared to the WT. The enhanced oxidative stress tolerance of these plants, which may be involved in their drought tolerance, was indicated by their lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, MDA content, and cell membrane damage under drought stress compared to WT. The antioxidant enzyme activities were higher in the transgenic plants than in WT, which may be related to the upregulated expression of some antioxidant genes via overexpression of TaFBA1. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  6. Thin TiOx layer as a voltage divider layer located at the quasi-Ohmic junction in the Pt/Ta2O5/Ta resistance switching memory.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiang Yuan; Shao, Xing Long; Wang, Yi Chuan; Jiang, Hao; Hwang, Cheol Seong; Zhao, Jin Shi

    2017-02-09

    Ta 2 O 5 has been an appealing contender for the resistance switching random access memory (ReRAM). The resistance switching (RS) in this material is induced by the repeated formation and rupture of the conducting filaments (CFs) in the oxide layer, which are accompanied by the almost inevitable randomness of the switching parameters. In this work, a 1 to 2 nm-thick Ti layer was deposited on the 10 nm-thick Ta 2 O 5 RS layer, which greatly improved the RS performances, including the much-improved switching uniformity. The Ti metal layer was naturally oxidized to TiO x (x < 2) and played the role of a series resistor, whose resistance value was comparable to the on-state resistance of the Ta 2 O 5 RS layer. The series resistor TiO x efficiently suppressed the adverse effects of the voltage (or current) overshooting at the moment of switching by the appropriate voltage partake effect, which increased the controllability of the CF formation and rupture. The switching cycle endurance was increased by two orders of magnitude even during the severe current-voltage sweep tests compared with the samples without the thin TiO x layer. The Ti deposition did not induce any significant overhead to the fabrication process, making the process highly promising for the mass production of a reliable ReRAM.

  7. A CBL-Interacting Protein Kinase TaCIPK2 Confers Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco Plants through Regulating the Stomatal Movement.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yan; Sun, Tao; Li, Tingting; Wang, Meng; Yang, Guangxiao; He, Guangyuan

    2016-01-01

    In plants, the CBL-CIPK signaling pathways play key roles in the response to abiotic stresses. However, functional studies of CIPKs in the important staple crop wheat are very rare. In this study, we identified a CIPK gene from wheat, designated TaCIPK2. Expression analysis results showed that TaCIPK2 could be up-regulated in wheat leaves by polyethylene glycol, abscisic acid and H2O2 treatments. Subcellular localization analyses revealed that TaCIPK2 was present in whole wheat epidermal cells. A yeast two-hybrid assay indicated that TaCIPK2 interacted with TaCBL1, 2, 3 and 4 in vitro. Transgenic tobacco plants over-expressing TaCIPK2 exhibited increased drought tolerance, indicated by a larger proportion of green cotyledons and higher survival rates under the osmotic and drought stress conditions compared with control plants. Additionally, physiological index analyses revealed that the transgenic tobacco plants had lower water loss rates and ion leakage, accumulated less malondialdehyde and H2O2, and had higher catalase and superoxide dismutase activities than the control plants. The transgenic plants also exhibited faster stomatal closure following exposure to osmotic stress conditions. The seed germination rates and stomatal aperture of TaCIPK2-overexpressing tobacco plants decreased after exogenous abscisic acid treatment was applied, implying that the transgenic tobacco plants were more sensitive to exogenous abscisic acid than the control plants. Our results indicate that TaCIPK2 plays a positive regulatory role in drought stress responses in transgenic tobacco plants.

  8. The involvement of wheat F-box protein gene TaFBA1 in the oxidative stress tolerance of plants.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Shu-Mei; Kong, Xiang-Zhu; Kang, Han-Han; Sun, Xiu-Dong; Wang, Wei

    2015-01-01

    As one of the largest gene families, F-box domain proteins have been found to play important roles in abiotic stress responses via the ubiquitin pathway. TaFBA1 encodes a homologous F-box protein contained in E3 ubiquitin ligases. In our previous study, we found that the overexpression of TaFBA1 enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic plants. To investigate the mechanisms involved, in this study, we investigated the tolerance of the transgenic plants to oxidative stress. Methyl viologen was used to induce oxidative stress conditions. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis revealed that TaFBA1 expression was up-regulated by oxidative stress treatments. Under oxidative stress conditions, the transgenic tobacco plants showed a higher germination rate, higher root length and less growth inhibition than wild type (WT). The enhanced oxidative stress tolerance of the transgenic plants was also indicated by lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and cell membrane damage under oxidative stress compared with WT. Higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD), were observed in the transgenic plants than those in WT, which may be related to the upregulated expression of some antioxidant genes via the overexpression of TaFBA1. In others, some stress responsive elements were found in the promoter region of TaFBA1, and TaFBA1 was located in the nucleus, cytoplasm and plasma membrane. These results suggest that TaFBA1 plays an important role in the oxidative stress tolerance of plants. This is important for understanding the functions of F-box proteins in plants' tolerance to multiple stress conditions.

  9. The Involvement of Wheat F-Box Protein Gene TaFBA1 in the Oxidative Stress Tolerance of Plants

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Shu-Mei; Kong, Xiang-Zhu; Kang, Han-Han; Sun, Xiu-Dong; Wang, Wei

    2015-01-01

    As one of the largest gene families, F-box domain proteins have been found to play important roles in abiotic stress responses via the ubiquitin pathway. TaFBA1 encodes a homologous F-box protein contained in E3 ubiquitin ligases. In our previous study, we found that the overexpression of TaFBA1 enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic plants. To investigate the mechanisms involved, in this study, we investigated the tolerance of the transgenic plants to oxidative stress. Methyl viologen was used to induce oxidative stress conditions. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis revealed that TaFBA1 expression was up-regulated by oxidative stress treatments. Under oxidative stress conditions, the transgenic tobacco plants showed a higher germination rate, higher root length and less growth inhibition than wild type (WT). The enhanced oxidative stress tolerance of the transgenic plants was also indicated by lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and cell membrane damage under oxidative stress compared with WT. Higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD), were observed in the transgenic plants than those in WT, which may be related to the upregulated expression of some antioxidant genes via the overexpression of TaFBA1. In others, some stress responsive elements were found in the promoter region of TaFBA1, and TaFBA1 was located in the nucleus, cytoplasm and plasma membrane. These results suggest that TaFBA1 plays an important role in the oxidative stress tolerance of plants. This is important for understanding the functions of F-box proteins in plants’ tolerance to multiple stress conditions. PMID:25906259

  10. Fabrication of Ta nanoparticles induced by nanosecond laser ablation in ethanol: the study of laser fluence effects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Azadi Kenari, Fariba; Moniri, Samira; Hantehzadeh, Mohammad Reza; Dorranian, Davoud; Ghoranneviss, Mahmood

    2018-05-01

    Tantalum nanoparticles (Ta NPs) were synthesized in ethanol solution by ablation with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. Prepared NPs were investigated by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Photoluminescence measurement. The average sizes of NPs were calculated to be in the range of 12-18 nm. From the UV-visible studies, the plasmon peak position of Ta NPs was observed in the spectral range of 206-208 nm. The XRD spectra clearly showed the crystalline structure of NPs and various peaks of Ta and Ta2O5. Moreover, the UV region in the PL spectrum included the free exciton and the bound exciton emission correlated with the defect concentration. In fact, the laser ablation in the organic and inorganic solvents is a strong technique to obtain some NPs with particular structures, which are impossible to produce by conventional methods.

  11. The effect of low energy helium ion irradiation on tungsten-tantalum (W-Ta) alloys under fusion relevant conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gonderman, S.; Tripathi, J. K.; Novakowski, T. J.; Sizyuk, T.; Hassanein, A.

    2017-08-01

    Currently, tungsten remains the best candidate for plasma-facing components (PFCs) for future fusion devices because of its high melting point, low erosion, and strong mechanical properties. However, continued investigation has shown tungsten to undergo severe morphology changes under fusion-like conditions. These results motivate the study of innovative PFC materials which are resistant to surface morphology evolution. The goal of this work is to examine tungsten-tantalum (W-Ta) alloys, a potential PFC material, and their response to low energy helium ion irradiation. Specifically, W-Ta samples are exposed to 100 eV helium irradiations with a flux of 1.15 × 1021 ions m-2 s-1, at 873 K, 1023 K, and 1173 K for 1 h duration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals significant changes in surface deterioration due to helium ion irradiation as a function of both temperature and tantalum concentration in W-Ta samples. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) studies show a slight lattice parameter expansion in W-Ta alloy samples compared to pure W samples. The observed lattice parameter expansion in W-Ta alloy samples (proportional to increasing Ta wt.% concentrations) reflect significant differences observed in the evolution of surface morphology, i.e., fuzz development processes for both increasing Ta wt.% concentration and target temperature. These results suggest a correlation between the observed morphology differences and the induced crystal structure change caused by the presence of tantalum. Shifts in the XRD peaks before and after 100 eV helium irradiation with a flux of 1.15 × 1021 ions m-2 s-1, 1023 K, for 1 h showed a significant difference in the magnitude of the shift. This has suggested a possible link between the atomic spacing of the material and the accumulated damage. Ongoing research is needed on W-Ta alloys and other innovative materials for their application as irradiation resistant materials in future fusion or irradiation environments.

  12. Interfacial and electrical properties of InGaAs metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor with TiON/TaON multilayer composite gate dielectric

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, L. S.; Xu, J. P.; Liu, L.; Lu, H. H.; Lai, P. T.; Tang, W. M.

    2015-03-01

    InGaAs metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with composite gate dielectric consisting of Ti-based oxynitride (TiON)/Ta-based oxynitride (TaON) multilayer are fabricated by RF sputtering. The interfacial and electrical properties of the TiON/TaON/InGaAs and TaON/TiON/InGaAs MOS structures are investigated and compared. Experimental results show that the former exhibits lower interface-state density (1.0 × 1012 cm-2 eV-1 at midgap), smaller gate leakage current (9.5 × 10-5 A/cm2 at a gate voltage of 2 V), larger equivalent dielectric constant (19.8), and higher reliability under electrical stress than the latter. The involved mechanism lies in the fact that the ultrathin TaON interlayer deposited on the sulfur-passivated InGaAs surface can effectively reduce the defective states and thus unpin the Femi level at the TaON/InGaAs interface, improving the electrical properties of the device.

  13. Electronic Properties of a TMTTF-Family Salt, (TMTTF)2TaF6: New Member Located on the Modified Generalized Phase-Diagram

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iwase, Fumitatsu; Sugiura, Koichi; Furukawa, Ko; Nakamura, Toshikazu

    2009-10-01

    A new TMTTF (tetramethyl-tetrathia-fulvalene)-family salt, (TMTTF)2TaF6, which has the largest octahedral (Oh) symmetry counter anion among the various salts in the TMTTF family, was prepared. X-ray, static magnetic susceptibility, electron spin resonance (ESR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements were carried out in order to investigate the electronic state of (TMTTF)2TaF6. The unit-cell volume of (TMTTF)2TaF6 is larger than that of (TMTTF)2MF6 (M=P, As, and Sb). (TMTTF)2TaF6 shows the highest charge-ordering phase transition temperature (TCO˜ 175 K) among TMTTF salts with the Oh-symmetry counter anion. These facts indicate that (TMTTF)2TaF6 is located on the most negative side in the generalized phase-diagram for TMTCF family salts. (TMTTF)2TaF6 undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition around 9 K. It turned out the phase diagram needs to be modified.

  14. Overexpression of the Wheat Expansin Gene TaEXPA2 Improved Seed Production and Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco Plants.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yanhui; Han, Yangyang; Zhang, Meng; Zhou, Shan; Kong, Xiangzhu; Wang, Wei

    2016-01-01

    Expansins are cell wall proteins that are grouped into two main families, α-expansins and β-expansins, and they are implicated in the control of cell extension via the disruption of hydrogen bonds between cellulose and matrix glucans. TaEXPA2 is an α-expansin gene identified in wheat. Based on putative cis-regulatory elements in the TaEXPA2 promoter sequence and the expression pattern induced when polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used to mimic water stress, we hypothesized that TaEXPA2 is involved in plant drought tolerance and plant development. Through transient expression of 35S::TaEXPA2-GFP in onion epidermal cells, TaEXPA2 was localized to the cell wall. Constitutive expression of TaEXPA2 in tobacco improved seed production by increasing capsule number, not seed size, without having any effect on plant growth patterns. The transgenic tobacco exhibited a significantly greater tolerance to water-deficiency stress than did wild-type (WT) plants. We found that under drought stress, the transgenic plants maintained a better water status. The accumulated content of osmotic adjustment substances, such as proline, in TaEXPA2 transgenic plants was greater than that in WT plants. Transgenic plants also displayed greater antioxidative competence as indicated by their lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative electrical conductivity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation than did WT plants. This result suggests that the transgenic plants suffer less damage from ROS under drought conditions. The activities of some antioxidant enzymes as well as expression levels of several genes encoding key antioxidant enzymes were higher in the transgenic plants than in the WT plants under drought stress. Collectively, our results suggest that ectopic expression of the wheat expansin gene TaEXPA2 improves seed production and drought tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants.

  15. Overexpression of the Wheat Expansin Gene TaEXPA2 Improved Seed Production and Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco Plants

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yanhui; Han, Yangyang; Zhang, Meng; Zhou, Shan; Kong, Xiangzhu; Wang, Wei

    2016-01-01

    Expansins are cell wall proteins that are grouped into two main families, α-expansins and β-expansins, and they are implicated in the control of cell extension via the disruption of hydrogen bonds between cellulose and matrix glucans. TaEXPA2 is an α-expansin gene identified in wheat. Based on putative cis-regulatory elements in the TaEXPA2 promoter sequence and the expression pattern induced when polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used to mimic water stress, we hypothesized that TaEXPA2 is involved in plant drought tolerance and plant development. Through transient expression of 35S::TaEXPA2-GFP in onion epidermal cells, TaEXPA2 was localized to the cell wall. Constitutive expression of TaEXPA2 in tobacco improved seed production by increasing capsule number, not seed size, without having any effect on plant growth patterns. The transgenic tobacco exhibited a significantly greater tolerance to water-deficiency stress than did wild-type (WT) plants. We found that under drought stress, the transgenic plants maintained a better water status. The accumulated content of osmotic adjustment substances, such as proline, in TaEXPA2 transgenic plants was greater than that in WT plants. Transgenic plants also displayed greater antioxidative competence as indicated by their lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative electrical conductivity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation than did WT plants. This result suggests that the transgenic plants suffer less damage from ROS under drought conditions. The activities of some antioxidant enzymes as well as expression levels of several genes encoding key antioxidant enzymes were higher in the transgenic plants than in the WT plants under drought stress. Collectively, our results suggest that ectopic expression of the wheat expansin gene TaEXPA2 improves seed production and drought tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants. PMID:27073898

  16. The metal-binding domain of wheat heavy metal ATPase 2 (TaHMA2) is involved in zinc/cadmium tolerance and translocation in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Qiao, Kun; Gong, Liang; Tian, Yanbao; Wang, Hong; Chai, Tuanyao

    2018-06-23

    Cysteine in the N-terminal metal-binding domain (N-MBD) of TaHMA2 participates in Zn 2+ /Cd 2+ binding and translocation in Arabidopsis. Wheat heavy metal ATPase 2 (TaHMA2) can transport Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ across membranes. A previous study showed that cysteine (Cys) and glutamate residues in the N-terminal metal-binding domain (N-MBD) were necessary for metal-binding and translocation of TaHMA2 in yeast. However, the function of TaHMA2 in plants was not fully revealed. In this study, we investigated the roles of the CCxxE and CPC motifs in the N-MBD and the N/C-terminal regions of TaHMA2 in Zn 2+ /Cd 2+ translocation in root and shoot of Arabidopsis. Compared with the wild type, overexpression of TaHMA2 and the TaHMA2 derivative (glutamic substituted for alanine from CCxxE) in Arabidopsis increased root length, fresh weight and enhanced Zn 2+ /Cd 2+ root-to-shoot translocation. The plants with a truncated N/C-terminal of TaHMA2 were impaired in Zn 2+ /Cd 2+ tolerance and translocation, while mutagenesis of Cys in the N-MBD reduced the tolerance and transport activity of TaHMA2, suggesting the involvement of Cys in Zn 2+ /Cd 2+ binding and translocation in Arabidopsis. This study therefore provides a theoretical possibility for the application of TaHMA2 in transgenic breeding to regulate metal element balance in crop plants.

  17. Label-free detection of biomolecules with Ta2O5-based field effect devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Branquinho, Rita Maria Mourao Salazar

    Field-effect-based devices (FEDs) are becoming a basic structural element in a new generation of micro biosensors. Their numerous advantages such as small size, labelfree response and versatility, together with the possibility of on-chip integration of biosensor arrays with a future prospect of low-cost mass production, make their development highly desirable. The present thesis focuses on the study and optimization of tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) deposited by rf magnetron sputtering at room temperature, and their application as sensitive layer in biosensors based on field effect devices (BioFEDs). As such, the influence of several deposition parameters and post-processing annealing temperature and surface plasma treatment on the film¡¦s properties was investigated. Electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field-effect-based sensors comprising the optimized Ta2O5 sensitive layer were applied to the development of BioFEDs. Enzyme functionalized sensors (EnFEDs) were produced for penicillin detection. These sensors were also applied to the label free detection of DNA and the monitoring of its amplification via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real time PCR (RT-PCR) and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) based on semiconductor oxides comprising the optimized Ta2O5 sensitive layer were also fabricated. EIS sensors comprising Ta2O5 films produced with optimized conditions demonstrated near Nernstian pH sensitivity, 58+/-0.3 mV/pH. These sensors were successfully applied to the label-free detection of penicillin and DNA. Penicillinase functionalized sensors showed a 29+/-7 mV/mM sensitivity towards penicillin detection up to 4 mM penicillin concentration. DNA detection was achieved with 30 mV/mugM sensitivity and DNA amplification monitoring with these sensors showed comparable results to those obtained with standard fluorescence based methods. Semiconductor oxides-based ISFETs with Ta2O5 sensitive layer were

  18. Pressure-induced amorphization of La{sub 1/3}TaO{sub 3}

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Noked, O., E-mail: noked@bgu.ac.il; Physics Department, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105; Melchior, A.

    2013-06-15

    La{sub 1/3}TaO{sub 3}, an A-site cation deficient perovskite, has been studied under pressure by synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. It undergoes irreversible pressure induced amorphization at P=18.5 GPa. An almost linear unit cell volume decrease vs. pressure is observed from ambient pressure up to the phase transition. The Raman spectroscopy also shows amorphization at the same pressure, with positive shifts of all modes as a function of pressure. The pressure dependence of the E{sub g} and A{sub 1g} Raman modes arising from the octahedral oxygen network is discussed. - Graphical abstract: La{sub 1/3}Tao{sub 3} exhibits linear pressure–volume relationmore » until irreversible pressure induced amorphization at 18.5 Gpa. - Highlights: • La{sub 1/3}TaO{sub 3} has been studied under pressure by synchrotron XRD and Raman spectroscopy. • La{sub 1/3}TaO{sub 3} undergoes irreversible pressure induced amorphization around 18.5 GPa. • The transition is manifested in both XRD and Raman measurements. • A linear P–V relation is observed from ambient pressure up to the phase transition.« less

  19. CuTaS 3 : Intermetal d–d Transitions Enable High Solar Absorption

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Heo, Jaeseok; Yu, Liping; Altschul, Emmeline

    To realize the fundamental limits of photovoltaic device efficiency, solar absorbers must exhibit strong absorption and abrupt absorption onsets. Ideally, onsets to maximum absorption (a > 105 cm-1) occur over a few tenths of an electronvolt. First-principles calculations predict CuTaS3 represents a potentially new class of materials with such absorption characteristics. Narrow metallic d bands in both the initial and final states present high joint densities of states and, therefore, strong absorption. Specifically, a mixture of metal d (Cu1+, d10) and S p characterizes states near the valence band maximum, and metal d (Ta5+, d0) dominates near the conduction bandmore » minimum. Optical absorption measurements on thin films confirm the abrupt onset to strong absorption a > 105 cm-1 at Eg + 0.4 eV (Eg = 1.0 eV). Theoretical CuTaS3 solar cell efficiency is predicted to be 28% for a 300 nm film based on the metric of spectroscopic limited maximum efficiency, which exceeds that of CuInSe2. This sulfide may offer new opportunities to discover and develop a new class of mixed d-element solar absorbers.« less

  20. TaOPR2 encodes a 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase involved in the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

    PubMed

    Wang, Yukun; Yuan, Guoliang; Yuan, Shaohua; Duan, Wenjing; Wang, Peng; Bai, Jianfang; Zhang, Fengting; Gao, Shiqing; Zhang, Liping; Zhao, Changping

    2016-01-29

    The 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductases (OPRs) are involved in the various processes of growth and development in plants, and classified into the OPRⅠ and OPRⅡ subgroups. In higher plants, only OPRⅡ subgroup genes take part in the biosynthesis of endogenous jasmonic acid. In this study, we isolated a novel OPRⅡ subgroup gene named TaOPR2 (GeneBank accession: KM216389) from the thermo-sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) wheat cultivar BS366. TaOPR2 was predicted to encode a protein with 390 amino acids. The encoded protein contained the typical oxidored_FMN domain, the C-terminus peroxisomal-targeting signal peptide, and conserved FMN-binding sites. TaOPR2 was mapped to wheat chromosome 7B and located on peroxisome. Protein evolution analysis revealed that TaOPR2 belongs to the OPRⅡ subgroup and shares a high degree of identity with other higher plant OPR proteins. The quantitative real-time PCR results indicated that the expression of TaOPR2 is inhibited by abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), gibberellic acid (GA3), low temperatures and high salinity. In contrast, the expression of TaOPR2 can be induced by wounding, drought and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Furthermore, the transcription level of TaOPR2 increased after infection with Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and Puccinia recondite f. sp. tritici. TaOPR2 has NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase activity. In addition, the constitutive expression of TaOPR2 can rescue the male sterility phenotype of Arabidopsis mutant opr3. These results suggest that TaOPR2 is involved in the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) in wheat. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Effects of addition of Ta and Y ions to InZnO thin film transistors by sol-gel process.

    PubMed

    Son, Dae-Ho; Kim, Dae-Hwan; Kim, Jung-Hye; Park, Si-Nae; Sung, Shi-Joon; Kang, Jin-Kyu

    2013-06-01

    We have investigated the effects of the addition of tantalum (Ta) and yttrium (Y) ions to InZnO thin film transistors (TFTs) using the sol-gel process. TaInZnO and YInZnO TFTs had significantly lower off current and higher on-to-off current ratio than InZnO TFTs. Ta and Y ions have strong affinity to oxygen and so suppress the formation of free electron carriers in thin films; they play an important role in enhancing the electrical characteristic due to their high oxygen bonding ability. The optimized TaInZnO and YInZnO TFTs showed high on/off ratio and low subthreshold swing.

  2. Influence of Li3BO3 additives on the Li+ conductivity and stability of Ca/Ta-substituted Li6.55(La2.95Ca0.05)(Zr1.5Ta0.5)O12 electrolytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, L. C.; Yang, J. F.; Gao, Y. X.; Wang, X. P.; Fang, Q. F.; Chen, C. H.

    2017-07-01

    The cubic Ca/Ta-substituted Li6.55(La2.95Ca0.05)(Zr1.5Ta0.5)O12 (LLCZTO) electrolytes were synthesized at 800 °C with Li3BO3 as additives. The optimal amount of Li3BO3 and its influences on the microstructure, crystal structures, Li+ conductivity and the stability of the Li6.55(La2.95Ca0.05)(Zr1.5Ta0.5)O12 were studied by SEM, XRD and EIS. Among all the samples, when the molar ratio of Li3BO3 to the Li6.55(La2.95Ca0.05)(Zr1.5Ta0.5)O12 is 4:5, the highest Li+ conductivity of 1.33 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 30 °C is obtained. When the LLCZTO samples are exposed in air, the Li+ conductivity is deteriorated possibly owing to the side reactions between the LLCZTO and the H2O or CO2 in the air. The Li3BO3 addition can alleviate such deterioration of the Li+ conductivity.

  3. 7 CFR Exhibit B to Subpart I of... - Evaluation Report of Self-Help Technical Assistance (TA) Grants

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ...) f. Number of TA employees: (16) 6. a. Average time needed to construct a single house: (17) b... following adversely affect the Grantee's ability to accomplish program objectives? YES NO TA Staff Turnover ____ ____ FmHA Staff Turnover ____ ____ Bad Weather ____ ____ Loan Processing Delays ____ ____ Site Acquisition...

  4. 7 CFR Exhibit B to Subpart I of... - Evaluation Report of Self-Help Technical Assistance (TA) Grants

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ...) f. Number of TA employees: (16) 6. a. Average time needed to construct a single house: (17) b... following adversely affect the Grantee's ability to accomplish program objectives? YES NO TA Staff Turnover ____ ____ FmHA Staff Turnover ____ ____ Bad Weather ____ ____ Loan Processing Delays ____ ____ Site Acquisition...

  5. Ta2O5 nanowires: a novel synthetic method and their solar energy utilization.

    PubMed

    Lü, Xujie; Ding, Shangjun; Lin, Tianquan; Mou, Xinliang; Hong, Zhanglian; Huang, Fuqiang

    2012-01-14

    Single-crystalline uniform Ta(2)O(5) nanowires are prepared by a novel synthetic route. The formation of the nanowires involves an oriented attachment process caused by the reduction of surface energy. The nanowires are successfully applied to photocatalytic H(2) evolution, contaminant degradation, and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The Ta(2)O(5)-based DSCs reveal a significant photovoltaic response, which has not been reported. As a photocatalyst, the Ta(2)O(5) nanowires possess high H(2) evolution efficiency under Xe lamp irradiation, nearly 27-fold higher than the commercial powders. A better performance of photocatalytic contaminant degradation is also observed. Such improvements are ascribed to better charge transport ability for the single-crystalline wire and a higher potential energy of the conduction band. This new synthetic approach using a water-soluble precursor provides a versatile way to prepare nanostructured metal oxides.

  6. Interpreting Medieval Inter-tidal Features at Weelie's Taing on Papa Westray, Orkney, NE Scotland

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pollard, Edward; Gibson, Julie; Littlewood, Mark

    2016-12-01

    Investigation of the inter-tidal heritage of the Orkney Islands is used to interpret a previously perplexing complex at Weelie's Taing on Papa Westray. The study revealed a previously unknown type of harbour since identified in several locations around Orkney. Situated in exposed environmental situations, shelter is formed by an `ayre', a type of spit that encloses a loch, and which has been used historically as a landing place or crossing of the inter-tidal zone. A complex landing area, pier, tower and ship-blockage suggest Weelie's Taing was used as a harbour. Important fishing grounds exploited since the Neolithic are nearby, and Papa Westray was the site of water-focussed religious communities. It is suggested that Weelie's Taing was in use in the medieval period when Papa Westray was less isolated than today with the presence of ecclesiastical communities and situation on the Orkney-Shetland route.

  7. Influence of temperature on oxidation mechanisms of fiber-textured AlTiTaN coatings.

    PubMed

    Khetan, Vishal; Valle, Nathalie; Duday, David; Michotte, Claude; Delplancke-Ogletree, Marie-Paule; Choquet, Patrick

    2014-03-26

    The oxidation kinetics of AlTiTaN hard coatings deposited at 265 °C by DC magnetron sputtering were investigated between 700 and 950 °C for various durations. By combining dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (D-SIMS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations of the different oxidized coatings, we were able to highlight the oxidation mechanisms involved. The TEM cross-section observations combined with XRD analysis show that a single amorphous oxide layer comprising Ti, Al, and Ta formed at 700 °C. Above 750 °C, the oxide scale transforms into a bilayer oxide comprising an Al-rich upper oxide layer and a Ti/Ta-rich oxide layer at the interface with the coated nitride layer. From the D-SIMS analysis, it could be proposed that the oxidation mechanism was governed primarily by inward diffusion of O for temperatures of ≤700 °C, while at ≥750 °C, it is controlled by outward diffusion of Al and inward diffusion of O. Via a combination of structural and chemical analysis, it is possible to propose that crystallization of rutile lattice favors the outward diffusion of Al within the AlTiTa mixed oxide layer with an increase in the temperature of oxidation. The difference in the mechanisms of oxidation at 700 and 900 °C also influences the oxidation kinetics with respect to oxidation time. Formation of a protective alumina layer decreases the rate of oxidation at 900 °C for long durations of oxidation compared to 700 °C. Along with the oxidation behavior, the enhanced thermal stability of AlTiTaN compared to that of the TiAlN coating is illustrated.

  8. High-quality single crystal growth and magnetic property of Mn4Ta2O9

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cao, Yiming; Xu, Kun; Yang, Ya; Yang, Wangfan; Zhang, Yuanlei; Kang, Yanru; He, Xijia; Zheng, Anmin; Liu, Mian; Wei, Shengxian; Li, Zhe; Cao, Shixun

    2018-06-01

    A large-size single crystal of Mn4Ta2O9 with ∼3.5 mm in diameter and ∼65 mm in length was successfully grown for the first time by a newly designed one-step method based on the optical floating zone technique. Both the clear Laue spots and sharp XRD Bragg reflections suggest the high quality of the single crystal. In Mn4Ta2O9 single crystal, an antiferromagnetic phase transition was observed below Néel temperature 102 K along c axis, which is similar to the isostructural compound Mn4Nb2O9, but differs from the isostructural Co4Nb2O9. Relative dielectric constant at 30 kOe suggests that no magnetoelectric coupling exists in Mn4Ta2O9.

  9. Charge trapping and current-conduction mechanisms of metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors with La xTa y dual-doped HfON dielectrics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cheng, Chin-Lung; Horng, Jeng-Haur; Chang-Liao, Kuei-Shu; Jeng, Jin-Tsong; Tsai, Hung-Yang

    2010-10-01

    Charge trapping and related current-conduction mechanisms in metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with La xTa y dual-doped HfON dielectrics have been investigated under various post-deposition annealing (PDA). The results indicate that by La xTa y incorporation into HfON dielectric enhances electrical and reliability characteristics, including equivalent-oxide-thickness (EOT), stress-induced leakage current (SILC), and trap energy level. The mechanisms related to larger positive charge generation in the gate dielectric bulk can be attributed to La xTa y dual-doped HfON dielectric. The results of C- V measurement indicate that more negative charges are induced with increasing PDA temperature for the La xTa y dual-doped HfON dielectric. The charge current transport mechanisms through various dielectrics have been analyzed with current-voltage ( I- V) measurements under various temperatures. The current-conduction mechanisms of HfLaTaON dielectric at the low-, medium-, and high-electrical fields were dominated by Schottky emission (SE), Frenkel-Poole emission (F-P), and Fowler-Nordheim (F-N), respectively. A low trap energy level ( Φ trap) involved in Frenkel-Pool conduction in an HfLaTaON dielectric was estimated to be around 0.142 eV. Although a larger amount of positive charges generated in the HfLaTaON dielectric was obtained, the Φ trap of these positive charges in the HfLaTaON dielectric are shallow compared with HfON dielectric.

  10. Limited Range Sesame EOS for Ta

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Greeff, Carl William; Crockett, Scott; Rudin, Sven Peter

    2017-03-30

    A new Sesame EOS table for Ta has been released for testing. It is a limited range table covering T ≤ 26, 000 K and ρ ≤ 37.53 g/cc. The EOS is based on earlier analysis using DFT phonon calculations to infer the cold pressure from the Hugoniot. The cold curve has been extended into compression using new DFT calculations. The present EOS covers expansion into the gas phase. It is a multi-phase EOS with distinct liquid and solid phases. A cold shear modulus table (431) is included. This is based on an analytic interpolation of DFT calculations.

  11. Nonstoichiometric control of tunnel-filling order, thermal expansion, and dielectric relaxation in tetragonal tungsten Bronzes Ba0.5-xTaO3-x.

    PubMed

    Pan, Fengjuan; Li, Xiaohui; Lu, Fengqi; Wang, Xiaoming; Cao, Jiang; Kuang, Xiaojun; Véron, Emmanuel; Porcher, Florence; Suchomel, Matthew R; Wang, Jing; Allix, Mathieu

    2015-09-21

    Ordering of interpolated Ba(2+) chains and alternate Ta-O rows (TaO)(3+) in the pentagonal tunnels of tetragonal tungsten bronzes (TTB) is controlled by the nonstoichiometry in the highly nonstoichiometric Ba0.5-xTaO3-x system. In Ba0.22TaO2.72, the filling of Ba(2+) and (TaO)(3+) groups is partially ordered along the ab-plane of the simple TTB structure, resulting in a √2-type TTB superstructure (Pbmm), while in Ba0.175TaO2.675, the pentagonal tunnel filling is completely ordered along the b-axis of the simple TTB structure, leading to a triple TTB superstructure (P21212). Both superstructures show completely empty square tunnels favoring Ba(2+) conduction and feature unusual accommodation of Ta(5+) cations in the small triangular tunnels. In contrast with stoichiometric Ba6GaTa9O30, which shows linear thermal expansion of the cell parameters and monotonic decrease of permittivity with temperature within 100-800 K, these TTB superstructures and slightly nonstoichiometric simple TTB Ba0.4TaO2.9 display abnormally broad and frequency-dependent extrinsic dielectric relaxations in 10(3)-10(5) Hz above room temperature, a linear deviation of the c-axis thermal expansion around 600 K, and high dielectric permittivity ∼60-95 at 1 MHz at room temperature.

  12. Synthesis, Characterization, and Mechanism of Formation of Janus-Like Nanoparticles of Tantalum Silicide-Silicon (TaSi₂/Si).

    PubMed

    Nomoev, Andrey V; Bardakhanov, Sergey P; Schreiber, Makoto; Bazarova, Dashima Zh; Baldanov, Boris B; Romanov, Nikolai A

    2014-12-25

    Metal-semiconductor Janus-like nanoparticles with the composition tantalum silicide-silicon (TaSi₂/Si) were synthesized for the first time by means of an evaporation method utilizing a high-power electron beam. The composition of the synthesized particles were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selective area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX) analysis. The system is compared to previously synthesized core-shell type particles in order to show possible differences responsible for the Janus-like structure forming instead of a core-shell architecture. It is proposed that the production of Janus-like as opposed to core-shell or monophase particles occurs due to the ability of Ta and Si to form compounds and the relative content of Ta and Si atoms in the produced vapour. Based on the results, a potential mechanism of formation for the TaSi₂/Si nanoparticles is discussed.

  13. Characterization of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) expansin gene, TaEXPB23, involved in the abiotic stress response and phytohormone regulation.

    PubMed

    Han, Yang yang; Li, Ai xiu; Li, Feng; Zhao, Mei rong; Wang, Wei

    2012-05-01

    Expansins are proteins that are generally accepted to be key regulators of cell wall extension and plant growth. We examined the expression pattern of TaEXPB23, a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) expansin gene, under exogenous phytohormone and abiotic stress treatments. In addition, we evaluated its function in the tolerance to salt stress and high temperature (HT) by overexpressing it in transgenic tobacco plants. In subcellular localization assays, TaEXPB23 localized to the cell wall. Expression analysis demonstrated that the transcription pattern of TaEXPB23 corresponded to wheat coleoptile growth. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that TaEXPB23 transcript expression was upregulated by exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salt stress, but downregulated by exogenous gibberellins (GA₃), ethylene (ET), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and α-naphthlcetic acid (NAA). Overexpression of TaEXPB23 in tobacco (tabacum) conferred tolerance to salt stress by enhancing water retention ability (WRA) and decreasing osmotic potential (OP). However, transgenic plants overexpressing TaEXPB23 did not show any improvement in the tolerance to HT stress. These results suggested that TaEXPB23 is regulated by phytohormones and is involved in the regulation of salt stress tolerance. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  14. TaHsfA6f is a transcriptional activator that regulates a suite of heat stress protection genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) including previously unknown Hsf targets

    PubMed Central

    Xue, Gang-Ping; Drenth, Janneke; McIntyre, C. Lynne

    2015-01-01

    Heat stress is a significant environmental factor adversely affecting crop yield. Crop adaptation to high-temperature environments requires transcriptional reprogramming of a suite of genes involved in heat stress protection. This study investigated the role of TaHsfA6f, a member of the A6 subclass of heat shock transcription factors, in the regulation of heat stress protection genes in Triticum aestivum (bread wheat), a poorly understood phenomenon in this crop species. Expression analysis showed that TaHsfA6f was expressed constitutively in green organs but was markedly up-regulated during heat stress. Overexpression of TaHsfA6f in transgenic wheat using a drought-inducible promoter resulted in up-regulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and a number of other heat stress protection genes that included some previously unknown Hsf target genes such as Golgi anti-apoptotic protein (GAAP) and the large isoform of Rubisco activase. Transgenic wheat plants overexpressing TaHsfA6f showed improved thermotolerance. Transactivation assays showed that TaHsfA6f activated the expression of reporter genes driven by the promoters of several HSP genes (TaHSP16.8, TaHSP17, TaHSP17.3, and TaHSP90.1-A1) as well as TaGAAP and TaRof1 (a co-chaperone) under non-stress conditions. DNA binding analysis revealed the presence of high-affinity TaHsfA6f-binding heat shock element-like motifs in the promoters of these six genes. Promoter truncation and mutagenesis analyses identified TaHsfA6f-binding elements that were responsible for transactivation of TaHSP90.1-A1 and TaGAAP by TaHsfA6f. These data suggest that TaHsfA6f is a transcriptional activator that directly regulates TaHSP, TaGAAP, and TaRof1 genes in wheat and its gene regulatory network has a positive impact on thermotolerance. PMID:25428996

  15. TaHsfA6f is a transcriptional activator that regulates a suite of heat stress protection genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) including previously unknown Hsf targets.

    PubMed

    Xue, Gang-Ping; Drenth, Janneke; McIntyre, C Lynne

    2015-02-01

    Heat stress is a significant environmental factor adversely affecting crop yield. Crop adaptation to high-temperature environments requires transcriptional reprogramming of a suite of genes involved in heat stress protection. This study investigated the role of TaHsfA6f, a member of the A6 subclass of heat shock transcription factors, in the regulation of heat stress protection genes in Triticum aestivum (bread wheat), a poorly understood phenomenon in this crop species. Expression analysis showed that TaHsfA6f was expressed constitutively in green organs but was markedly up-regulated during heat stress. Overexpression of TaHsfA6f in transgenic wheat using a drought-inducible promoter resulted in up-regulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and a number of other heat stress protection genes that included some previously unknown Hsf target genes such as Golgi anti-apoptotic protein (GAAP) and the large isoform of Rubisco activase. Transgenic wheat plants overexpressing TaHsfA6f showed improved thermotolerance. Transactivation assays showed that TaHsfA6f activated the expression of reporter genes driven by the promoters of several HSP genes (TaHSP16.8, TaHSP17, TaHSP17.3, and TaHSP90.1-A1) as well as TaGAAP and TaRof1 (a co-chaperone) under non-stress conditions. DNA binding analysis revealed the presence of high-affinity TaHsfA6f-binding heat shock element-like motifs in the promoters of these six genes. Promoter truncation and mutagenesis analyses identified TaHsfA6f-binding elements that were responsible for transactivation of TaHSP90.1-A1 and TaGAAP by TaHsfA6f. These data suggest that TaHsfA6f is a transcriptional activator that directly regulates TaHSP, TaGAAP, and TaRof1 genes in wheat and its gene regulatory network has a positive impact on thermotolerance. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

  16. Experimental discovery of a topological Weyl semimetal state in TaP

    DOE PAGES

    Xu, Su -Yang; Belopolski, Ilya; Sanchez, Daniel S.; ...

    2015-11-13

    Here, Weyl semimetals are expected to open up new horizons in physics and materials science because they provide the first realization of Weyl fermions and exhibit protected Fermi arc surface states. However, they had been found to be extremely rare in nature. Recently, a family of compounds, consisting of tantalum arsenide, tantalum phosphide (TaP), niobium arsenide, and niobium phosphide, was predicted as a Weyl semimetal candidates. We experimentally realize a Weyl semimetal state in TaP. Using photoemission spectroscopy, we directly observe the Weyl fermion cones and nodes in the bulk, and the Fermi arcs on the surface. Moreover, we findmore » that the surface states show an unexpectedly rich structure, including both topological Fermi arcs and several topologically trivial closed contours in the vicinity of the Weyl points, which provides a promising platform to study the interplay between topological and trivial surface states on a Weyl semimetal’s surface. We directly demonstrate the bulk-boundary correspondence and establish the topologically nontrivial nature of the Weyl semimetal state in TaP, by resolving the net number of chiral edge modes on a closed path that encloses the Weyl node. This also provides, for the first time, an experimentally practical approach to demonstrating a bulk Weyl fermion from a surface state dispersion measured in photoemission.« less

  17. Pressure-induced amorphization in single-crystal Ta2O5 nanowires: a kinetic mechanism and improved electrical conductivity.

    PubMed

    Lü, Xujie; Hu, Qingyang; Yang, Wenge; Bai, Ligang; Sheng, Howard; Wang, Lin; Huang, Fuqiang; Wen, Jianguo; Miller, Dean J; Zhao, Yusheng

    2013-09-18

    Pressure-induced amorphization (PIA) in single-crystal Ta2O5 nanowires is observed at 19 GPa, and the obtained amorphous Ta2O5 nanowires show significant improvement in electrical conductivity. The phase transition process is unveiled by monitoring structural evolution with in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, pair distribution function, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The first principles calculations reveal the phonon modes softening during compression at particular bonds, and the analysis on the electron localization function also shows bond strength weakening at the same positions. On the basis of the experimental and theoretical results, a kinetic PIA mechanism is proposed and demonstrated systematically that amorphization is initiated by the disruption of connectivity between polyhedra (TaO6 octahedra or TaO7 bipyramids) at the particular weak-bonding positions along the a axis in the unit cell. The one-dimensional morphology is well-preserved for the pressure-induced amorphous Ta2O5, and the electrical conductivity is improved by an order of magnitude compared to traditional amorphous forms. Such pressure-induced amorphous nanomaterials with unique properties surpassing those in either crystalline or conventional amorphous phases hold great promise for numerous applications in the future.

  18. Development of an Mg-Based Alloy with High Hydriding and Dehydriding Rates and Large Hydrogen Storage Capacity by Adding TaF5.

    PubMed

    Kwak, Young Jun; Lee, Seong Ho; Song, Myoung Youp

    2018-09-01

    A sample with a composition of 95 wt% Mg + 5 wt% TaF5 (named Mg-5TaF5) was prepared by reactive mechanical grinding. The activation of Mg-5TaF5 was not necessary, and Mg-5TaF5 had an effective hydrogen storage capacity (the quantity of hydrogen absorbed for 60 min) larger than 5 wt%. At the first cycle (n = 1), the sample absorbed 4.50 wt% H for 10 min and 5.06 wt% H for 60 min at 593 K under 12 bar H2. At n = 1, the sample desorbed 1.58 wt% H for 10 min and 4.93 wt% H for 60 min at 593 K under 1.0 bar H2. The Mg-5TaF5 sample dehydrided at n = 3 contained MgF2 and Ta2H. The hydriding-dehydriding cycling of the sample, which forms MgF2 and Ta2H by reaction with hydrogen, is considered to produce defects on the surface of and inside the Mg particles, to create clean surfaces, and to reduce the particle size of Mg, due to the repetition of expansion with hydrogen absorption and contraction with hydrogen release. Mg-5TaF5 had a higher hydriding rate and a higher dehydriding rate after an incubation period and greater quantities of hydrogen absorbed and desorbed for 60 min than Mg-10TaF5, Mg-10MnO, or Mg-10Fe2O3.

  19. Onset of carbon-carbon bonding in Ta(5)C(y) (y = 0-6) clusters: a threshold photoionization and density functional theory study.

    PubMed

    Dryza, Viktoras; Alvino, Jason F; Metha, Gregory F

    2010-04-01

    We have used photoionization efficiency spectroscopy to determine ionization energies (IEs) of the gas-phase tantalum-carbide clusters Ta(5)C(y) (y = 0-6). The structures of the clusters observed in the experiment are assigned by comparing the experimental IEs with those of candidate isomers, calculated by density functional theory. Two competing geometries of the underlying Ta(5) cluster are found to be present in the assigned Ta(5)C(y) structures; either a "prolate" or "distorted oblate" trigonal bipyramid geometry. The onset of carbon-carbon bonding in the Ta(5)C(y) series is proposed to occur at y = 6, with the structure of Ta(5)C(6) containing two molecular C(2) units.

  20. Observations on Si-based micro-clusters embedded in TaN thin film deposited by co-sputtering with oxygen contamination

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lee, Young Mi; Jung, Min-Sang; Choi, Duck-Kyun, E-mail: duck@hanyang.ac.kr, E-mail: mcjung@oist.jp

    2015-08-15

    Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with the synchrotron radiation we investigated Si-based micro-clusters embedded in TaSiN thin films having oxygen contamination. TaSiN thin films were deposited by co-sputtering on fixed or rotated substrates and with various power conditions of TaN and Si targets. Three types of embedded micro-clusters with the chemical states of pure Si, SiO{sub x}-capped Si, and SiO{sub 2}-capped Si were observed and analyzed using SEM and Si 2p and Ta 4f core-level spectra were derived. Their different resistivities are presumably due to the different chemical states and densities of Si-based micro-clusters.

  1. Atomic layer deposited TaCy metal gates: Impact on microstructure, electrical properties, and work function on HfO2 high-k dielectrics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Triyoso, D. H.; Gregory, R.; Schaeffer, J. K.; Werho, D.; Li, D.; Marcus, S.; Wilk, G. D.

    2007-11-01

    TaCy has been reported to have the appropriate work function for negative metal-oxide semiconductor metal in high-k metal-oxide field-effect transistors. As device size continues to shrink, a conformal deposition for metal gate electrodes is needed. In this work, we report on the development and characterization of a novel TaCy process by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Detailed physical properties of TaCy films are studied using ellipsometry, a four-point probe, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). RBS and XPS analysis indicate that TaCy films are near-stoichiometric, nitrogen free, and have low oxygen impurities. Powder XRD spectra showed that ALD films have a cubic microstructure. XPS carbon bonding studies revealed that little or no glassy carbon is present in the bulk of the film. Excellent electrical properties are obtained using ALD TaCy as a metal gate electrode. Well-behaved capacitance-voltage characteristics with ALD HfO2 gate dielectrics are demonstrated for TaCy thicknesses of 50, 100, and 250 Å. A low fixed charge (˜2-4×10-11 cm-2) is observed for all ALD HfO2/ALD TaCy devices. Increasing the thickness of ALD TaCy results in a decrease in work function (4.77 to 4.54 eV) and lower threshold voltages.

  2. Overexpression of a Common Wheat Gene TaSnRK2.8 Enhances Tolerance to Drought, Salt and Low Temperature in Arabidopsis

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Hongying; Mao, Xinguo; Wang, Chengshe; Jing, Ruilian

    2010-01-01

    Drought, salinity and low temperatures are major factors limiting crop productivity and quality. Sucrose non-fermenting1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) plays a key role in abiotic stress signaling in plants. In this study, TaSnRK2.8, a SnRK2 member in wheat, was cloned and its functions under multi-stress conditions were characterized. Subcellular localization showed the presence of TaSnRK2.8 in the cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Expression pattern analyses in wheat revealed that TaSnRK2.8 was involved in response to PEG, NaCl and cold stresses, and possibly participates in ABA-dependent signal transduction pathways. To investigate its role under various environmental stresses, TaSnRK2.8 was transferred to Arabidopsis under control of the CaMV-35S promoter. Overexpression of TaSnRK2.8 resulted in enhanced tolerance to drought, salt and cold stresses, further confirmed by longer primary roots and various physiological characteristics, including higher relative water content, strengthened cell membrane stability, significantly lower osmotic potential, more chlorophyll content, and enhanced PSII activity. Meanwhile, TaSnRK2.8 plants had significantly lower total soluble sugar levels under normal growing conditions, suggesting that TaSnRK2.8 might be involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, the transcript levels of ABA biosynthesis (ABA1, ABA2), ABA signaling (ABI3, ABI4, ABI5), stress-responsive genes, including two ABA-dependent genes (RD20A, RD29B) and three ABA-independent genes (CBF1, CBF2, CBF3), were generally higher in TaSnRK2.8 plants than in WT/GFP controls under normal/stress conditions. Our results suggest that TaSnRK2.8 may act as a regulatory factor involved in a multiple stress response pathways. PMID:21209856

  3. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan - TA-60 Asphalt Batch Plant

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sandoval, Leonard Frank

    This Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) was developed in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§1251 et seq., as amended), and the Multi-Sector General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity (U.S. EPA, June 2015) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and using the industry specific permit requirements for Sector P-Land Transportation and Warehousing as a guide. This SWPPP applies to discharges of stormwater from the operational areas of the TA-60-01 Asphalt Batch Plant at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos Nationalmore » Laboratory (also referred to as LANL or the “Laboratory”) is owned by the Department of Energy (DOE), and is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS). Throughout this document, the term “facility” refers to the TA-60 Asphalt Batch Plant and associated areas. The current permit expires at midnight on June 4, 2020.« less

  4. Electrical conduction mechanism in La3Ta0.5Ga5.3Al0.2O14 single crystals

    PubMed Central

    Yaokawa, Ritsuko; Aota, Katsumi; Uda, Satoshi

    2013-01-01

    The electrical conduction mechanism in La3Ta0.5Ga5.3Al0.2O14 (LTGA) single crystals was studied by nonstoichiometric defect formation during crystal growth. Since stoichiometric LTGA is not congruent, the single crystal grown from the stoichiometric melt was Ta-poor and Al-rich, where Al atoms were substituted not only in Ga sites but also in Ta sites. The population of the substitutional Al in Ta sites increased with increasing oxygen partial pressure during growth (growth-pO2) in the range from 0.01 to 1 atm. Below 600 °C, substitutional Al atoms in Ta sites were ionized to yield holes, and thus the electrical conductivity of the LTGA crystal depended on temperature and the growth-pO2. The dependence of the electrical conductivity on the growth-pO2 decreased as temperature increased. The temperature rise increases ionic conductivity, for which the dominant carriers are oxygen defects formed by the anion Frenkel reaction. PMID:24396153

  5. Thermodynamics of Palladium (Pd) and Tantalum (Ta) Relevant to Secondary Copper Smelting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shuva, M. A. H.; Rhamdhani, M. A.; Brooks, G. A.; Masood, S. H.; Reuter, M. A.

    2017-02-01

    The slag-to-metal distribution ratios of palladium (Pd), L_{{Pd}}^{s/m} , in the range of oxygen partial pressure ( pO2) from 10-10 to 10-7 atm at 1473 K to 1623 K (1200 °C to 1350 °C); distribution ratios of tantalum (Ta), L_{{Ta}}^{s/m} , in the range of pO2 from 10-16 to 10-12 atm at 1673 K and 1873 K (1400 °C and 1600 °C), have been determined in this study. The L_{{Pd}}^{s/m} in FeO x -CaO-SiO2-MgO and copper at 1573 K (1300 °C) and pO2 = 10-8 atm is dependant strongly on basicity of slag, i.e. (CaO + MgO)/SiO2 or optical basicity. The current results suggest that Pd presents in the FeO x -CaO-SiO2-MgO slag predominantly as Pd2+. The activity coefficient of PdO in the slag at 1573 K (1300 °C) and pO2 = 10-8 atm was calculated to be in the range of 3.89 × 10-3 to 2.63 × 10-2. The L_{{Pd}}^{s/m} was also found to increase with increasing of pO2 and with decreasing of temperature. It was observed that Ta mostly partition to slag phase and very small amount of Ta was found in liquid copper at the high temperature and reduced condition studied. It can be suggested that to promote recovery of palladium from Pd-containing e-waste, a slag with lower silica content and basic flux based, high temperature with reducing atmosphere, is highly desired particularly in secondary copper smelting.

  6. Time-dependent dielectric breakdown in pure and lightly Al-doped Ta2O5 stacks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Atanassova, E.; Stojadinović, N.; Spassov, D.; Manić, I.; Paskaleva, A.

    2013-05-01

    The time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) characteristics of 7 nm pure and lightly Al-doped Ta2O5 (equivalent oxide thickness of 2.2 and 1.5 nm, respectively) with W gate electrodes in MOS capacitor configuration are studied using gate injection and constant voltage stress. The effect of both the process-induced defects and the dopant on the breakdown distribution, and on the extracted Weibull slope values, are discussed. The pre-existing traps which provoke weak spots dictate early breakdowns. Their effect is compounded of both the stress-induced new traps generation (percolation model is valid) and the inevitable lower-k interface layer in the region with long time-to-breakdown. The domination of one of these competitive effects defines the mechanism of degradation: the trapping at pre-existing traps appears to dominate in Ta2O5; Al doping reduces defects in Ta2O5, the generation of new traps prevails over the charge trapping in the doped samples, and the mechanism of breakdown is more adequate to the percolation concept. The doping of high-k Ta2O5 even with small amount (5 at.%) may serve as an engineering solution for improving its TDDB characteristics and reliability.

  7. Preliminary Tests for Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta Alloys as Potential Biomaterials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bălţatu, M. S.; Vizureanu, P.; Bălan, T.; Lohan, M.; Ţugui, C. A.

    2018-06-01

    Nowadays, there is a continuing concern for the research and development of alloys for medical and biomedical applications. In order to check the biocompatible character of a new Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta alloys, it is necessary to carry out preliminary laboratory tests to follow how a biomaterial surface would interact with the host. The paper presents tests for Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta alloys like contact angle and DSC test to identify biocompatible character. Contact angle measurement is an experimental technique used to assess the hydrophilic or hydrophobic character of surfaces by reference to the 90º contact angle value and to characterize the thermal behavior, for temperature range between 36.5-37.2ºC, interval which a biomaterial works inside the healthy human body, was used DSC test.

  8. 17 CFR 249.619 - Form TA-Y2K, information required of transfer agents pursuant to section 17 of the Securities...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Form TA-Y2K, information... Certain Exchange Members, Brokers, and Dealers § 249.619 Form TA-Y2K, information required of transfer... affecting Form TA-Y2K, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of...

  9. Materials Study of NbN and Ta x N Thin Films for SNS Josephson Junctions

    DOE PAGES

    Missert, Nancy; Brunke, Lyle; Henry, Michael D.; ...

    2017-02-15

    We investigated properties of NbN and Ta xN thin films grown at ambient temperatures on SiO 2/Si substrates by reactive-pulsed laser deposition and reactive magnetron sputtering (MS) as a function of N 2 gas flow. Both techniques produced films with smooth surfaces, where the surface roughness did not depend on the N 2 gas flow during growth. High crystalline quality, (111) oriented NbN films with T c up to 11 K were produced by both techniques for N contents near 50%. The low temperature transport properties of the Ta xN films depended upon both the N 2 partial pressure usedmore » during growth and the film thickness. Furthermore, the root mean square surface roughness of Ta xN films grown by MS increased as the film thickness decreased down to 10 nm.« less

  10. Microstructure, mechanical behavior and biocompatibility of powder metallurgy Nb-Ti-Ta alloys as biomedical material.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jue; Chang, Lin; Liu, Hairong; Li, Yongsheng; Yang, Hailin; Ruan, Jianming

    2017-02-01

    Microstructures, mechanical properties, apatite-forming ability and in vitro experiments were studied for Nb-25Ti-xTa (x=10, 15, 20, 25, 35at.%) alloys fabricated by powder metallurgy. It is confirmed that the alloys could achieve a relative density over 80%. Meanwhile, the increase in Ta content enhances the tensile strength, elastic modulus and hardness of the as-sintered alloys. When increasing the sintering temperatures, the microstructure became more homogeneous for β phase, resulting in a decrease in the modulus and strength. Moreover, the alloys showed a good biocompatibility due to the absence of cytotoxic elements, and were suitable for apatite formation and cell adhesion. In conclusion, Nb-25Ti-xTa alloys are potentially useful in biomedical applications with their mechanical and biological properties being evaluated in this work. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Internal Photoemission at Interfaces of ALD TaSiOx Insulating Layers Deposited on Si, InP and In0.53Ga0.47As

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Y Chou, H.; Afanas'ev, V. V.; Thoan, N. H.; Adelmann, C.; Lin, H. C.; Houssa, M.; Stesmans, A.

    2012-10-01

    Electrical analysis of interfaces of (100)Si, (100)InP, and (100)In0.53Ga0.47As with TaSiOx (Ta/Si≈1) films atomic-layer deposited using SiCl4, TaCl5, and H2O precursors suggests Ta silicate as a good insulating and surface passivating layer on all three semiconductors. However, when a positive voltage is applied to the top metal electrode in a metal/ TaSiOx /semiconductor configuration, considerable hysteresis of the capacitance-voltage curves, both at 300 and 77 K, is universally observed indicating electron injection and trapping in the insulator. To shed some light on the origin of this charge instability, we analyzed interface band alignment of the studied interfaces using the spectroscopies of internal photoemission and photoconductivity measurements. The latter reveals that independently of the semiconductor substrate material, TaSiOx layers exhibit a bandgap of only 4.5±0.1 eV, typical for a Ta2O5 network. The density of electron states associated with this narrow-gap network may account for the enhanced electron injection and trapping. Furthermore, while a sufficiently high energy barrier for electrons between Si and TaSiOx (3.1±0.1 eV) is found, much lower IPE thresholds are encountered at the (100)InP/TaSiOx and (100) In0.53Ga0.47As/TaSiOx interfaces, i.e., 2.4 and 2.0 eV, respectively. The lower barrier may be related by the formation of narrow-gap In-rich interlayers between AIIIBV semiconductors and TaSiOx.

  12. Factors influencing the mutagenic activity of the colon carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 1535 in vitro.

    PubMed

    Kerklaan, P R; Bouter, S; Mohn, G R

    1984-04-01

    The colon carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (SMDH), a non-mutagen in the standard Ames assay, has been shown in previous experiments to become weakly mutagenic in Salmonella TA 1535 in vitro, when specific test conditions were used. The present studies were performed to determine more precisely the nature of metabolic factors and experimental conditions for optimal mutagenesis of SDMH in the same strain of Salmonella. First, it was confirmed that both the presence of rat liver S9 fractions (25 microliters/ml incubation mixture) and prolonged pre-incubation periods in liquid medium of at least 120 min were necessary to elicit SDMH mutagenesis. In contrast to results obtained with dimethylnitrosamine, which served as a model compound for the activation through oxidative, cytochrome P-450- and NADPH-dependent enzymatic processes, the activation of SDMH to mutagenic factors was not dependent on the presence of NADPH: in fact, NADPH strongly reduced the SDMH-induced mutation yields. It was also observed that growth of the indicator bacteria is an important prerequisite for mutation induction by SDMH. Aminoacetonitrile and disulfiram, two inhibitors of SDMH metabolism and carcinogenicity in mammals, also strongly inhibited SDMH mutagenesis in the present in vitro assay. It can, therefore, be concluded that (i) the right test protocol is of crucial importance for the detection of SDMH as a bacterial mutagen, and (ii) that activation pathways in vitro are (partially) different from presumed in vivo metabolism and activation.

  13. Microstructure and Elevated Temperature Properties of a Refractory TaNbHfZrTi Alloy

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-24

    composition of the TaNbHfZrTi alloy produced by vacuum arc melting Composition Ta Nb Hf Zr Ti at.% 19.68 18.93 20.46 21.23 19.7 wt. % 30.04 14.84 30.82 16.34...metallic materials with higher melting points, such as refractory molybdenum (Mo) and niobium ( Nb ) alloys, are examined as alternatives by academic and...creep resistance are the key properties of these alloys, since considerable alloy softening generally occurs at tempera- tures above *0.5 0.6 Tm

  14. Variable substrate temperature deposition of CoFeB film on Ta for manipulating the perpendicular coercive forces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lakshmanan, Saravanan; Rao, Subha Krishna; Muthuvel, Manivel Raja; Chandrasekaran, Gopalakrishnan; Therese, Helen Annal

    2017-08-01

    Magnetization of Ta/CoFeB/Ta trilayer films with thick layer of CoFeB deposited under different substrate temperatures (Ts) via ultra-high vacuum DC sputtering technique has been measured with the applied magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the film respectively to study the perpendicular coercive forces of the film. The samples were further analyzed for its structural, topological, morphological, and electrical transport properties. The core chemical states for the elements present in the CoFeB thin film were analyzed by XPS studies. Magnetization studies reveal the existence of perpendicular coercive forces in CoFeB films deposited only at certain temperatures such as RT, 450 °C, 475 °C and 500 °C. CoFeB film deposited at 475 °C exhibited a maximum coercivity of 315 Oe and a very low saturation magnetization (Ms) of 169 emu/cc in perpendicular direction. This pronounced effect in perpendicular coercive forces observed for CoFeB475 could be attributed to the effect of temperature in enhancing the crystallization of the film at the Ta/CoFeB interfaces. However at temperatures higher than 475 °C the destruction of the Ta/CoFeB interface due to intermixing of Ta and CoFeB results in the disappearance of magnetic anisotropy.

  15. Confirmation of Non-Impacted Status (TA16-280 Complex)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ruedig, Elizabeth

    2017-12-07

    EPC-ES finds that the materials associated with TA16-280 complex (see Figure 1) are candidates for release to the public for recycle or as sanitary/commercial waste. This finding is consistent with the requirements of DOE Order 458.1 Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment and LANL Policy 412 Environmental Radiation Protection.

  16. STUDY ON SYNTHESIS AND EVOLUTION OF NANOCRYSTALLINE Mg4Ta2O9 BY AQUEOUS SOL-GEL PROCESS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, H. T.; Yang, C. H.; Wu, W. B.; Yue, Y. L.

    2012-06-01

    Nanosized and highly reactive Mg4Ta2O9 were successfully synthesized by aqueous sol-gel method compared with conventional solid-state method. Ta-Mg-citric acid solution was first formed and then evaporated resulting in a dry gel for calcination in the temperature ranging from 600°C to 800°C for crystallization in oxygen atmosphere. The crystallization process from the gel to crystalline Mg4Ta2O9 was identified by thermal analysis and phase evolution of powders was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique during calcinations. Particle size and morphology were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). The results revealed that sol-gel process showed great advantages over conventional solid-state method and Mg4Ta2O9 nanopowders with the size of 20-30 nm were obtained at 800°C.

  17. Mechanical Properties of TiTaHfNbZr High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Deposited on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Motallebzadeh, A.; Yagci, M. B.; Bedir, E.; Aksoy, C. B.; Canadinc, D.

    2018-04-01

    TiTaHfNbZr high-entropy alloy (HEA) thin films with thicknesses of about 750 and 1500 nm were deposited on NiTi substrates by RF magnetron sputtering using TiTaHfNbZr equimolar targets. The thorough experimental analysis on microstructure and mechanical properties of deposited films revealed that the TiTaHfNbZr films exhibited amorphous and cauliflower-like structure, where grain size and surface roughness increased concomitant with film thickness. More importantly, the current findings demonstrate that the TiTaHfNbZr HEA films with mechanical properties of the same order as those of the NiTi substrate constitute promising biomedical coatings effective in preventing Ni release.

  18. Mechanical Properties of TiTaHfNbZr High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Deposited on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Motallebzadeh, A.; Yagci, M. B.; Bedir, E.; Aksoy, C. B.; Canadinc, D.

    2018-06-01

    TiTaHfNbZr high-entropy alloy (HEA) thin films with thicknesses of about 750 and 1500 nm were deposited on NiTi substrates by RF magnetron sputtering using TiTaHfNbZr equimolar targets. The thorough experimental analysis on microstructure and mechanical properties of deposited films revealed that the TiTaHfNbZr films exhibited amorphous and cauliflower-like structure, where grain size and surface roughness increased concomitant with film thickness. More importantly, the current findings demonstrate that the TiTaHfNbZr HEA films with mechanical properties of the same order as those of the NiTi substrate constitute promising biomedical coatings effective in preventing Ni release.

  19. The wheat homolog of putative nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat resistance gene TaRGA contributes to resistance against powdery mildew.

    PubMed

    Wang, Defu; Wang, Xiaobing; Mei, Yu; Dong, Hansong

    2016-03-01

    Powdery mildew, one of the most destructive wheat diseases worldwide, is caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), a fungal species with a consistently high mutation rate that makes individual resistance (R) genes ineffective. Therefore, effective resistance-related gene cloning is vital for breeding and studying the resistance mechanisms of the disease. In this study, a putative nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) R gene (TaRGA) was cloned using a homology-based cloning strategy and analyzed for its effect on powdery mildew disease and wheat defense responses. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analyses revealed that a Bgt isolate 15 and salicylic acid stimulation significantly induced TaRGA in the resistant variety. Furthermore, the silencing of TaRGA in powdery mildew-resistant plants increased susceptibility to Bgt15 and prompted conidia propagation at the infection site. However, the expression of TaRGA in leaf segments after single-cell transient expression assay highly increased the defense responses to Bgt15 by enhancing callose deposition and phenolic autofluorogen accumulation at the pathogen invading sites. Meanwhile, the expression of pathogenesis-related genes decreased in the TaRGA-silenced plants and increased in the TaRGA-transient-overexpressing leaf segments. These results implied that the TaRGA gene positively regulates the defense response to powdery mildew disease in wheat.

  20. Wheat Vacuolar Iron Transporter TaVIT2 Transports Fe and Mn and Is Effective for Biofortification1[OPEN

    PubMed Central

    Jones, Eleanor R.; Rodríguez-Ramiro, Ildefonso

    2017-01-01

    Increasing the intrinsic nutritional quality of crops, known as biofortification, is viewed as a sustainable approach to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies. In particular, iron deficiency anemia is a major global health issue, but the iron content of staple crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum) is difficult to change because of genetic complexity and homeostasis mechanisms. To identify target genes for the biofortification of wheat, we functionally characterized homologs of the VACUOLAR IRON TRANSPORTER (VIT). The wheat genome contains two VIT paralogs, TaVIT1 and TaVIT2, which have different expression patterns but are both low in the endosperm. TaVIT2, but not TaVIT1, was able to rescue the growth of a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant defective in vacuolar iron transport. TaVIT2 also complemented a manganese transporter mutant but not a vacuolar zinc transporter mutant. By overexpressing TaVIT2 under the control of an endosperm-specific promoter, we achieved a greater than 2-fold increase in iron in white flour fractions, exceeding minimum legal fortification levels in countries such as the United Kingdom. The antinutrient phytate was not increased and the iron in the white flour fraction was bioavailable in vitro, suggesting that food products made from the biofortified flour could contribute to improved iron nutrition. The single-gene approach impacted minimally on plant growth and also was effective in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Our results show that by enhancing vacuolar iron transport in the endosperm, this essential micronutrient accumulated in this tissue, bypassing existing homeostatic mechanisms. PMID:28684433

  1. Reactive magnetron cosputtering of hard and conductive ternary nitride thin films: Ti-Zr-N and Ti-Ta-N

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Abadias, G.; Koutsokeras, L. E.; Dub, S. N.

    2010-07-15

    Ternary transition metal nitride thin films, with thickness up to 300 nm, were deposited by dc reactive magnetron cosputtering in Ar-N{sub 2} plasma discharges at 300 deg. C on Si substrates. Two systems were comparatively studied, Ti-Zr-N and Ti-Ta-N, as representative of isostructural and nonisostructural prototypes, with the aim of characterizing their structural, mechanical, and electrical properties. While phase-separated TiN-ZrN and TiN-TaN are the bulk equilibrium states, Ti{sub 1-x}Zr{sub x}N and Ti{sub 1-y}Ta{sub y}N solid solutions with the Na-Cl (B1-type) structure could be stabilized in a large compositional range (up to x=1 and y=0.75, respectively). Substituting Ti atoms by eithermore » Zr or Ta atoms led to significant changes in film texture, microstructure, grain size, and surface morphology, as evidenced by x-ray diffraction, x-ray reflectivity, and scanning electron and atomic force microscopies. The ternary Ti{sub 1-y}Ta{sub y}N films exhibited superior mechanical properties to Ti{sub 1-x}Zr{sub x}N films as well as binary compounds, with hardness as high as 42 GPa for y=0.69. All films were metallic, the lowest electrical resistivity {rho}{approx}65 {mu}{Omega} cm being obtained for pure ZrN, while for Ti{sub 1-y}Ta{sub y}N films a minimum was observed at y{approx}0.3. The evolution of the different film properties is discussed based on microstructrural investigations.« less

  2. The Expression of TaRca2-α Gene Associated with Net Photosynthesis Rate, Biomass and Grain Yield in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Field Conditions

    PubMed Central

    Saeed, Iqbal; Bachir, Daoura Goudia; Chen, Liang; Hu, Yin-Gang

    2016-01-01

    Improvement in activation of Rubisco by Rubisco activase can potentially enhance CO2 assimilation and photosynthetic efficiency in plants. The three homoeologous copies of TaRca2-α were identified on chromosomes 4AL, 4BS and 4DS (TaRca2-α-4AL, TaRca2-α-4BS, and TaRca2-α-4DS) in bread wheat. Expression patterns of the three copies at heading (Z55), anthesis (Z67) and grain-filling (Z73) stages were investigated through qRT-PCR analyses in a panel of 59 bread wheat genotypes and their effects on net photosynthesis rate (Pn), biomass plant-1 (BMPP) and grain yield plant-1 (GYPP) were further explored. Different but similar expression patterns were observed for the three copies of TaRca2-α at the three growth stages with highest expression at grain-filling stage. TaRca2-α-4BS expressed higher at the three stages than TaRca2-α-4AL and TaRca2-α-4DS. The 59 genotypes could be clustered into three groups as high (7 genotypes), intermediate (41 genotypes) and low (11 genotypes) expression based on the expression of the three copies of TaRca2-α at three growth stages. Significant variations (P<0.01) were observed among the three groups of bread wheat genotypes for Pn, BMPP and GYPP. Generally, the genotypes with higher TaRca2-α expression also showed higher values for Pn, BMPP and GYPP. The expressions of the three copies of TaRca2-α at heading, anthesis and grain-filling stages were positively correlated with Pn, BMPP and GYPP (P<0.01) with stronger association for TaRca2-α-4BS at grain-filling stage. These results revealed that the expression of TaRca2-α contribute substantially to Pn, BMPP and GYPP, and suggested that manipulating TaRca-α expression may efficiently improve Pn, BMPP and GYPP in bread wheat and detecting TaRca-α expression levels with emphasis on TaRca2-α-4BS may be a positive strategy for selection in improving photosynthetic efficiency and grain yield of bread wheat. PMID:27548477

  3. Effect of Zr substitution on the thermal and mechanical properties of Rh3A (A=Nb,Ta) - A theoretical study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manjula, M.; Sundareswari, M.; Viswanathan, E.

    2018-04-01

    The present study focuses upon the thermal and mechanical properties of Rh3ZrxA1-x (A= Nb,Ta) ternary alloys using ab initio density functional theory where Nb/Ta is substituted by Zr. These ternary alloys were investigated for the first time using elastic moduli, hardness, Debye temperature, Debye average velocity and Gruneisen parameter. Further the ductile/brittle analysis was made by using Cauchy pressure, degree of brittleness and Poisson's ratio. Systematic addition of Zr with Rh3Nb/Ta shows that Rh3Zr0.75Nb0.25, Rh3Zr0.875Nb0.125 and Rh3Zr0.875Ta0.125combinations are more ductile. Further the melting temperature of Rh3Zr0.75Nb0.25(2227 K), Rh3Zr0.875Nb0.125(2200 K) and Rh3Zr0.875Ta0.125 (2134 K) alloys are nearer to those of their parent binary alloys namely Rh3Nb (2636 K) and Rh3Ta (2562 K). Their corresponding density values (10.84 gm/cm3, 10.77 gm/cm3 and 11.09 gm/cm3) are found to be much less than those of their parent materials.

  4. Study of irradiation damage induced by He2+ ion irradiation in Ni62Ta38 metallic glass and W metal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Xiaonan; Mei, Xianxiu; Zhang, Qi; Li, Xiaona; Wang, Yingmin; Wang, Younian

    2017-09-01

    Metallic glasses are considered to possess good resistant against irradiation due to their inherent structural long-range disorder and a lack of grain boundaries. The He2+ with an energy of 300 keV was used to irradiate Ni62Ta38 binary metallic glass to investigate its resistance against the irradiation, and the irradiated behaviour of the metallic glass was compared with that of W metal. The irradiation fluence range over 2.0 × 1017 ions/cm2-1.6 × 1018 ions/cm2. The TEM results show that nanocrystals of μ-NiTa phase and Ni2Ta phase appeared in Ni62Ta38 metallic glass under the irradiation fluence of 1.6 × 1018 ions/cm2. The SEM results show that the surfaces of Ni62Ta38 metallic glasses maintained flat and smooth, whereas a large area of blisters with peeling formed on the surface of W metal at the irradiation fluence of 1.0 × 1018 ions/cm2. It indicates that the critical irradiation fluence of surface breakage of the Ni62Ta38 metallic glass is higher than that of W metal. After the irradiation, stress was generated in the surface layer of W metal, leading to the increase of the hardness of W metal.

  5. Comparison of Adsorption/Desorption of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) on Electrospun Nanofibers with Tenax TA for Potential Application in Sampling

    PubMed Central

    Chu, Lanling; Deng, Siwei; Zhao, Renshan; Deng, Jianjun; Kang, Xuejun

    2016-01-01

    The objective of this study was to compare the adsorption/desorption of target compounds on homemade electrospun nanofibers, polystyrene (PS) nanofibers, acrylic resin (AR) nanofibers and PS-AR composite nanofibers with Tenax TA. Ten volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed by preconcentration onto different sorbents followed by desorption (thermal and solvent orderly) and analysis by capillary gas chromatography. In comparison to Tenax TA, the electrospun nanofibers displayed a significant advantage in desorption efficiency and adsorption selectivity. Stability studies were conducted as a comparative experiment between PS-AR nanofibers and Tenax TA using toluene as the model compound. No stability problems were observed upon storage of toluene on both PS-AR nanofibers and Tenax TA over 60 hours period when maintained in an ultra-freezer (−80°C). The nanofibers provided slightly better stability for the adsorbed analytes than Tenax TA under other storage conditions. In addition, the nanofibers also provided slightly better precision than Tenax TA. The quantitative adsorption of PS-AR nanofibers exhibited a good linearity, as evidenced by the 0.988–0.999 range of regression coefficients (R). These results suggest that for VOCs sampling the electrospun nanofibers can be a potential ideal adsorbent. PMID:27776140

  6. First-principles study of electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties in cubic perovskite materials AgMO3 (M = V, Nb, Ta)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mahmood, Asif; Ramay, Shahid M.; Rafique, Hafiz Muhammad; Al-Zaghayer, Yousef; Khan, Salah Ud-Din

    2014-05-01

    In this paper, first-principles calculations of structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of AgMO3 (M = V, Nb and Ta) have been carried out using full potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method (FP - LAPW + lo) and BoltzTraP code within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The calculated structural parameters are found to agree well with the experimental data, while the electronic band structure indicates that AgNbO3 and AgTaO3 are semiconductors with indirect bandgaps of 1.60 eV and 1.64 eV, respectively, between the occupied O 2p and unoccupied d states of Nb and Ta. On the other hand, AgVO3 is found metallic due to the overlapping behavior of states across the Fermi level. Furthermore, optical properties, such as dielectric function, absorption coefficient, optical reflectivity, refractive index and extinction coefficient of AgNbO3 and AgTaO3, are calculated for incident photon energy up to 50 eV. Finally, we calculate thermo power for AgNbO3 and AgTaO3 at fixed doping 1019 cm-3. Electron doped thermo power of AgNbO3 shows significant increase over AgTaO3 with temperature.

  7. Structure and high photocatalytic activity of (N, Ta)-doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Le, N. T. H.; Lam, V. D.; Manh, D. H.

    2016-10-14

    A hydrothermal method was used to prepare three nano-crystalline samples of TiO{sub 2} (S1), N-doped TiO{sub 2} (S2), and (N, Ta)-codoped TiO{sub 2} (S3) with average crystallite sizes (D) of 13–25 nm. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed a single phase of the samples with a tetragonal/anatase structure. A slight increase in the lattice parameters was observed when N and/or Ta dopants were doped into the TiO{sub 2} host lattice. Detailed analyses of extended X-ray absorption spectra indicated that N- and/or Ta-doping into TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles influenced the co-ordination number and radial distance (R) of Ti ions in the anatase structure. Concerning theirmore » absorption spectra, (N, Ta)-doping narrowed the band gap (E{sub g}) of TiO{sub 2} from 3.03 eV for S1 through 2.94 eV for S2 to 2.85 eV for S3. Such results revealed the applicability of these nanoparticles in the photocatalytic field working in the ultraviolet (UV)-visible region. Among these, photocatalytic activity of S3 was the strongest. By using S3 as a catalyst powder, the degradation efficiency of methylene blue solution was about 99% and 93% after irradiation of UV-visible light for 75 min and visible-light for 180 min, respectively.« less

  8. Microstructure and Properties of a Refractory NbCrMo0.5Ta0.5ZrTi Alloy (Preprint)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-10-01

    slightly enriched with Nb , Mo and Ta and depleted with Zr and Cr, and its lattice parameter after HIP was a = 324.76 ± 0.16 pm. The BCC2 phase was...FCC phase was highly enriched with Cr and it was identified as a Laves C15 phase, ( Zr ,Ta)(Cr,Mo, Nb )2, with the lattice parameter a = 733.38 ± 0.18 pm...with Nb , Mo and Ta and depleted with Zr and Cr, and its lattice parameter after HIP was a = 324.76 ± 0.16 pm. The BCC2 phase was enriched with Zr and Ti

  9. Prediction of A2 to B2 Phase Transition in the High Entropy Alloy Mo-Nb-Ta-W

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huhn, William; Widom, Michael

    2014-03-01

    In this talk we show that an effective Hamiltonian fit with first principles calculations predicts an order/disorder transition occurs in the high entropy alloy Mo-Nb-Ta-W. Using the Alloy Theoretic Automated Toolset, we find T=0K enthalpies of formation for all binaries containing Mo, Nb, Ta, and W, and in particular we find the stable structures for binaries at equiatomic concentrations are close in energy to the associated B2 structure, suggesting that at intermediate temperatures a B2 phase is stabilized in Mo-Nb-Ta-W. Our ``hybrid Monte Carlo/molecular dynamics'' results for the Mo-Nb-Ta-W system are analyzed to identify certain preferred chemical bonding types. A mean field free energy model incorporating nearest neighbor bonds will be presented, allowing us to predict the mechanism of the order/disorder transition. We find the temperature evolution of the system is driven by strong Mo-Ta bonding. Comparison of the free energy model and our MC/MD results suggest the existence of additional low-temperature phase transitions in the system likely ending with phase segregation into binary phases. We would like to thank DOD-DTRA for funding this research under contract number DTRA-11-1-0064.

  10. Assessment of antimicrobial and wound healing effects of Brevinin-2Ta against the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae in dermally-wounded rats

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Siqin; Long, Qilin; Xu, Yang; Wang, Jun; Xu, Zhongwei; Wang, Lei; Zhou, Mei; Wu, Yuxin; Chen, Tianbao; Shaw, Chris

    2017-01-01

    Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are regarded as promising alternatives for antibiotics due to their inherent capacity to prevent microbial drug resistance. Amphibians are rich source of bioactive molecules, which provide numerous AMPs with various structures as drug candidates. Here, we isolated and identified a novel AMP Brevinin-2Ta (B-2Ta) from the skin secretion of the European frog, Pelophylax kl. esculentus. In vitro studies revealed that it showed broad antimicrobial activities against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans with low cytotoxicity to erythrocytes. Furthermore, we examined the anti-inflammation effect in vivo by using Klebsiella pneumoniae-infected Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The wound closure outcomes revealed that B-2Ta effectively restrained the bacterial infection at a dose of 10 times minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) during the 14 days of the wound healing process. Ultra-structure analyses showed that B-2Ta caused structural damage to the microorganism, and bacterial culture found that the number of microbes was significantly reduced by the end of treatment. Immunohistochemistry for the inflammatory marker IL-10 and the endothelial cell marker CD31 suggested positive effects on inflammatory status and epithelial migration and angiogenesis following treatment of the infected granulation tissues with B-2Ta. These results exhibited the continuous phase of inflammation reduction and wound healing acceleration in the B-2Ta-modulated re-epithelialisation of K. pneumoniae infected rats. Taken together, these data demonstrated that B-2Ta has great potential to be developed as antibacterial agents in clinic. PMID:29340060

  11. Wheat transcription factor TaWRKY70 is positively involved in high-temperature seedling plant resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici.

    PubMed

    Wang, Junjuan; Tao, Fei; An, Fei; Zou, Yiping; Tian, Wei; Chen, Xianming; Xu, Xiangming; Hu, Xiaoping

    2017-06-01

    Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. Wheat high-temperature seedling plant (HTSP) resistance to Pst is non-race-specific and durable. WRKY transcription factors have been proven to play important roles in plant defence responses to attacks by several pathogens. However, there is no direct evidence as to whether WRKY transcription factors play a role in HTSP resistance to Pst. We isolated a WRKY gene, named TaWRKY70, from wheat cultivar Xiaoyan 6. The expression level of TaWRKY70 was increased significantly when exposed to high temperatures (HTs) during the initial symptom expression stage of Pst infection. The expression of this gene increased in plants treated with ethylene (ET), salicylic acid (SA) and cold (4°C) stresses, but decreased in plants treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and heat (40°C) stresses. Silencing of TaWRKY70 led to greater susceptibility to Pst (in terms of the increase in length of uredinial pustules and the decrease in the number of necrotic cells) compared with non-silenced plants when exposed to HT during the initial symptom expression stage of Pst infection, coinciding with expression changes of the ET- and SA-responsive genes TaPIE1 and TaPR1.1. In contrast, the expression level of the jasmonic acid (JA)-responsive gene TaAOS was not affected by TaWRKY70. These results indicate that TaWRKY70 is positively involved in HTSP resistance, during which SA and ET signalling are probably activated. © 2016 BSPP AND JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD.

  12. Layer thickness dependence of the current-induced effective field vector in Ta|CoFeB|MgO.

    PubMed

    Kim, Junyeon; Sinha, Jaivardhan; Hayashi, Masamitsu; Yamanouchi, Michihiko; Fukami, Shunsuke; Suzuki, Tetsuhiro; Mitani, Seiji; Ohno, Hideo

    2013-03-01

    Current-induced effective magnetic fields can provide efficient ways of electrically manipulating the magnetization of ultrathin magnetic heterostructures. Two effects, known as the Rashba spin orbit field and the spin Hall spin torque, have been reported to be responsible for the generation of the effective field. However, a quantitative understanding of the effective field, including its direction with respect to the current flow, is lacking. Here we describe vector measurements of the current-induced effective field in Ta|CoFeB|MgO heterostructrures. The effective field exhibits a significant dependence on the Ta and CoFeB layer thicknesses. In particular, a 1 nm thickness variation of the Ta layer can change the magnitude of the effective field by nearly two orders of magnitude. Moreover, its sign changes when the Ta layer thickness is reduced, indicating that there are two competing effects contributing to it. Our results illustrate that the presence of atomically thin metals can profoundly change the landscape for controlling magnetic moments in magnetic heterostructures electrically.

  13. Investigating the highest melting temperature materials: A laser melting study of the TaC-HfC system.

    PubMed

    Cedillos-Barraza, Omar; Manara, Dario; Boboridis, K; Watkins, Tyson; Grasso, Salvatore; Jayaseelan, Daniel D; Konings, Rudy J M; Reece, Michael J; Lee, William E

    2016-12-01

    TaC, HfC and their solid solutions are promising candidate materials for thermal protection structures in hypersonic vehicles because of their very high melting temperatures (>4000 K) among other properties. The melting temperatures of slightly hypostoichiometric TaC, HfC and three solid solution compositions (Ta 1-x Hf x C, with x = 0.8, 0.5 and 0.2) have long been identified as the highest known. In the current research, they were reassessed, for the first time in the last fifty years, using a laser heating technique. They were found to melt in the range of 4041-4232 K, with HfC having the highest and TaC the lowest. Spectral radiance of the hot samples was measured in situ, showing that the optical emissivity of these compounds plays a fundamental role in their heat balance. Independently, the results show that the melting point for HfC 0.98 , (4232 ± 84) K, is the highest recorded for any compound studied until now.

  14. Investigating the highest melting temperature materials: A laser melting study of the TaC-HfC system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cedillos-Barraza, Omar; Manara, Dario; Boboridis, K.; Watkins, Tyson; Grasso, Salvatore; Jayaseelan, Daniel D.; Konings, Rudy J. M.; Reece, Michael J.; Lee, William E.

    2016-12-01

    TaC, HfC and their solid solutions are promising candidate materials for thermal protection structures in hypersonic vehicles because of their very high melting temperatures (>4000 K) among other properties. The melting temperatures of slightly hypostoichiometric TaC, HfC and three solid solution compositions (Ta1-xHfxC, with x = 0.8, 0.5 and 0.2) have long been identified as the highest known. In the current research, they were reassessed, for the first time in the last fifty years, using a laser heating technique. They were found to melt in the range of 4041-4232 K, with HfC having the highest and TaC the lowest. Spectral radiance of the hot samples was measured in situ, showing that the optical emissivity of these compounds plays a fundamental role in their heat balance. Independently, the results show that the melting point for HfC0.98, (4232 ± 84) K, is the highest recorded for any compound studied until now.

  15. Investigating the highest melting temperature materials: A laser melting study of the TaC-HfC system

    PubMed Central

    Cedillos-Barraza, Omar; Manara, Dario; Boboridis, K.; Watkins, Tyson; Grasso, Salvatore; Jayaseelan, Daniel D.; Konings, Rudy J. M.; Reece, Michael J.; Lee, William E.

    2016-01-01

    TaC, HfC and their solid solutions are promising candidate materials for thermal protection structures in hypersonic vehicles because of their very high melting temperatures (>4000 K) among other properties. The melting temperatures of slightly hypostoichiometric TaC, HfC and three solid solution compositions (Ta1−xHfxC, with x = 0.8, 0.5 and 0.2) have long been identified as the highest known. In the current research, they were reassessed, for the first time in the last fifty years, using a laser heating technique. They were found to melt in the range of 4041–4232 K, with HfC having the highest and TaC the lowest. Spectral radiance of the hot samples was measured in situ, showing that the optical emissivity of these compounds plays a fundamental role in their heat balance. Independently, the results show that the melting point for HfC0.98, (4232 ± 84) K, is the highest recorded for any compound studied until now. PMID:27905481

  16. Identification of a Novel Allele of TaCKX6a02 Associated with Grain Size, Filling Rate and Weight of Common Wheat

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Hai-Ping; Wang, Sheng-Xing; Sun, Genlou; Xiao, Shi-He; Ma, Chuan-Xi

    2015-01-01

    Cytokinin oxidase (CKX) plays a crucial role in plant growth and development by reversibly inactivating cytokinin (CTK). Twenty-four primer pairs, designed from ESTs of the TaCKX genes family of common wheat, were used to identify their allelic variations associated with grain size, weight, and filling rate in 169 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from Jing 411 × Hongmangchun 21. TaCKX6a02, a member of TaCKX gene family, amplified by primer pair T31–32, showed a close association with grain traits in this RIL population. Statistical analysis indicated that allelic variation of TaCKX6a02 had significant correlation with grain size, weight, and filling rate (GFR; P < 0.001) under varied environments. The TaCKX6a02-D1a allele from Jing411 significantly increased grain size, weight and grain filling rate, compared with TaCKX6a02-D1b from Hongmangchun 21. TaCKX6a02 was located on chromosome 3DS in the interval of Xbarc1119 and Xbarc1162, with a genetic distance of 1.4 cM. The location was further confirmed using Chinese Spring nulli–tetrasomic lines. A major QTL (quantitative trait locus) tightly linked to TaCKX6a02 was detected in the RIL population, explaining 17.1~38.2% of phenotype variations for grain size, weight, GFRmax and GFRmean in different environments. In addition, significant effects of variations of TaCKX6a02 on grain weight and GFR were further validated by association analysis among 102 wheat varieties in two cropping seasons. 12.8~35.1% of phenotypic variations were estimated for these genotypes. A novel 29-bp InDel behind the stop codon was detected by DNA sequence analysis between the two alleles of TaCKX6a02-D1. The gene-specific marker, TKX3D, was designed according to the novel variation, and can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for grain size, weight, and GFR in common wheat. PMID:26657796

  17. Dy3TaO7, A stoichiometric spin glass and the effect of disorder via chemical substitution in the Dy3-xYxTaO7 (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) solid solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gómez-García, J. Francisco; Bucio, Lauro; Tavizon, Gustavo

    2018-01-01

    In this work, we present both structural and magnetic (DC magnetization and AC susceptibility) studies of the Dy3-xYxTaO7 solid solution. The structural characterization of samples was performed by Rietveld refinements of the X-ray diffraction data. All compounds crystallized in a weberite-related structure in the orthorhombic C2221 space group (No. 20); the variations of the lattice parameters obey the Vegard´s law in the whole range of composition. DC magnetic measurements of the Dy3-xYxTaO7 system showed a Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behaviour, with antiferromagnetic interactions at T>150 K. Below 3 K a spin glass behaviour in the 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 range of the solid solution was observed. The stoichiometric Dy3TaO7 compound showed spin glass behaviour although there is no evidence of structural disorder. For some Y3+ doped compounds (x = 0.33, 0.66 and 1.0), chemical disorder reduced the freezing temperature (Tg) values with a ×1/3 dependence. Cole-Cole analysis of the AC magnetic field response showed similar phenomenological parameters for the stoichiometric (x = 0) and the Y3+ doped compounds with spin glassiness, suggesting an analogous mechanism for these compounds. For the Dy3-xYxTaO7 system, in which the spin glass behaviour seems to exhibit a critical concentration, a magnetic phase diagram is proposed.

  18. A R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene in common wheat (namely TaMYBsm1) involved in enhancement of drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Li, Meng-Jun; Qiao, Yu; Li, Ya-Qing; Shi, Zhan-Liang; Zhang, Nan; Bi, Cai-Li; Guo, Jin-Kao

    2016-11-01

    We isolated the TaMYBsm1 genes, encoding R2R3-type MYB proteins in common wheat, aimed to uncover the possible molecular mechanisms related to drought response. The TaMYBsm1 genes, TaMYBsm1-A, TaMYBsm1-B and TaMYBsm1-D, were isolated and analyzed from the common wheat cultivar Shimai 15. Their expression patterns under PEG 6000 and mannitol were monitored by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and β-glucuronidase (Gus) assay. The function of TaMYBsm1-D under drought stress in transgenic Arabidopsis plants was investigated, and the germination rate, water loss rate, as well as the proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were compared with that in wild type (WT) plants. The expression of three downstream genes (DREB2A, P5CS1 and RD29A) in TaMYBsm1-D transgenic plants was analyzed. The R2R3-MYB domains of the MYBsm1 proteins were highly conserved in plants. In addition, the TaMYBsm1 proteins were targeted to the nucleus and contained transcriptional activation domains (TADs). Gus assay and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the TaMYBsm1 genes were up-regulated when the wheat was treated by PEG and mannitol. Compared with WT plants, the germination rates were much higher, but the water loss rates were much lower in TaMYBsm1-D overexpression plants. TaMYBsm1-D transgenic plants showed distinct higher proline contents but a lower MDA content than the WT plants. The three downstream genes were highly expressed in TaMYBsm1-D transgenic plants. We concluded from these results that TaMYBsm1 genes play an important role in plant drought stress tolerance through up-regulation of DREB2A, P5CS1 and RD29A. The increase of proline content and decrease of MDA content may also be involved in the drought response.

  19. Hollow waveguides with low intrinsic photoluminescence fabricated with Ta2O5 and SiO2 films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Y.; Jenkins, M.; Measor, P.; Leake, K.; Liu, S.; Schmidt, H.; Hawkins, A. R.

    2011-02-01

    A type of integrated hollow core waveguide with low intrinsic photoluminescence fabricated with Ta2O5 and SiO2 films is demonstrated. Hollow core waveguides made with a combination of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiO2 and sputtered Ta2O5 provide a nearly optimal structure for optofluidic biofluorescence measurements with low optical loss, high fabrication yield, and low background photoluminescence. Compared to earlier structures made using Si3N4, the photoluminescence background of Ta2O5 based hollow core waveguides is decreased by a factor of 10 and the signal-to-noise ratio for fluorescent nanobead detection is improved by a factor of 12.

  20. Complementary ab initio and X-ray nanodiffraction studies of Ta2O5

    PubMed Central

    Hollerweger, R.; Holec, D.; Paulitsch, J.; Bartosik, M.; Daniel, R.; Rachbauer, R.; Polcik, P.; Keckes, J.; Krywka, C.; Euchner, H.; Mayrhofer, P.H.

    2015-01-01

    The complex structure of Ta2O5 led to the development of various structural models. Among them, superstructures represent the most stable configurations. However, their formation requires kinetic activity and long-range ordering processes, which are hardly present during physical vapor deposition. Based on nano-beam X-ray diffraction and concomitant ab initio studies, a new metastable orthorhombic basic structure is introduced for Ta2O5 with lattice parameters a = 6.425 Å, b = 3.769 Å and c = 7.706 Å. The unit cell containing only 14 atoms, i.e. two formula unit blocks in the c direction, is characterized by periodically alternating the occupied oxygen site between two possible positions in succeeding 002-planes. This structure can be described by the space group 53 (Pncm) with four Wyckoff positions, and exhibits an energy of formation of −3.209 eV atom−1. Among all the reported basic structures, its energy of formation is closest to those of superstructures. Furthermore, this model exhibits a 2.5 eV band gap, which is closer to experimental data than the band gap of any other basic-structure model. The sputtered Ta2O5 films develop only a superstructure if annealed at temperatures >800 °C in air or vacuum. Based on these results and the conveniently small unit cell size, it is proposed that the basic-structure model described here is an ideal candidate for both structure and electronic state descriptions of orthorhombic Ta2O5 materials. PMID:25642136

  1. Conducting transition metal nitride thin films with tailored cell sizes: The case of {delta}-Ti{sub x}Ta{sub 1-x}N

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Koutsokeras, L. E.; Laboratoire PHYMAT, Universite de Poitiers-CNRS, UMR 6630, SP2MI, Teleport 2, Bd Marie et Pierre Curie, 86962 Chasseneuil-Futuroscope; Abadias, G.

    2008-07-07

    We present results on the stability and tailoring of the cell size of conducting {delta}-Ti{sub x}Ta{sub 1-x}N obtained by film growth and ab initio calculations. Despite the limited solubility of Ta in Ti, we show that TiN and TaN are soluble due to the hybrization of the d and sp electrons of the metal and N, respectively, that stabilizes the ternary system to the rocksalt structure. The stress-free cell sizes follow the Vegard's rule; nevertheless, process-dependent stresses expand the cell size of the as-grown films. The electronic properties of {delta}-Ti{sub x}Ta{sub 1-x}N films ({rho}=180 {omega} cm) are similar to thosemore » of TiN and TaN.« less

  2. Linkage Block and Recombination Suppression at the Pi-ta locus at the Centromere Region of Rice Chromosome 12

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The Pi-ta gene, located near the centromeric region of chromosome 12 is an effective resistance gene to Magnaporthe oryzae that causes rice blast disease. Pi-ta has been incorporated into diverse resistant rice cultivars by classical plant breeding in the southern US and worldwide. Previously, la...

  3. Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration Mission (MiRaTA): Advancing Weather Remote Sensing with Nanosatellites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cahoy, K.; Blackwell, W. J.; Bishop, R. L.; Erickson, N.; Fish, C. S.; Neilsen, T. L.; Stromberg, E. M.; Bardeen, J.; Dave, P.; Marinan, A.; Marlow, W.; Kingsbury, R.; Kennedy, A.; Byrne, J. M.; Peters, E.; Allen, G.; Burianek, D.; Busse, F.; Elliott, D.; Galbraith, C.; Leslie, V. V.; Osaretin, I.; Shields, M.; Thompson, E.; Toher, D.; DiLiberto, M.

    2014-12-01

    The Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) is a 3U CubeSat mission sponsored by the NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO). Microwave radiometer measurements and GPS radio occultation (GPSRO) measurements of all-weather temperature and humidity provide key contributions toward improved weather forecasting. The MiRaTA mission will validate new technologies in both passive microwave radiometry and GPS radio occultation: (1) new ultra-compact and low-power technology for multi-channel and multi-band passive microwave radiometers, and (2) new GPS receiver and patch antenna array technology for GPS radio occultation retrieval of both temperature-pressure profiles in the atmosphere and electron density profiles in the ionosphere. In addition, MiRaTA will test (3) a new approach to spaceborne microwave radiometer calibration using adjacent GPSRO measurements. The radiometer measurement quality can be substantially improved relative to present systems through the use of proximal GPSRO measurements as a calibration standard for radiometric observations, reducing and perhaps eliminating the need for costly and complex internal calibration targets. MiRaTA will execute occasional pitch-up maneuvers so that the radiometer and GPSRO observations sound overlapping volumes of atmosphere through the Earth's limb. To validate system performance, observations from both microwave radiometer (MWR) and GPSRO instruments will be compared to radiosondes, global high-resolution analysis fields, other satellite observations, and to each other using radiative transfer models. Both the radiometer and GPSRO payloads, currently at TRL5 but to be advanced to TRL7 at mission conclusion, can be accommodated in a single 3U CubeSat. The current plan is to launch from an International Space Station (ISS) orbit at ~400 km altitude and 52° inclination for low-cost validation over a ~90-day mission to fly in 2016. MiRaTA will demonstrate high fidelity, well-calibrated radiometric

  4. Perovskite ThTaN3: A large-thermopower topological crystalline insulator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jung, Myung-Chul; Lee, Kwan-Woo; Pickett, Warren E.

    2018-03-01

    ThTaN3, a rare cubic perovskite nitride semiconductor, has been studied using ab initio methods. Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) results in band inversion and a band gap of 150 meV at the zone center. Despite trivial Z2 indices, two pairs of spin-polarized surface bands cross the gap near the zone center, indicating that this system is a topological crystalline insulator with the mirror Chern number of | Cm|=2 protected by the mirror and C4 rotational symmetries. Additionally, SOC doubles the Seebeck coefficient, leading to a maximum of ˜400 μ V /K at 150 K for carrier-doping levels of several 1017/cm3.ThTaN3 combines excellent bulk thermopower with parallel conduction through topological surface states that may point toward new possibilities for platforms for engineering devices with larger figures of merit.

  5. Synthesis, Characterization, and Mechanism of Formation of Janus-Like Nanoparticles of Tantalum Silicide-Silicon (TaSi2/Si)

    PubMed Central

    Nomoev, Andrey V.; Bardakhanov, Sergey P.; Schreiber, Makoto; Bazarova, Dashima Zh.; Baldanov, Boris B.; Romanov, Nikolai A.

    2014-01-01

    Metal-semiconductor Janus-like nanoparticles with the composition tantalum silicide-silicon (TaSi2/Si) were synthesized for the first time by means of an evaporation method utilizing a high-power electron beam. The composition of the synthesized particles were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selective area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX) analysis. The system is compared to previously synthesized core-shell type particles in order to show possible differences responsible for the Janus-like structure forming instead of a core-shell architecture. It is proposed that the production of Janus-like as opposed to core-shell or monophase particles occurs due to the ability of Ta and Si to form compounds and the relative content of Ta and Si atoms in the produced vapour. Based on the results, a potential mechanism of formation for the TaSi2/Si nanoparticles is discussed. PMID:28346996

  6. Role of the Heat Sink Layer Ta for Ultrafast Spin Dynamic Process in Amorphous TbFeCo Thin Films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ren, Y.; Zhang, Z. Z.; Min, T.; Jin, Q. Y.

    The ultrafast demagnetization processes (UDP) in Ta (t nm)/TbFeCo (20 nm) films have been studied using the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TRMOKE). With a fixed pump fluence of 2 mJ/cm2, for the sample without a Ta underlayer (t=0nm), we observed the UDP showing a two-step decay behavior, with a relatively longer decay time (τ2) around 3.0 ps in the second step due to the equilibrium of spin-lattice relaxation following the 4f occupation. As a 10nm Ta layer is deposited, the two-step demagnetization still exists while τ2 decreases to ˜1.9ps. Nevertheless, the second-step decay (τ2=0ps) disappears as the Ta layer thickness is increased up to 20 nm, only the first-step UDP occurs within 500 fs, followed by a fast recovery process. The rapid magnetization recovery rate strongly depends on the pump fluence. We infer that the Ta layer provides conduction electrons involving the thermal equilibrium of spin-lattice interaction and serves as heat bath taking away energy from spins of TbFeCo alloy film in UDP.

  7. Temporal and spatial expression and function of TaDlea3 in Triticum aestivum during developmental stages under drought stress.

    PubMed

    Chen, Juan; Fan, Lei; Du, Ya; Zhu, Weining; Tang, Ziqin; Li, Na; Zhang, Dapeng; Zhang, Linsheng

    2016-11-01

    Drought stress is a major factor limiting wheat growth and productivity. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are tolerant to water-related stress. To reveal the regulatory mechanisms of LEA proteins under drought stress, we cloned a novel group 3 LEA gene, namely, TaDlea3, from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Shaanhe 6. Subcellular localization assay showed that TaDlea3 protein accumulated in the cytoplasm. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results revealed that TaDlea3 expression was induced by drought stress. Western blot results indicated that TaDlea3 protein expression gradually increased with drought stress during four different developmental stages. Under normal conditions, no obvious phenotype difference was observed between the transgenic and wild-type seedlings. Meanwhile, the overexpression of TaDlea3 in Arabidopsis resulted in enhanced tolerance to drought stress, as determined by the assessment of antioxidant enzyme activities. Our results provide a basis for highly detailed functional analyses of LEA proteins and offer a promising approach for improving the tolerances of wheat cultivars to drought stress through genetic engineering. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Modified fused silicide coatings for tantalum (Ta-10W) reentry heat shields

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Packer, C. M.; Perkins, R. A.

    1973-01-01

    Results are presented of a program of research to develop a reliable, high performance, fused slurry silicide coating for the Ta-10W alloy. The effort was directed toward developing new and improved formulations for use at 2600 to 2800 F (1700 to 1811 K) in an atmospheric reentry thermal protection system with a 100-mission capability. Based on a thorough characterization of isothermal and cyclic oxidation behavior, bend transition temperatures, room- and elevated-temperature tensile properties, and creep behavior, a 2.5 Mn-33Ti-64.5Si coating (designated MTS) provides excellent protection for the Ta-10W alloy in simulated reentry environments. An extensive analysis of the oxidation behavior and characteristics of the MTS coating in terms of fundamental mechanisms also is presented.

  9. Nb and Ta layer doping effects on the interfacial energetics and electronic properties of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure: first-principles analysis.

    PubMed

    Nazir, Safdar; Behtash, Maziar; Cheng, Jianli; Luo, Jian; Yang, Kesong

    2016-01-28

    The two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) formed at the n-type (LaO)(+1)/(TiO2)(0) interface in the polar/nonpolar LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructure (HS) has emerged as a prominent research area because of its great potential for nanoelectronic applications. Due to its practical implementation in devices, desired physical properties such as high charge carrier density and mobility are vital. In this respect, 4d and 5d transition metal doping near the interfacial region is expected to tailor electronic properties of the LAO/STO HS system effectively. Herein, we studied Nb and Ta-doping effects on the energetics, electronic structure, interfacial charge carrier density, magnetic moment, and the charge confinements of the 2DEG at the n-type (LaO)(+1)/(TiO2)(0) interface of LAO/STO HS using first-principles density functional theory calculations. We found that the substitutional doping of Nb(Ta) at Ti [Nb(Ta)@Ti] and Al [Nb(Ta)@Al] sites is energetically more favorable than that at La [Nb(Ta)@La] and Sr [Nb(Ta)@Sr] sites, and under appropriate thermodynamic conditions, the changes in the interfacial energy of HS systems upon Nb(Ta)@Ti and Nb(Ta)@Al doping are negative, implying that the formation of these structures is energetically favored. Our calculations also showed that Nb(Ta)@Ti and Nb(Ta)@Al doping significantly improve the interfacial charge carrier density with respect to that of the undoped system, which is because the Nb(Ta) dopant introduces excess free electrons into the system, and these free electrons reside mainly on the Nb(Ta) ions and interfacial Ti ions. Hence, along with the Ti 3d orbitals, the Nb 4d and Ta 5d orbitals also contribute to the interfacial metallic states; accordingly, the magnetic moments on the interfacial Ti ions increase significantly. As expected, the Nb@Al and Ta@Al doped LAO/STO HS systems show higher interfacial charge carrier density than the undoped and other doped systems. In contrast, Nb@Ti and Ta@Ti doped systems may

  10. Hydrogen production from water-glucose solution over NiO/La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mardian, R.; Husin, H.; Pontas, K.; Zaki, M.; Asnawi, T. M.; Ahmadi

    2018-03-01

    This paper reports the evaluation of La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst performance in producing hydrogen from water-glucose solution. The main goal of the studies is to investigate the influence of glucose as a sacrificial reagent on the photocatalytic efficiency in water splitting reactions under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Photocatalyst has been fabricated via sol-gel method and being confirmed using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nickel loaded La-NaTaO3 photocatalyst are prepared by impregnation method. It was observed that the prepared photocatalysts displayed particle sizes in the 30-250 nm range with orthorhombic structure. Their photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production via water splitting was conducted in a Pyrex glass reactor under UV light irradiation. The aqueous solution contained glucose employed as a renewable organic scavenger. A significant improvement in hydrogen production was observed in glucose-water mixtures and NiO loaded photocatalyst. The prepared La-NaTaO3 showed that the highest activity for hydrogen generation of 35.1 mmol h-1.g-1 was obtained at 0.10 mol.L-1 glucose and 0.3 wt.% NiO. This suggests the important role played by the glucose as electron donor and loading nickel on La-NaTaO3 as a cocatalyst increasing electron storage and suppressing electron-hole recombination.

  11. Single crystal structure and SHG of defect pyrochlores CsB{sup V}MoO{sub 6} (B{sup V}=Nb,Ta)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fukina, D.G., E-mail: dianafuk@yandex.ru; Suleimanov, E.V.; Yavetskiy, R.P.

    2016-09-15

    The crystal structure and non-linear optical properties of CsNbMoO{sub 6} and CsTaMoO{sub 6} defect pyrochlores have been studied. The single crystals of these compounds grown by the flux method possess an octahedral faceting and reach up to 50 µm in size. The crystal structures of CsB{sup V}MoO{sub 6} (B{sup V}=Nb, Ta) were investigated by X-ray diffraction method. Both compounds crystallize in the cubic symmetry with noncentrosymmetric space group F-43m. The second harmonic generation of CsNbMoO{sub 6} and CsTaMoO{sub 6}was found to be 1.6×10{sup −2} and 8.5×10{sup −4} of lithium niobate, correspondingly. It has been determined that distortions of [MO{sub 6}]more » polyhedra (M=Nb, Ta, Mo) as well as polarizability and covalency of Nb–O and Ta–O bonds have a great effect on the second harmonic generation. - Highlights: • CsNbMoO{sub 6} and CsTaMoO{sub 6} homogeneous single crystals have been grown. • The crystal structure of CsTaMoO{sub 6} has been studied. • Nonlinear optical properties of CsNbMoO{sub 6} and CsTaMoO{sub 6} have been found. • The microscopic origin of the second harmonic generation (SHG) response have been identified.« less

  12. BeReTa: a systematic method for identifying target transcriptional regulators to enhance microbial production of chemicals.

    PubMed

    Kim, Minsuk; Sun, Gwanggyu; Lee, Dong-Yup; Kim, Byung-Gee

    2017-01-01

    Modulation of regulatory circuits governing the metabolic processes is a crucial step for developing microbial cell factories. Despite the prevalence of in silico strain design algorithms, most of them are not capable of predicting required modifications in regulatory networks. Although a few algorithms may predict relevant targets for transcriptional regulator (TR) manipulations, they have limited reliability and applicability due to their high dependency on the availability of integrated metabolic/regulatory models. We present BeReTa (Beneficial Regulator Targeting), a new algorithm for prioritization of TR manipulation targets, which makes use of unintegrated network models. BeReTa identifies TR manipulation targets by evaluating regulatory strengths of interactions and beneficial effects of reactions, and subsequently assigning beneficial scores for the TRs. We demonstrate that BeReTa can predict both known and novel TR manipulation targets for enhanced production of various chemicals in Escherichia coli Furthermore, through a case study of antibiotics production in Streptomyces coelicolor, we successfully demonstrate its wide applicability to even less-studied organisms. To the best of our knowledge, BeReTa is the first strain design algorithm exclusively designed for predicting TR manipulation targets. MATLAB code is available at https://github.com/kms1041/BeReTa (github). byungkim@snu.ac.krSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  13. Hydriding and dehydriding rates of Mg, Mg-10TaF5, and Mg-10NbF5 prepared via reactive mechanical grinding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Myoung Youp; Kwak, Young Jun; Lee, Seong Ho; Park, Hye Ryoung

    2015-01-01

    In this work, TaF5 and NbF5 were chosen as additives to enhance the hydriding and dehydriding rates of Mg. Mg, Mg-10TaF5, and Mg-10NbF5 samples were prepared by reactive mechanical grinding. The hydriding and dehydriding properties of the samples were then examined. Mg-10TaF5 had the largest amount of hydrogen absorbed for 30 min and the highest initial dehydriding rate after incubation period, followed in order by Mg-10NbF5, and Mg. At 593 K under 12 bar H2 at the first cycle, Mg-10TaF5 absorbed 3.63 wt% H for 5 min and 4.53 wt% H for 30 min. At 593 K under 1.0 bar H2 at the first cycle, Mg-10TaF5 desorbed 0 wt% H for 2.5 min, 0.59 wt% H for 5 min, 3.42 wt% H for 30 min, and 4.24 wt% H for 60 min. The reactive mechanical grinding of Mg with TaF5 or NbF5 is believed to have facilitated the nucleation and to have decreased the diffusion distances of hydrogen atoms. These two effects are believed to have increased the hydriding and dehydriding rates of Mg. The MgF2 and Ta2H formed in Mg-10TaF5, and the MgF2, NbH2, and NbF3 formed in Mg-10NbF5 are considered to have enhanced both of these effects.

  14. TaDIR1-2, a Wheat Ortholog of Lipid Transfer Protein AtDIR1 Contributes to Negative Regulation of Wheat Resistance against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

    PubMed Central

    Ahmed, Soyed M.; Liu, Peng; Xue, Qinghe; Ji, Changan; Qi, Tuo; Guo, Jia; Guo, Jun; Kang, Zhensheng

    2017-01-01

    Very few LTPs have been shown to act through plasma membrane receptors or to be involved in the hypersensitive response (HR). DIR1, a new type of plant LTP interacts with lipids in vitro, moves to distant tissues during systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and therefore is thought to be involved in long-distance signaling during SAR. However, the exact functions of DIR1 orthologs in cereal species under biotic and abiotic stresses have not been thoroughly defined. In this study, a novel wheat ortholog of the DIR1 gene, TaDIR1-2, was isolated from Suwon11, a Chinese cultivar of wheat and functionally characterized. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that TaDIR1-2 is clustered within the nsLTP-Type II group and shows a closer relationship with DIR1 orthologs from monocots than from eudicots. TaDIR1-2 was localized in the cytoplasm and the cell membrane of wheat mesophyll protoplast. Transcription of TaDIR1-2 was detected in wheat roots, stems and leaves. TaDIR1-2 transcript was significantly induced during the compatible interaction of wheat with the stripe rust pathogen, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Treatments with salicylic acid (SA) and low temperature significantly up-regulated the expression of TaDIR1-2. Transient overexpression of TaDIR1-2 did not induce cell death or suppress Bax-induced cell death in tobacco leaves. Knocking down the expression of TaDIR1-2 through virus-induced gene silencing increased wheat resistance to Pst accompanied by HR, increased accumulation of H2O2 and SA, increased expression of TaPR1, TaPR2, TaPAL, and TaNOX, and decreased expression of two reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging genes TaCAT and TaSOD. Our results suggest that TaDIR1-2 acts as a negative regulator in wheat resistance to Pst by modulating ROS and/or SA-induced signaling. PMID:28443114

  15. Preparation and visible-light photocatalytic properties of BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ by a citrate method

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhai, Hai-Fa, E-mail: haifazhai@126.com; Li, Ai-Dong, E-mail: adli@nju.edu.cn; Kong, Ji-Zhou

    2013-06-01

    Visible-light photcatalysts of BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ powders have been successfully synthesized by a citrate method. The formation of pure triclinic phase of BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ at low temperature of 700 °C can be attributed to the advantage of the citrate method. The photocatalytic activity and possible mechanism were investigated deeply. For BiNbO₄ particles, the mechanism of methyl violet (MV) degradation under visible light irradiation involves photocatalytic and photosensitization pathways and the catalyst specific surface area has dominant influence. While for BiTaO₄ particles, the dominant mechanism arises from photosensitization pathways and a trade off between high specific surface area and goodmore » crystallinity is achieved. BiNbO₄ powder calcined at 700 °C shows the best photocatalytic efficiency among these catalysts, which is ascribed to its large surface area and more positive conduction band level. The optimal catalyst loading, additive H₂O₂ concentration and pH value is around 1 g/L, 2 mmol/L and 8 mmol/L, respectively. - Graphical abstract: Photodegradation performance and adsorption ability of BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ powders, respectively. BNO700 with the best photocatalytic efficiency is ascribed to its large surface area and more positive conduction band level. Highlights: • Pure BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ powders were prepared by a citrate method. • Excellent performance of visible-light degradation of MV was observed. • Different MV degradation mechanism for BiNbO₄ and BiTaO₄ powders was proposed. • BNO700 has large surface area and more positive conduction band level.« less

  16. Orbital selectivity causing anisotropy and particle-hole asymmetry in the charge density wave gap of 2 H - TaS 2

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhao, J.; Wijayaratne, K.; Butler, A.

    We report an in-depth angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study on 2H-TaS2, a canonical incommensurate charge density wave (CDW) system. This study demonstrates that just as in related incommensurate CDW systems, 2H-TaSe2 and 2H-NbSe2, the energy gap (triangle(CDW)) of 2H-TaS2 is localized along the K-centered Fermi surface barrels and is particle-hole asymmetric. The persistence of triangle(CDW) even at temperatures higher than the CDW transition temperature T-CDW in 2H-TaS2, reflects the similar pseudogap behavior observed previously in 2H-TaSe2 and 2H-NbSe2. However, in sharp contrast to 2H-NbSe2, where triangle(CDW) is nonzero only in the vicinity of a few "hot spots" on the innerK-centered Fermimore » surface barrels, triangle(CDW) in 2H-TaS2 is nonzero along the entirety of both K-centered Fermi surface barrels. Based on a tight-binding model, we attribute this dichotomy in the momentum dependence and the Fermi surface specificity of triangle(CDW) between otherwise similar CDW compounds to the different orbital orientations of their electronic states that participate in the CDW pairing. Our results suggest that the orbital selectivity plays a critical role in the description of incommensurate CDW materials.« less

  17. Orbital selectivity causing anisotropy and particle-hole asymmetry in the charge density wave gap of 2 H -TaS2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, J.; Wijayaratne, K.; Butler, A.; Yang, J.; Malliakas, C. D.; Chung, D. Y.; Louca, D.; Kanatzidis, M. G.; van Wezel, J.; Chatterjee, U.

    2017-09-01

    We report an in-depth angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study on 2 H -TaS2 , a canonical incommensurate charge density wave (CDW) system. This study demonstrates that just as in related incommensurate CDW systems, 2 H -TaSe2 and 2 H -NbSe2 , the energy gap (ΔCDW) of 2 H -TaS2 is localized along the K -centered Fermi surface barrels and is particle-hole asymmetric. The persistence of ΔCDW even at temperatures higher than the CDW transition temperature TCDW in 2 H -TaS2 , reflects the similar pseudogap behavior observed previously in 2 H -TaSe2 and 2 H -NbSe2 . However, in sharp contrast to 2 H -NbSe2 , where ΔCDW is nonzero only in the vicinity of a few "hot spots" on the inner K -centered Fermi surface barrels, ΔCDW in 2 H -TaS2 is nonzero along the entirety of both K -centered Fermi surface barrels. Based on a tight-binding model, we attribute this dichotomy in the momentum dependence and the Fermi surface specificity of ΔCDW between otherwise similar CDW compounds to the different orbital orientations of their electronic states that participate in the CDW pairing. Our results suggest that the orbital selectivity plays a critical role in the description of incommensurate CDW materials.

  18. Threshold photoionization and density functional theory studies of bimetallic-carbide nanocrystals and fragments: Ta3ZrC(y) (y = 0-4).

    PubMed

    Dryza, V; Metha, G F

    2009-06-28

    Gas-phase bimetallic tantalum-zirconium-carbide clusters are generated using a constructed double ablation cluster source. The Ta(3)ZrC(y) (y = 0-4) clusters are examined by photoionization efficiency spectroscopy to extract experimental ionization energies (IEs). The IE trend for the Ta(3)ZrC(y) cluster series is reasonably similar to that of the Ta(4)C(y) cluster series [V. Dryza et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 109, 11180 (2005)], although the IE reductions upon carbon addition are greater for the former. Complementary density functional theory calculations are performed for the various isomers constructed by attaching carbon atoms to the different faces of the tetrahedral Ta(3)Zr cluster. The good agreement between the experimental IE trend and that calculated for these isomers support a 2x2x2 face centered cubic nanocrystal structure for Ta(4)ZrC(4) and nanocrystal fragment structures for the smaller clusters.

  19. Effect of temperature on the electrical properties of a metal-ferroelectric (SrBi2Ta2O9)-insulator (HfTaO)-silicon capacitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Y. Q.; Xu, X. B.; Lei, Z. F.; Y Liao, X.; Wang, X.; Zeng, C.; En, Y. F.; Huang, Y.

    2015-01-01

    A metal-ferroelectric (SrBi2Ta2O9)-insulator (HfTaO)-semiconductor capacitor was fabricated, and the temperature dependence of its electrical properties was investigated. Within the temperature range of 300-220 K, the maximum memory window is up to 1.26 V, and it could be attributed to a higher coercive field of the ferroelectric film at a lower temperature, which is induced by the deeper and more box-shaped potential well based on the defect-domain interaction model. The memory window decreases with increasing temperature from 300 to 400 K, and the larger sweep voltage leads to a smaller memory window at a higher temperature, which could be attributed to temperature-dependent polarization of the ferroelectric film and charge injection from an Si substrate of the capacitor. With the temperature increasing from 220 to 400 K, the leakage current density increases with temperature by about one order, and the corresponding conduction mechanism is discussed. The results could provide useful guidelines for design and application of ferroelectric memory.

  20. Ectopic expression of wheat expansin gene TaEXPA2 improved the salt tolerance of transgenic tobacco by regulating Na+ /K+ and antioxidant competence.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yanhui; Han, Yangyang; Kong, Xiangzhu; Kang, Hanhan; Ren, Yuanqing; Wang, Wei

    2017-02-01

    High salinity is one of the most serious environmental stresses that limit crop growth. Expansins are cell wall proteins that regulate plant development and abiotic stress tolerance by mediating cell wall expansion. We studied the function of a wheat expansin gene, TaEXPA2, in salt stress tolerance by overexpressing it in tobacco. Overexpression of TaEXPA2 enhanced the salt stress tolerance of transgenic tobacco plants as indicated by the presence of higher germination rates, longer root length, more lateral roots, higher survival rates and more green leaves under salt stress than in the wild type (WT). Further, when leaf disks of WT plants were incubated in cell wall protein extracts from the transgenic tobacco plants, their chlorophyll content was higher under salt stress, and this improvement from TaEXPA2 overexpression in transgenic tobacco was inhibited by TaEXPA2 protein antibody. The water status of transgenic tobacco plants was improved, perhaps by the accumulation of osmolytes such as proline and soluble sugar. TaEXPA2-overexpressing tobacco lines exhibited lower Na + but higher K + accumulation than WT plants. Antioxidant competence increased in the transgenic plants because of the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. TaEXPA2 protein abundance in wheat was induced by NaCl, and ABA signaling was involved. Gene expression regulation was involved in the enhanced salt stress tolerance of the TaEXPA2 transgenic plants. Our results suggest that TaEXPA2 overexpression confers salt stress tolerance on the transgenic plants, and this is associated with improved water status, Na + /K + homeostasis, and antioxidant competence. ABA signaling participates in TaEXPA2-regulated salt stress tolerance. © 2016 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

  1. Radionuclide production and dose rate estimation during the commissioning of the W-Ta spallation target

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Q. Z.; Liang, T. J.

    2018-06-01

    China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) is intended to begin operation in 2018. CSNS is an accelerator-base multidisciplinary user facility. The pulsed neutrons are produced by a 1.6GeV short-pulsed proton beam impinging on a W-Ta spallation target, at a beam power of100 kW and a repetition rate of 25 Hz. 20 neutron beam lines are extracted for the neutron scattering and neutron irradiation research. During the commissioning and maintenance scenarios, the gamma rays induced from the W-Ta target can cause the dose threat to the personal and the environment. In this paper, the gamma dose rate distributions for the W-Ta spallation are calculated, based on the engineering model of the target-moderator-reflector system. The shipping cask is analyzed to satisfy the dose rate limit that less than 2 mSv/h at the surface of the shipping cask. All calculations are performed by the Monte carlo code MCNPX2.5 and the activation code CINDER’90.

  2. Selective etching of TiN over TaN and vice versa in chlorine-containing plasmas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shin, Hyungjoo; Zhu Weiye; Liu Lei

    2013-05-15

    Selectivity of etching between physical vapor-deposited TiN and TaN was studied in chlorine-containing plasmas, under isotropic etching conditions. Etching rates for blanket films were measured in-situ using optical emission of the N{sub 2} (C{sup 3}{Pi}{sub u}{yields}B{sup 3}{Pi}{sub g}) bandhead at 337 nm to determine the etching time, and transmission electron microscopy to determine the starting film thickness. The etching selectivity in Cl{sub 2}/He or HCl/He plasmas was poor (<2:1). There was a window of very high selectivity of etching TiN over TaN by adding small amounts (<1%) of O{sub 2} in the Cl{sub 2}/He plasma. Reverse selectivity (10:1 of TaNmore » etching over TiN) was observed when adding small amounts of O{sub 2} to the HCl/He plasma. Results are explained on the basis of the volatility of plausible reaction products.« less

  3. Novel Ti-Ta-Hf-Zr alloys with promising mechanical properties for prospective stent applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Jixing; Ozan, Sertan; Li, Yuncang; Ping, Dehai; Tong, Xian; Li, Guangyu; Wen, Cuie

    2016-11-01

    Titanium alloys are receiving increasing research interest for the development of metallic stent materials due to their excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, non-magnetism and radiopacity. In this study, a new series of Ti-Ta-Hf-Zr (TTHZ) alloys including Ti-37Ta-26Hf-13Zr, Ti-40Ta-22Hf-11.7Zr and Ti-45Ta-18.4Hf-10Zr (wt.%) were designed using the d-electron theory combined with electron to atom ratio (e/a) and molybdenum equivalence (Moeq) approaches. The microstructure of the TTHZ alloys were investigated using optical microscopy, XRD, SEM and TEM and the mechanical properties were tested using a Vickers micro-indenter, compression and tensile testing machines. The cytocompatibility of the alloys was assessed using osteoblast-like cells in vitro. The as-cast TTHZ alloys consisted of primarily β and ω nanoparticles and their tensile strength, yield strength, Young’s modulus and elastic admissible strain were measured as being between 1000.7-1172.8 MPa, 1000.7-1132.2 MPa, 71.7-79.1 GPa and 1.32-1.58%, respectively. The compressive yield strength of the as-cast alloys ranged from 1137.0 to 1158.0 MPa. The TTHZ alloys exhibited excellent cytocompatibility as indicated by their high cell viability ratios, which were close to that of CP-Ti. The TTHZ alloys can be anticipated to be promising metallic stent materials by virtue of the unique combination of extraordinarily high elastic admissible strain, high mechanical strength and excellent biocompatibility.

  4. Novel Ti-Ta-Hf-Zr alloys with promising mechanical properties for prospective stent applications

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Jixing; Ozan, Sertan; Li, Yuncang; Ping, Dehai; Tong, Xian; Li, Guangyu; Wen, Cuie

    2016-01-01

    Titanium alloys are receiving increasing research interest for the development of metallic stent materials due to their excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, non-magnetism and radiopacity. In this study, a new series of Ti-Ta-Hf-Zr (TTHZ) alloys including Ti-37Ta-26Hf-13Zr, Ti-40Ta-22Hf-11.7Zr and Ti-45Ta-18.4Hf-10Zr (wt.%) were designed using the d-electron theory combined with electron to atom ratio (e/a) and molybdenum equivalence (Moeq) approaches. The microstructure of the TTHZ alloys were investigated using optical microscopy, XRD, SEM and TEM and the mechanical properties were tested using a Vickers micro-indenter, compression and tensile testing machines. The cytocompatibility of the alloys was assessed using osteoblast-like cells in vitro. The as-cast TTHZ alloys consisted of primarily β and ω nanoparticles and their tensile strength, yield strength, Young’s modulus and elastic admissible strain were measured as being between 1000.7–1172.8 MPa, 1000.7–1132.2 MPa, 71.7–79.1 GPa and 1.32–1.58%, respectively. The compressive yield strength of the as-cast alloys ranged from 1137.0 to 1158.0 MPa. The TTHZ alloys exhibited excellent cytocompatibility as indicated by their high cell viability ratios, which were close to that of CP-Ti. The TTHZ alloys can be anticipated to be promising metallic stent materials by virtue of the unique combination of extraordinarily high elastic admissible strain, high mechanical strength and excellent biocompatibility. PMID:27897215

  5. Direct Metal Deposition of Refractory High Entropy Alloy MoNbTaW

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dobbelstein, Henrik; Thiele, Magnus; Gurevich, Evgeny L.; George, Easo P.; Ostendorf, Andreas

    Alloying of refractory high entropy alloys (HEAs) such as MoNbTaW is usually done by vacuum arc melting (VAM) or powder metallurgy (PM) due to the high melting points of the elements. Machining to produce the final shape of parts is often needed after the PM process. Casting processes, which are often used for aerospace components (turbine blades, vanes), are not possible. Direct metal deposition (DMD) is an additive manufacturing technique used for the refurbishment of superalloy components, but generating these components from the bottom up is also of current research interest. MoNbTaW possesses high yield strength at high temperatures and could be an alternative to state-of-the-art materials. In this study, DMD of an equimolar mixture of elemental powders was performed with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Single wall structures were built, deposition strategies developed and the microstructure of MoNbTaW was analyzed by back scattered electrons (BSE) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy in a scanning electron microscope. DMD enables the generation of composition gradients by using dynamic powder mixing instead of pre-alloyed powders. However, the simultaneous handling of several elemental or pre-alloyed powders brings new challenges to the deposition process. The influence of thermal properties, melting point and vapor pressure on the deposition process and chemical composition will be discussed.

  6. Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} microcolumn films fabricated using facile reactive sputtering

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lin, Der-Hwa; Chang, Kao-Shuo, E-mail: kschang@mail.ncku.edu.tw; Promotion Center for Global Materials Research, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan

    2016-08-21

    This paper presents the photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} microcolumn films. The highlights include (1) overcoming the fundamental barrier of standard reactive sputtering for fabricating microcolumns; (2) preventing unnecessary complexity from complicating facile sputtering; (3) an alternative but effective approach for fabricating Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} without using caustic NH{sub 3} gases; (4) investigating morphology tuning for favorable photocatalysis and PEC reactions; and (5) elucidating the relationships of the structures, morphologies, and properties of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} microcolumns. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selective-area electron diffraction verified the polycrystallinity of Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} microcolumns, of which themore » elemental compositions and stoichiometry were measured using electron-probe energy dispersive spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The corresponding band gap was determined to be approximately 2.1 eV. The sample exhibited a superior photodegradation capability; the photodegradation rate constant k was determined to be approximately 1.4 times higher than that of P25 under UV irradiation. A photocatalytic and PEC cycling test indicated the photodegradation reusability and photostability of the Ta{sub 3}N{sub 5} microcolumns. The incident photon-to-current efficiency performance reached 6%, suggesting that these microcolumns hold potential for application in PEC devices.« less

  7. Functional Interactions between Major Rice Blast Resistance Genes, Pi-ta and Pi-b, and Minor Blast Resistance QTL.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xinglong; Jia, Yulin; Jia, Melissa H; Pinson, Shannon; Wang, Xueyan; Wu, Bo Ming

    2018-04-16

    Major blast resistance (R) genes confer resistance in a gene-for-gene manner. However, little information is available on interactions between R genes. In this study, interactions between two rice blast R genes, Pi-ta and Pi-b, and other minor blast resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) were investigated in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population comprising of 243 RILs from a 'Cybonnet' (CYBT)×'Saber' (SB) cross. CYBT has the R gene Pi-ta and SB has Pi-b. Ten differential isolates of four Magnaporthe oryzae races (IB-1, IB-17, IB-49, and IE-1K) were used to evaluate disease reactions of the 243 RILs under greenhouse conditions. Five resistance QTL were mapped on chromosomes 2, 3, 8, 9, and 12 with a linkage map of 179 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Among them, qBR12 (Q1), was mapped at the Pi-ta locus and accounted for 45.41% of phenotypic variation while qBR2 (Q2) was located at the Pi-b locus and accounted for24.81%of disease reactions. An additive-by-additive epistatic interaction between Q1 (Pi-ta) and Q2 (Pi-b) was detected; they can enhance the disease resistance by an additive 0.93 using the 0 to 9 standard phenotyping method. These results suggest that Pi-ta interacts synergistically with Pi-b.

  8. TaMYB13-1, a R2R3 MYB transcription factor, regulates the fructan synthetic pathway and contributes to enhanced fructan accumulation in bread wheat

    PubMed Central

    Kooiker, Maarten; Drenth, Janneke; Glassop, Donna; McIntyre, C. Lynne; Xue, Gang-Ping

    2013-01-01

    Fructans are the major component of temporary carbon reserve in the stem of temperate cereals, which is used for grain filling. Three families of fructosyltransferases are directly involved in fructan synthesis in the vacuole of Triticum aestivum. The regulatory network of the fructan synthetic pathway is largely unknown. Recently, a sucrose-upregulated wheat MYB transcription factor (TaMYB13-1) was shown to be capable of activating the promoter activities of sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST) and sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) in transient transactivation assays. This work investigated TaMYB13-1 target genes and their influence on fructan synthesis in transgenic wheat. TaMYB13-1 overexpression resulted in upregulation of all three families of fructosyltransferases including fructan:fructan 1-fructosyltransferase (1-FFT). A γ-vacuolar processing enzyme (γ-VPE1), potentially involved in processing the maturation of fructosyltransferases in the vacuole, was also upregulated by TaMYB13-1 overexpression. Multiple TaMYB13 DNA-binding motifs were identified in the Ta1-FFT1 and Taγ-VPE1 promoters and were bound strongly by TaMYB13-1. The expression profiles of these target genes and TaMYB13-1 were highly correlated in recombinant inbred lines and during stem development as well as the transgenic and non-transgenic wheat dataset, further supporting a direct regulation of these genes by TaMYB13-1. TaMYB13-1 overexpression in wheat led to enhanced fructan accumulation in the leaves and stems and also increased spike weight and grain weight per spike in transgenic plants under water-limited conditions. These data suggest that TaMYB13-1 plays an important role in coordinated upregulation of genes necessary for fructan synthesis and can be used as a molecular tool to improve the high fructan trait. PMID:23873993

  9. The glass-like thermal conductivity in ZrO2-Dy3TaO7 ceramic for promising thermal barrier coating application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Peng; Hu, Ming Yu; Chong, Xiao Yu; Feng, Jing

    2018-03-01

    Using the solid-state reaction method, the (ZrO2)x-(Dy3TaO7)1-x (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1) ceramics are synthesized in this work. The identification of the crystal structures indicates that the (ZrO2)x-(Dy3TaO7)1-x ceramics belong to the orthorhombic system, and the space group is C2221 in spite of the value of x increasing to 0.1. The thermal conductivities of the (ZrO2)x-(Dy3TaO7)1-x ceramics range from 1.3 W/(m K) to 1.8 W/(m K), and this value is much lower than that of 7-8 YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia). Besides, the (ZrO2)x-(Dy3TaO7)1-x ceramics possess the glass-like thermal conductivity caused by intrinsic oxygen vacancies existing in the lattice of Dy3TaO7. Moreover, the results of thermal expansion rates demonstrate that the (ZrO2)x-(Dy3TaO7)1-x ceramics possess excellent high temperature phase stability, and the thermal expansion coefficients [(9.7-11) × 10-6 K-1] are comparable to that of 7-8 YSZ.

  10. Synthesis, crystal structure, and photocatalytic activity of a new two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper phase, Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7}

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liang Zhenhua; Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026; Tang Kaibin

    2008-04-15

    A new two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper phase Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} has been synthesized for the first time. The detailed structure determination of Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} performed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (ED) shows that it crystallizes in the space group Fmmm [a{approx}5.5153(1), b{approx}5.4646(1), c{approx}18.2375(3)A]. UV-visible diffuse reflection spectrum of the prepared Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} indicates that it had absorption in the UV region. The photocatalytic activity of the Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} powders was evaluated by degradation of RhB molecules in water under ultra visible light irradiation. The results showed that Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} hasmore » high photocatalytic activity at room temperature. Therefore, the preparation and properties studies of Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} with a two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper structure suggest potential future applications in photocatalysis. - Graphical abstract: Crystal structure of a two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper phase Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} A new two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper phase Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} has been synthesized for the first time. Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} crystallizes in the space group Fmmm determined by powder X-ray and electron diffraction. UV-visible diffuse reflection spectra and the photocatalytic degradation of RhB molecules in water under ultra visible light irradiation show that Li{sub 2}CaTa{sub 2}O{sub 7} is a potential material in photocatalysis.« less

  11. Effects of TiN coating on the corrosion of nanostructured Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys for dental implants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Won-Gi; Choe, Han-Cheol

    2012-01-01

    Electrochemical characteristics of a titanium nitride (TiN)-coated/nanotube-formed Ti-Ta-Zr alloy for biomaterials have been researched by using the magnetic sputter and electrochemical methods. Ti-30Ta-xZr (x = 3, 7 and 15 wt%) alloys were prepared by arc melting and heat treated for 24 h at 1000 °C in an argon atmosphere and then water quenching. The formation of oxide nanotubes was achieved by anodizing a Ti-30Ta-xZr alloy in H3PO4 electrolytes containing small amounts of fluoride ions at room temperature. Anodization was carried out using a scanning potentiostat, and all experiments were conducted at room temperature. The microstructure and morphology of nanotube arrays were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The TiN coatings were obtained by the radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique. The depositions were performed from pure Ti targets on Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys substrates. The corrosion properties of the specimens were examined using potentiodynamic test in a 0.9% NaCl solution by using potentiostat. The microstructures of Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys were changed from an equiaxed to a needle-like structure with increasing Zr content. The interspace between the nanotubes was approximately 20, 80 and 200 nm for Zr contents of 3, 7 and 15 wt%, respectively. The corrosion resistance of the TiN-coated on the anodized Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys was higher than that of the untreated Ti alloys, indicating a better protective effect.

  12. SU-F-T-662: Feasibility Study of Fe3O4/TaOx Nano Particles as a Radiosensitizer for Radiation Therapy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ahn, S; Lee, N; Shin, S

    Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using multifunctional Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx(core / shell) nano particles developed for CT and MRI contrast agent as dose enhancing radiosensitizers. Methods: Firstly, to verify the imaging detectability of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx nano particles, in-vivo tests were conducted. Approximately 600 mg/kg of 19 nm diameter Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx nano particles dispersed in phosphate buffered saline(PBS) were injected to ten nude Balb/c mice through the tail vein. Difference between pre- and post-injection images was analyzed by computing the pixel histogram and correlation coefficient factor using MATLAB in the user defined ROI. Secondly, to quantify the potentialmore » therapeutic enhancement with nano materials, DER (Dose Enhancement Ratio) and number of SER (Secondary Electron Ratio) were computed using TOPAS(ver.2.0 P-03) MC simulation. Results: In CT, MRI imaging, the aorta, the blood vessel, and the liver were clearly visualized after intravenous injection of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx nano particles. There was large different between pre and post-injection images of Histogram data and Coefficients of correlation factor in CT and MR are 0.006, 0.060, respectively. When 70 MeV protons were irradiated for a Gold, Tantalum, TaOx, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nano particle, DER was 2.59, 2.41, 1.68, 1.54 and 1.36 respectively. Similarly, SER increment was 2.31, 2.15, 1.56, 1.46, and 1.27 for Gold, Tantalum, TaOx, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nano particle, respectively. Conclusion: Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx nano particles have potential as a multifunctional agent which enhances the accuracy in cancer detection through visualization of developed tumor lesion and increases the therapeutic effect in proton therapy. The dose enhancement with Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/TaOx was estimated as half of the Gold. However, tumor targeting such as combined with magnetic field may overcome the low DER. This research was

  13. MHC2TA mRNA levels and human herpesvirus 6 in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta along two-year follow-up

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background In previous studies we found that MHC2TA +1614 genotype frequency was very different when MS patients with and without human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in serum samples were compared; a different clinical behavior was also described. The purpose of the study was: 1. To evaluate if MHC2TA expression in MS patients was influenced by interferon beta (IFN-beta) treatment. 2. To study MHC2TA expression in MS patients with and without minor allele C. 3. To analyze the relation between MHC2TA mRNA levels and HHV-6 active infection in MS patients. Methods Blood and serum samples of 154 MS patients were collected in five programmed visits: basal (prior to beginning IFN-beta treatment), six, twelve, eighteen and twenty-four months later. HHV-6 in serum and MHC2TA mRNA levels were evaluated by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against IFN-beta were analyzed by the cytopathic effect assay. Results We found that MHC2TA mRNA levels were significantly lower among MS patients with HHV-6 active infection at the basal visit (without treatment) than in those MS patients without HHV-6 active infection at the basal visit (p = 0.012); in all the positive samples we only found variant A. Furthermore, 58/99 (58.6%) MS patients without HHV-6 along the five programmed visits and an increase of MHC2TA expression after two-years of IFN-beta treatment were clinical responders vs. 5/21 (23.8%) among those MS patients with HHV-6 and a decrease of MHC2TA mRNA levels along the two-years with IFN-beta treatment (p = 0.004); no differences were found between patients with and without NAbs. Conclusions MHC2TA mRNA levels could be decreased by the active replication of HHV-6; the absence of HHV-6 in serum and the increase of MHC2TA expression could be further studied as markers of good clinical response to IFN-beta treatment. PMID:23009575

  14. TaSK5, an abiotic stress-inducible GSK3/shaggy-like kinase from wheat, confers salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Christov, Nikolai Kirilov; Christova, Petya Koeva; Kato, Hideki; Liu, Yuelin; Sasaki, Kentaro; Imai, Ryozo

    2014-11-01

    A novel cold-inducible GSK3/shaggy-like kinase, TaSK5, was isolated from winter wheat using a macroarray-based differential screening approach. TaSK5 showed high similarity to Arabidopsis subgroup I GSK3/shaggy-like kinases ASK-alpha, AtSK-gamma and ASK-epsilon. RNA gel blot analyses revealed TaSK5 induction by cold and NaCl treatments and to a lesser extent by drought treatment. TaSK5 functionally complemented the cold- and salt-sensitive phenotypes of a yeast GSK3/shaggy-like kinase mutant, △mck1. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing TaSK5 cDNA showed enhanced tolerance to salt and drought stresses. By contrast, the tolerance of the transgenic plants to freezing stress was not altered. Microarray analysis revealed that a number of abiotic stress-inducible genes were constitutively induced in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants, suggesting that TaSK5 may function in a novel signal transduction pathway that appears to be unrelated to DREB1/CBF regulon and may involve crosstalk between abiotic and hormonal signals. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  15. Improvement of SET variability in TaO x based resistive RAM devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schönhals, Alexander; Waser, Rainer; Wouters, Dirk J.

    2017-11-01

    Improvement or at least control of variability is one of the key challenges for Redox based resistive switching memory technology. In this paper, we investigate the impact of a serial resistor as a voltage divider on the SET variability in Pt/Ta2O5/Ta/Pt nano crossbar devices. A partial RESET in a competing complementary switching (CS) mode is identified as a possible failure mechanism of bipolar switching SET in our devices. Due to a voltage divider effect, serial resistance value shows unequal impact on switching voltages of both modes which allows for a selective suppression of the CS mode. The impact of voltage divider on SET variability is demonstrated. A combination of appropriate write voltage and serial resistance allows for a significant improvement of the SET variability.

  16. TA-55 and Sigma Overview

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Spearing, Dane Robert

    These are slides from a facility overview presentation for visiting agencies to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The TA-55 Plutonium Facility (PF-4) is discussed in detail. PF-4 is a unique resource for US plutonium programs. The basic design is flexible and has adapted to changing national needs. It is a robust facility with strong safety and security implementation. It supports a variety of national programs. It will continue for many years into the future. Sigma is then discussed in detail, which handles everything from hydrogen to uranium. It has been in long term service to the Nation (nearly 60 years).more » It has a flexible authorization basis to handle almost the entire periodic table. It has a wide breadth of prototyping and characterization capabilities. It has integrated program and line management.« less

  17. Effect of Glucose Concentration on Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Pure Titanium TA2 in Hanks’ Simulated Body Fluid

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Shuyue; Wang, Bing; Zhang, Peirong

    2016-01-01

    Titanium and its alloys have been widely used as implant materials due to their excellent mechanical property and biocompatibility. In the present study, the effect of glucose concentration on corrosion behavior of pure titanium TA2 in Hanks’ simulated body fluid is investigated by the electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization methods. The range of glucose concentrations investigated in this research includes 5 mmol/L (limosis for healthy people), 7 mmol/L (after diet for healthy people), 10 mmol/L (limosis for hyperglycemia patient), and 12 mmol/L (after diet for hyperglycemia patient), as well as, 15 mmol/L and 20 mmol/L, which represent different body fluid environments. The results indicate that the pure titanium TA2 demonstrates the best corrosion resistance when the glucose concentration is less than 10 mmol/L, which shows that the pure titanium TA2 as implant material can play an effective role in the body fluids with normal and slight high glucose concentrations. Comparatively, the corrosion for the pure titanium implant is more probable when the glucose concentration is over 10 mmol/L due to the premature penetration through passive film on the material surface. Corrosion defects of pitting and crevice exist on the corroded surface, and the depth of corrosion is limited to three microns with a low corrosion rate. The oxidation film on the surface of pure titanium TA2 has a protective effect on the corrosion behavior of the implant inner material. The corrosion behavior of pure titanium TA2 will happen easily once the passive film has been penetrated through. The corrosion rate for TA2 implant will accelerate quickly and a pure titanium implant cannot be used. PMID:28773993

  18. Electronic structures of anatase (TiO2)1-x(TaON)x solid solutions: a first-principles study.

    PubMed

    Dang, Wenqiang; Chen, Hungru; Umezawa, Naoto; Zhang, Junying

    2015-07-21

    Sensitizing wide band gap photo-functional materials under visible-light irradiation is an important task for efficient solar energy conversion. Although nitrogen doping into anatase TiO2 has been extensively studied for this purpose, it is hard to increase the nitrogen content in anatase TiO2 because of the aliovalent nitrogen substituted for oxygen, leading to the formation of secondary phases or defects that hamper the migration of photoexcited charge carriers. In this paper, electronic structures of (TiO2)1-x(TaON)x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solutions, in which the stoichiometry is satisfied with the co-substitution of Ti for Ta along with O for N, are investigated within the anatase crystal structure using first-principles calculations. Our computational results show that the solid solutions have substantially narrower band gaps than TiO2, without introducing any localized energy states in the forbidden gap. In addition, in comparison with the pristine TiO2, the solid solution has a direct band gap when the content of TaON exceeds 0.25, which is advantageous to light absorption. The valence band maximum (VBM) of the solid solutions, which is mainly composed of N 2p states hybridized with O 2p, Ti 3d or Ta 5d orbitals, is higher in energy than that of pristine anatase TiO2 consisting of non-bonding O 2p states. On the other hand, incorporating TaON into TiO2 causes the formation of d-d bonding states through π interactions and substantially lowers the conduction band minimum (CBM) because of the shortened distance between some metal atoms. As a result, the anatase (TiO2)1-x(TaON)x is expected to become a promising visible-light absorber. In addition, some atomic configurations are found to possess exceptionally narrow band gaps.

  19. Pt nanoparticle on La0.02Na0.98TaO3 catalyst for hydrogen evolution from glycerol aqueous solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Husin, Husni; Adisalamun, Sy, Yuliana; Asnawi, Teku Muhammad; Hasfita, Fikri

    2017-01-01

    Pt nanoparticles on La-doped sodium tantalum oxide (La0.02Na0.98TaO3), which acts as an active co-catalyst for H2 evolution under UV light irradiation was successfully synthesized by photo-deposition method. The La0.02Na0.98TaO3 photocatalyst was obtained by the reaction of La(NO3)2.3H2O, TaCl5, and NaOH at ambient temperature. The catalyst produced was characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). SEM images of the La0.02Na0.98TaO3 sample showing that its particles size is ranging between 50-150 nm. The Pt particles are detected from HRTEM images is around 2-4 nm. The Pt/La0.02Na0.98TaO3 samples prepared were applied for photocatalytic H2 production at 30°C. The photocatalyst performance was evaluated for hydrogen production from water combining with glycerol as an electron donor (sacrificial reagent). The reactions were carried out in a closed reactor with a gas circulation system, illuminated with mercury (Hg) lamp. The experimental results show that the presence of glycerol in the systems can not only improve the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen generation but can also be decomposed to hydrogen efficiently. The photocatalytic activity of La0.02Na0.98TaO3 is significantly enhanced when Pt was loaded onto its crystalline surface.

  20. The Nitrate-Inducible NAC Transcription Factor TaNAC2-5A Controls Nitrate Response and Increases Wheat Yield1[OPEN

    PubMed Central

    He, Xue; Qu, Baoyuan; Li, Wenjing; Zhao, Xueqiang; Teng, Wan; Ma, Wenying; Ren, Yongzhe; Li, Bin; Li, Zhensheng; Tong, Yiping

    2015-01-01

    Nitrate is a major nitrogen resource for cereal crops; thus, understanding nitrate signaling in cereal crops is valuable for engineering crops with improved nitrogen use efficiency. Although several regulators have been identified in nitrate sensing and signaling in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the equivalent information in cereals is missing. Here, we isolated a nitrate-inducible and cereal-specific NAM, ATAF, and CUC (NAC) transcription factor, TaNAC2-5A, from wheat (Triticum aestivum). A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that TaNAC2-5A could directly bind to the promoter regions of the genes encoding nitrate transporter and glutamine synthetase. Overexpression of TaNAC2-5A in wheat enhanced root growth and nitrate influx rate and, hence, increased the root’s ability to acquire nitrogen. Furthermore, we found that TaNAC2-5A-overexpressing transgenic wheat lines had higher grain yield and higher nitrogen accumulation in aerial parts and allocated more nitrogen in grains in a field experiment. These results suggest that TaNAC2-5A is involved in nitrate signaling and show that it is an exciting gene resource for breeding crops with more efficient use of fertilizer. PMID:26371233

  1. Modeling of erosion and deposition patterns on C-W and W-Ta twin limiters exposed to the TEXTOR edge plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ohya, K.; Tanabe, T.; Rubel, M.; Wada, M.; Ohgo, T.; Hirai, T.; Philipps, V.; Kirschner, A.; Pospieszczyk, A.; Huber, A.; Sergienko, G.; Brezinsek, S.; Noda, N.

    2004-08-01

    The erosion and deposition patterns on tungsten and tantalum test limiters exposed to the TEXTOR deuterium plasma containing a small amount of C impurity are simulated with the modified EDDY code. At the very top of the W and Ta limiters, there occurs neither erosion nor deposition, but the erosion proceeds slowly along the surface. When approaching the edge, the surface is covered by a thick C layer, which shows a very sharp boundary similar to the observation in surface measurements. In the erosion zone, the re-deposited carbon forms a W (Ta)-C mixed layer with small C concentration. Assumptions for chemical erosion yields of ˜0.01 for W and <0.005 for Ta fit the calculated widths of the deposition zone to the experimentally determined values. Possible reasons for the difference between W and Ta are discussed.

  2. The tae-miR408-Mediated Control of TaTOC1 Genes Transcription Is Required for the Regulation of Heading Time in Wheat.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Xiang Yu; Hong, Po; Wu, Ji Yun; Chen, Xiang Bin; Ye, Xing Guo; Pan, Yan You; Wang, Jian; Zhang, Xian Sheng

    2016-03-01

    Timing of flowering is not only an interesting topic in developmental biology, but it also plays a significant role in agriculture for its effects on the maturation time of seed. The hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important crop species whose flowering time, i.e. heading time, greatly influences yield. However, it remains unclear whether and how microRNAs regulate heading time in it. In our current study, we identified the tae-miR408 in wheat and its targets in vivo, including Triticum aestivum TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION-A1 (TaTOC-A1), TaTOC-B1, and TaTOC-D1. The tae-miR408 levels were reciprocal to those of TaTOC1s under long-day and short-day conditions. Wheat plants with a knockdown of TaTOC1s via RNA interference and overexpression of tae-miR408 showed early-heading phenotype. Furthermore, TaTOC1s expression was down-regulated by the tae-miR408 in the hexaploid wheat. In addition, other important agronomic traits in wheat, such as plant height and flag leaf angle, were regulated by both tae-miR408 and TaTOC1s. Thus, our results suggested that the tae-miR408 functions in the wheat heading time by mediating TaTOC1s expression, and the study provides important new information on the mechanism underlying heading time regulation in wheat. © 2016 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

  3. 77 FR 40088 - Rollins College; T.A. Loving Co.; US Ecology Idaho, Inc.; and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-06

    ...] Rollins College; T.A. Loving Co.; US Ecology Idaho, Inc.; and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc... 11481 1910.37(i). T.A. Loving Co V-74-43 04/13/1976 41 FR 15483 1918.66(f)(1)(i). US Ecology Idaho, Inc.... US Ecology Idaho, Inc. The Agency granted Envirosafe Services, Inc. (now US Ecology Idaho, Inc.), a...

  4. Superconductivity and bandwidth-controlled Mott metal-insulator transition in 1T-TaS2-xSex

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ang, R.; Miyata, Y.; Ieki, E.; Nakayama, K.; Sato, T.; Liu, Y.; Lu, W. J.; Sun, Y. P.; Takahashi, T.

    2013-09-01

    We have performed high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) of layered chalcogenide 1T-TaS2-xSex to elucidate the electronic states especially relevant to the occurrence of superconductivity. We found a direct evidence for a Ta-5d-derived electron pocket associated with the superconductivity, which is fragile against a Mott-gap opening observed in the insulating ground state for S-rich samples. In particular, a strong electron-electron interaction-induced Mott gap driven by a Ta 5d orbital also exists in the metallic ground state for Se-rich samples, while finite ARPES intensity near the Fermi level likely originating from a Se 4p orbital survives, indicative of the orbital-selective nature of the Mott transition. Present results suggest that effective electron correlation and p-d hybridization play a crucial role to tune the superconductivity and Mott metal-insulator transition.

  5. Mutagenicity and genotoxicity studies of aspartame.

    PubMed

    Otabe, Akira; Ohta, Fumio; Takumi, Asuka; Lynch, Barry

    2018-02-08

    Two studies were conducted to further assess its mutagenic and genotoxic potential. In a bacterial reverse mutation pre-incubation study, Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA1535, TA98, and TA1537 and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA were treated with aspartame at concentrations of up to 5000 μg/plate with or without metabolic activation and showed no mutagenic potential. Similarly, in vivo micronucleus testing of aspartame following gavage administration (500-2000 mg/kg body weight) to Crlj:CD1(ICR) strain SPF male mice showed no increase in the proportion of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow cells collected and evaluated 24 or 48 h post administration. Overall, aspartame had no potential for mutagenic or genotoxic activity. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Mutagenicity of particulate emissions from the M16 rifle: variation with particle size.

    PubMed

    Palmer, W G; Andrews, A W; Mellini, D; Terra, J A; Hoffmann, F J; Hoke, S H

    1994-08-01

    Emissions generated by firing the M16 rifle with the propellant WC844 in a combustion chamber designed to simulate conditions of actual use were tested for mutagenic activity in the Salmonella/Ames assay. Dimethyl sulfoxide extracts of emissions collected from either the breech or muzzle end of the rifle were mutagenic in three strains of Salmonella (TA1537, TA1538, and TA98) both in the presence and absence of metabolic activation systems (S9). The extracts were negative in strains TA100 and TA102. Aerosols generated by firing the M16 rifle were fractionated according to aerodynamic diameter. Submicrometer particles were far more mutagenic than particles with aerodynamic diameters between 1 and 15 microns. The mutagens associated with the smaller particles were more active in the presence of S9, while extracts of larger particles were as active, or more active, in the absence of S9. Heavier particles, which settled rapidly out of the airstream, were not mutagenic.

  7. Overexpression of TaCML20, a calmodulin-like gene, enhances water soluble carbohydrate accumulation and yield in wheat.

    PubMed

    Kalaipandian, Sundaravelpandian; Xue, Gang-Ping; Rae, Anne L; Glassop, Donna; Bonnett, Graham D; McIntyre, Lynne C

    2018-06-14

    Calcium (Ca 2+ ) is a universal messenger that mediates intracellular responses to extracellular stimuli in living organisms. Calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs) are the important Ca 2+ sensors in plants that decode Ca 2+ -signatures to execute downstream intracellular level responses. Several studies indicate the interlinking of Ca 2+ and sugar signalling in plants, however, no genes have been functionally characterized to provide molecular evidence. Our study found that expression of TaCML20 was significantly correlated with water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations in recombinant inbred lines in wheat. TaCML20 has four EF-hand motifs that may facilitate the binding of Ca 2+ . To explore the role of CML20, we generated TaCML20 overexpressing transgenic lines in wheat. These lines accumulated higher WSC concentrations in the shoots, and we also found a significantly increased transcript level of sucrose:sucrose-1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST) in the internodes compared with the control plants. In addition, TaCML20 overexpressing plants showed significantly increased tillers per plant and also increased about 19% of grain weight per plant compared with control plants. The results also suggested a role for TaCML20 in drought stress, as its transcripts significantly increased in the shoots of wild-type plants under water deficit. These results uncovered the role of CML20 in determining multiple traits in wheat. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  8. Effects of various chemical compounds on spontaneous and hydrogen peroxide-induced reversion in strain TA104 of Salmonella typhimurium.

    PubMed

    Han, J S

    1992-04-01

    In experiments designed to determine which active oxygen species contribute to hydrogen peroxide (HP)-induced reversion in strain TA104 of Salmonella typhimurium, 1,10-phenanthroline (an iron chelator, which prevents the formation of hydroxyl radicals from HP and DNA-bound iron by the Fenton reaction), sodium azide (a singlet oxygen scavenger), and potassium iodide (an hydroxyl radical scavenger) inhibited HP-induced reversion. These results indicate that hydroxyl radicals generated from HP by the Fenton reaction, and perhaps singlet oxygen, contribute to HP-induced reversion in TA104. However, reduced glutathione (reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+ and/or HP to water), diethyldithiocarbamic acid (an inhibitor of superoxide dismutase), diethyl maleate (a glutathione scavenger), and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (an inhibitor of catalase) did not inhibit HP-induced reversion in TA104. Thus, superoxide radical anions and HP itself do not appear to be the cause of HP-induced reversion in this strain. In experiments on the effect of 5 common dietary compounds (beta-carotene, retinoic acid, and vitamins A, C and E), chlorophyllin (CHL), and ergothioneine, the frequency of revertants in TA104 increased above the spontaneous frequency in the presence of beta-carotene or vitamin C (about 2-fold) or vitamin A (about 3-fold). The 5 dietary antimutagens and CHL did not inhibit HP-induced reversion in TA104. However, L-ergothioneine inhibited HP-induced reversion in this strain. Therefore, it is likely that L-ergothioneine is a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals or an inhibitor of their formation, and perhaps of singlet oxygen, at the concentrations tested in TA104.

  9. Removing polysaccharides-and saccharides-related coloring impurities in alkyl polyglycosides by bleaching with the H2O2/TAED/NaHCO3 system.

    PubMed

    Yanmei, Liu; Jinliang, Tao; Jiao, Sun; Wenyi, Chen

    2014-11-04

    The effect of H2O2/TAED/NaHCO3 system, namely NaHCO3 as alkaline agent with the (tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED)) TAED-activated peroxide system, bleaching of alkyl polyglycosides solution was studied by spectrophotometry. The results showed that the optimal bleaching conditions about H2O2/TAED/NaHCO3 system bleaching of alkyl polyglycosides solution were as follows: molar ratio of TAED to H2O2 was 0.06, addition of H2O2 was 8.6%, addition of NaHCO3 was 3.2%, bleaching temperature of 50-65 °C, addition of MgO was 0.13%, and bleaching time was 8h. If too much amount of NaHCO3 was added to the system and maintained alkaline pH, the bleaching effect would be greatly reduced. Fixing molar ratio of TAED to H2O2 and increasing the amount of H2O2 were beneficial to improve the whiteness of alkyl polyglycosides, but adding too much amount of H2O2 would reduce the transparency. In the TAED-activated peroxide system, NaHCO3 as alkaline agent and buffer agent, could overcome the disadvantage of producing black precipitates when NaOH as alkaline agent. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. TaLHY, a 1R-MYB Transcription Factor, Plays an Important Role in Disease Resistance against Stripe Rust Fungus and Ear Heading in Wheat

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Zijin; Chen, Jieming; Su, Yongying; Liu, Hanmei; Chen, Yanger; Luo, Peigao; Du, Xiaogang; Wang, Dan; Zhang, Huaiyu

    2015-01-01

    LHY (late elongated hypocotyl) is an important gene that regulates and controls biological rhythms in plants. Additionally, LHY is highly expressed in the SSH (suppression subtractive hybridization) cDNA library-induced stripe rust pathogen (CYR32) in our previous research. To identify the function of the LHY gene in disease resistance against stripe rust, we used RACE-PCR technology to clone TaLHY in the wheat variety Chuannong19. The cDNA of TaLHY is 3085 bp long with an open reading frame of 1947 bp. TaLHY is speculated to encode a 70.3 kDa protein of 648 amino acids , which has one typical plant MYB-DNA binding domain; additionally, phylogenetic tree shows that TaLHY has the highest homology with LHY of Brachypodium distachyon(BdLHY-like). Quantitative fluorescence PCR indicates that TaLHY has higher expression in the leaf, ear and stem of wheat but lower expression in the root. Infestation of CYR32 can result in up-regulated expression of TaLHY, peaking at 72 h. Using VIGS (virus-induced gene silencing) technology to disease-resistant wheat in the fourth leaf stage, plants with silenced TaLHY cannot complete their heading stage. Through the compatible interaction with the stripe rust physiological race CYR32, Chuannong 19 loses its immune capability toward the stripe rust pathogen, indicating that TaLHY may regulate and participate in the heading of wheat, as well as the defense responses against stripe rust infection. PMID:26010918

  11. Xanthine oxidase functionalized Ta2O5 nanostructures as a novel scaffold for highly sensitive SPR based fiber optic xanthine sensor.

    PubMed

    Kant, Ravi; Tabassum, Rana; Gupta, Banshi D

    2018-01-15

    Fabrication and characterization of a surface plasmon resonance based fiber optic xanthine sensor using entrapment of xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme in several nanostructures of tantalum (v) oxide (Ta 2 O 5 ) have been reported. Chemical route was adopted for synthesizing Ta 2 O 5 nanoparticles, nanorods, nanotubes and nanowires while Ta 2 O 5 nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technique. The synthesized Ta 2 O 5 nanostructures were characterized by photoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Visible spectra and X-ray diffraction pattern. The probes were fabricated by coating an unclad core of the fiber with silver layer followed by the deposition of XO entrapped Ta 2 O 5 nanostructures. The crux of sensing mechanism relies on the modification of dielectric function of sensing layer upon exposure to xanthine solution of diverse concentrations, reflected in terms of shift in resonance wavelength. The sensing probe coated with XO entrapped Ta 2 O 5 nanofibers has been turned out to possess maximum sensitivity amongst the synthesized nanostructures. The probe was optimized in terms of pH of the sample and the concentration of XO entrapped in Ta 2 O 5 nanofibers. The optimized sensing probe possesses a remarkably good sensitivity of 26.2nm/µM in addition to linear range from 0 to 3µM with an invincible LOD value of 0.0127µM together with a response time of 1min. Furthermore, probe selectivity with real sample analysis ensure the usage of the sensor for practical scenario. The results reported open a novel perspective towards a sensitive, rapid, reliable and selective detection of xanthine. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. TaCPK2-A, a calcium-dependent protein kinase gene that is required for wheat powdery mildew resistance enhances bacterial blight resistance in transgenic rice.

    PubMed

    Geng, Shuaifeng; Li, Aili; Tang, Lichuan; Yin, Lingjie; Wu, Liang; Lei, Cailin; Guo, Xiuping; Zhang, Xin; Jiang, Guanghuai; Zhai, Wenxue; Wei, Yuming; Zheng, Youliang; Lan, Xiujin; Mao, Long

    2013-08-01

    Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) are important Ca2+ signalling components involved in complex immune and stress signalling networks; but the knowledge of CPK gene functions in the hexaploid wheat is limited. Previously, TaCPK2 was shown to be inducible by powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis tritici, Bgt) infection in wheat. Here, its functions in disease resistance are characterized further. This study shows the presence of defence-response and cold-response cis-elements on the promoters of the A subgenome homoeologue (TaCPK2-A) and D subgenome homoeologue (TaCPK2-D), respectively. Their expression patterns were then confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using genome-specific primers, where TaCPK2-A was induced by Bgt treatment while TaCPK2-D mainly responded to cold treatment. Downregulation of TaCPK2-A by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) causes loss of resistance to Bgt in resistant wheat lines, indicating that TaCPK2-A is required for powdery mildew resistance. Furthermore, overexpression of TaCPK2-A in rice enhanced bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Xoo) resistance. qRT-PCR analysis showed that overexpression of TaCPK2-A in rice promoted the expression of OsWRKY45-1, a transcription factor involved in both fungal and bacterial resistance by regulating jasmonic acid and salicylic acid signalling genes. The opposite effect was found in wheat TaCPK2-A VIGS plants, where the homologue of OsWRKY45-1 was significantly repressed. These data suggest that modulation of WRKY45-1 and associated defence-response genes by CPK2 genes may be the common mechanism for multiple disease resistance in grass species, which may have undergone subfunctionalization in promoters before the formation of hexaploid wheat.

  13. TaCPK2-A, a calcium-dependent protein kinase gene that is required for wheat powdery mildew resistance enhances bacterial blight resistance in transgenic rice

    PubMed Central

    Geng, Shuaifeng; Li, Aili; Tang, Lichuan; Lan, Xiujin; Mao, Long

    2013-01-01

    Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) are important Ca2+ signalling components involved in complex immune and stress signalling networks; but the knowledge of CPK gene functions in the hexaploid wheat is limited. Previously, TaCPK2 was shown to be inducible by powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis tritici, Bgt) infection in wheat. Here, its functions in disease resistance are characterized further. This study shows the presence of defence-response and cold-response cis-elements on the promoters of the A subgenome homoeologue (TaCPK2-A) and D subgenome homoeologue (TaCPK2-D), respectively. Their expression patterns were then confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using genome-specific primers, where TaCPK2-A was induced by Bgt treatment while TaCPK2-D mainly responded to cold treatment. Downregulation of TaCPK2-A by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) causes loss of resistance to Bgt in resistant wheat lines, indicating that TaCPK2-A is required for powdery mildew resistance. Furthermore, overexpression of TaCPK2-A in rice enhanced bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Xoo) resistance. qRT-PCR analysis showed that overexpression of TaCPK2-A in rice promoted the expression of OsWRKY45-1, a transcription factor involved in both fungal and bacterial resistance by regulating jasmonic acid and salicylic acid signalling genes. The opposite effect was found in wheat TaCPK2-A VIGS plants, where the homologue of OsWRKY45-1 was significantly repressed. These data suggest that modulation of WRKY45-1 and associated defence-response genes by CPK2 genes may be the common mechanism for multiple disease resistance in grass species, which may have undergone subfunctionalization in promoters before the formation of hexaploid wheat. PMID:23918959

  14. Civil society engagement in multi-stakeholder dialogue: a qualitative study exploring the opinions and perceptions of MeTA members.

    PubMed

    Buckland-Merrett, Gemma L; Kilkenny, Catherine; Reed, Tim

    2017-01-01

    The Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) is an initiative that brings together all stakeholders in the medicines market to create a multi-stakeholder dialogue and improve access, availability and affordability of medicines. Key to this multi-stakeholder dialogue is the participation of Civil Society Organisations. A recent MeTA annual review, identified uneven engagement of civil society organisations in the multi-stakeholder process. This study was designed to explore the engagement of Civil Society Organisations in the MeTA multi-stakeholder process and the factors influencing their participation. Participants were drawn from a convenience sample of key MeTA informants attending a MeTA global meeting in Geneva in 2014. Study participants consisted of members of MeTA, which included representatives from government, the private sector and civil society. In-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to identify perceptions around the barriers to civil society engagement in the multi-stakeholder process. Interviews were guided by a conceptual framework exploring the three main themes of the political environment, relative stakeholder strength and agenda setting/gatekeepers. Interviews were structured to enable additional themes to emerge and be explored. Fifteen interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a general inductive approach. All interviewees provided written informed consent. Findings were captured within three main overarching themes: the political environment, relative stakeholder strength and agenda setting/gatekeepers, with the opportunity for additional themes to emerge in the interviewing process. The study conformed these three themes were important in the engagement process. Participants reported that civil society engagement is particularly limited by those who set the agenda. It was largely seen that the political environment was the significant factor that enabled or

  15. Spectroscopy of high index contrast Yb:Ta2O5 waveguides for lasing applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aghajani, A.; Murugan, G. S.; Sessions, N. P.; Apostolopoulos, V.; Wilkinson, J. S.

    2015-06-01

    Ytterbium-doped waveguides are required for compact integrated lasers and Yb- doped Ta2O5 is a promising candidate material. The design, fabrication and spectroscopic characterisation of Yb:Ta2O5 rib waveguides are described. The peak absorption cross-section was measured to be 2.75×10-20 cm2 at 975 nm. The emission spectrum was found to have a fluorescence emission peak at a wavelength of 976 nm with a peak cross-section of 2.9×10-20 cm2 and a second broad fluorescence band spanning from 990 nm to 1090 nm. The excited- state life time was measured to be 260 μs.

  16. Functional analysis of a pathogenesis-related thaumatin-like protein gene TaLr35PR5 from wheat induced by leaf rust fungus.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jiarui; Wang, Fei; Liang, Fang; Zhang, Yanjun; Ma, Lisong; Wang, Haiyan; Liu, Daqun

    2018-05-04

    Plants have evolved multifaceted defence mechanisms to resist pathogen infection. Production of the pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins in response to pathogen attack has been implicated in plant disease resistance specialized in systemic-acquired resistance (SAR). Our earlier studies have reported that a full length TaLr35PR5 gene, encoding a protein exhibiting amino acid and structural similarity to a sweet protein thaumatin, was isolated from wheat near-isogenic line TcLr35. The present study aims to understand the function of TaLr35PR5 gene in Lr35-mediated adult resistance to Puccinia triticina. We determined that the TaLr35PR5 protein contained a functional secretion peptide by utilizing the yeast signal sequence trap system. Using a heterologous expression assay on onion epidermal cells we found that TaLr35PR5 protein was secreted into the apoplast of onion cell. Expression of TaLr35PR5 was significantly reduced in BSMV-induced gene silenced wheat plants, and pathology test on these silenced plants revealed that Lr35-mediated resistance phenotype was obviously altered, indicating that Lr35-mediated resistance was compromised. All these findings strongly suggest that TaLr35PR5 is involved in Lr35-mediated adult wheat defense in response to leaf rust attack.

  17. Photocatalytic hydrogen generation enhanced by band gap narrowing and improved charge carrier mobility in AgTaO3 by compensated co-doping.

    PubMed

    Li, Min; Zhang, Junying; Dang, Wenqiang; Cushing, Scott K; Guo, Dong; Wu, Nianqiang; Yin, Penggang

    2013-10-14

    The correlation of the electronic band structure with the photocatalytic activity of AgTaO3 has been studied by simulation and experiments. Doping wide band gap oxide semiconductors usually introduces discrete mid-gap states, which extends the light absorption but has limited benefit for photocatalytic activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that compensated co-doping in AgTaO3 can overcome this problem by increasing the light absorption and simultaneously improving the charge carrier mobility. N/H and N/F co-doping can delocalize the discrete mid-gap states created by sole N doping in AgTaO3, which increases the band curvature and the electron-to-hole effective mass ratio. In particular, N/F co-doping creates a continuum of states that extend the valence band of AgTaO3. N/F co-doping thus improves the light absorption without creating the mid-gap states, maintaining the necessary redox potentials for water splitting and preventing from charge carrier trapping. The experimental results have confirmed that the N/F-codoped AgTaO3 exhibits a red-shift of the absorption edge in comparison with the undoped AgTaO3, leading to remarkable enhancement of photocatalytic activity toward hydrogen generation from water.

  18. Tri-state resistive switching characteristics of MnO/Ta2O5 resistive random access memory device by a controllable reset process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, N. J.; Kang, T. S.; Hu, Q.; Lee, T. S.; Yoon, T.-S.; Lee, H. H.; Yoo, E. J.; Choi, Y. J.; Kang, C. J.

    2018-06-01

    Tri-state resistive switching characteristics of bilayer resistive random access memory devices based on manganese oxide (MnO)/tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) have been studied. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the Ag/MnO/Ta2O5/Pt device show tri-state resistive switching (RS) behavior with a high resistance state (HRS), intermediate resistance state (IRS), and low resistance state (LRS), which are controlled by the reset process. The MnO/Ta2O5 film shows bipolar RS behavior through the formation and rupture of conducting filaments without the forming process. The device shows reproducible and stable RS both from the HRS to the LRS and from the IRS to the LRS. In order to elucidate the tri-state RS mechanism in the Ag/MnO/Ta2O5/Pt device, transmission electron microscope (TEM) images are measured in the LRS, IRS and HRS. White lines like dendrites are observed in the Ta2O5 film in both the LRS and the IRS. Poole–Frenkel conduction, space charge limited conduction, and Ohmic conduction are proposed as the dominant conduction mechanisms for the Ag/MnO/Ta2O5/Pt device based on the obtained I–V characteristics and TEM images.

  19. Hydrogen gas sensors using a thin Ta2O5 dielectric film

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Seongjeen

    2014-12-01

    A capacitive-type hydrogen gas sensor with a MIS (metal-insulator-semiconductor) structure was investigated for high-temperature applications. In this work, a tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) layer of tens of nanometers in thickness formed by oxidizing tantalum film in rapid thermal processing (RTP) was exploited with the purpose of sensitivity improvement. Silicon carbide (SiC), which is good even at high temperatures over 500 °C, was used as the substrate. We fabricated sensors composed of Pd/Ta2O5/SiC, and the dependences of the capacitance response properties and the I-V characteristics on the hydrogen concentration were analyzed from the temperature range of room temperature to 500 °C. As a result, our hydrogen sensor showed promising performance with respect to the sensitivity and the adaptability at high temperature.

  20. An Improved TA-SVM Method Without Matrix Inversion and Its Fast Implementation for Nonstationary Datasets.

    PubMed

    Shi, Yingzhong; Chung, Fu-Lai; Wang, Shitong

    2015-09-01

    Recently, a time-adaptive support vector machine (TA-SVM) is proposed for handling nonstationary datasets. While attractive performance has been reported and the new classifier is distinctive in simultaneously solving several SVM subclassifiers locally and globally by using an elegant SVM formulation in an alternative kernel space, the coupling of subclassifiers brings in the computation of matrix inversion, thus resulting to suffer from high computational burden in large nonstationary dataset applications. To overcome this shortcoming, an improved TA-SVM (ITA-SVM) is proposed using a common vector shared by all the SVM subclassifiers involved. ITA-SVM not only keeps an SVM formulation, but also avoids the computation of matrix inversion. Thus, we can realize its fast version, that is, improved time-adaptive core vector machine (ITA-CVM) for large nonstationary datasets by using the CVM technique. ITA-CVM has the merit of asymptotic linear time complexity for large nonstationary datasets as well as inherits the advantage of TA-SVM. The effectiveness of the proposed classifiers ITA-SVM and ITA-CVM is also experimentally confirmed.

  1. Synthesis and characterization of Ti-Ta-Nb-Mn foams.

    PubMed

    Aguilar, C; Guerra, C; Lascano, S; Guzman, D; Rojas, P A; Thirumurugan, M; Bejar, L; Medina, A

    2016-01-01

    The unprecedented increase in human life expectancy have produced profound changes in the prevailing patterns of disease, like the observed increased in degenerative disc diseases, which cause degradation of the bones. Ti-Nb-Ta alloys are promising materials to replace the damaged bone due to their excellent mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. In general metallic foams are widely used for medical application due to their lower elastic moduli compare to bulk materials. In this work we studied the synthesis of 34Nb-29Ta-xMn (x: 2, 4 and 6 wt.% Mn) alloy foams (50% v/v) using ammonium hydrogen carbonate as a space holder. Alloys were produced through mechanical alloying in a planetary mill for 50h. Green compacts were obtained by applying 430 MPa pressure. To remove the space holder from the matrix the green compacts were heated to 180 °C for 1.5h and after sintered at 1300 °C for 3h. Foams were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning, transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy. The elastic modulus of the foam was measured as ~30 GPa, and the values are almost equal to the values predicted using various theoretical models. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Magnetism and Raman Spectroscopy of Pristine and Hydrogenated TaSe2 Monolayer tuned by Tensile and Pure Shear Strain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chowdhury, Sugata; Simpson, Jeffrey; Einstein, T. L.; Walker, Angela R. Hight

    2D-materials with controllable optical, electronic and magnetic properties are desirable for novel nanodevices. Here we studied these properties for both pristine and hydrogenated TaSe2 (TaSe2-H) monolayer (ML) in the framework of DFT using the PAW method. We considered uniaxial and biaxial tensile strain, as well as shear strain along the basal planes in the range between 1% and 16%. Previous theoretical works (e.g.) considered only symmetrical biaxial tensile. Pristine ML is ferromagnetic for uniaxial tensile strain along ◯ or ŷ. For tensile strain in ŷ, the calculated magnetic moments of the Ta atoms are twice those for the same strain in ◯. Under pure shear strain (expansion along ŷ and compression along ◯), a pristine ML is ferromagnetic, but becomes non-magnetic when the strain directions are interchanged. Due to carrier-mediated double-exchange, the pristine ML is ferromagnetic when the Se-Ta-Se bond angle is < 82° and the ML thickness is < 3.25Å. We find that all Raman-active phonon modes show obvious red-shifting due to bond elongation and the E2 modes degeneracy is lifted as strain increases. For a TaSe2-H ML, the same trends were observed. Results show the ability to tune the properties of 2D-materials.

  3. Processing, physical metallurgy and creep of NiAl + Ta and NiAl + Nb alloys. Ph.D. Thesis. Final Contractor Report

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pathare, Viren M.

    1988-01-01

    Powder processed NiAl + Ta alloys containing 1, 2, and 4.5 at percent tantalum and NiAl + Nb alloys containing 1 and 2 at percent niobium were developed for improved creep properties. In addition, a cast alloy with 5 at percent tantalum was also studied. Hot extrusion parameters for processing alloys with 1 and 2 at percent of tantalum or niobium were designed. The NiAl + 4.5 at percent Ta alloy could be vacuum hot pressed successfully, even though it could not be extruded. All the phases in the multiphase alloys were identified and the phase transformations studied. The Ni2AlTa in NiAl + 4.5 at percent Ta alloy transforms into a liquid phase above 1700 K. Solutionizing and annealing below this temperature gives rise to a uniform distribution of fine second phase precipitates. Compressive creep properties were evaluated at 1300 K using constant load and constant velocity tests. In the higher strain rate region single phase NiAl + 1 at percent Ta and NiAl + 1 at percent Nb alloys exhibit a stress exponent of 5 characteristic of climb controlled dislocation creep. In slower strain rate regime diffusional creep becomes important. The two phase alloys containing 2 to 5 at percent Ta and 2 at percent Nb show considerable improvement over binary NiAl and single phase alloys. Loose dislocation networks and tangles stabilized by the precipitates were found in the as crept microstructure. The cast alloy which has larger grains and a distribution of fine precipitates shows the maximum improvement over binary NiAl.

  4. Dielectric relaxation study of amorphous TiTaO thin films in a large operating temperature range

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rouahi, A.; Kahouli, A.; Laboratoire Materiaux, Organisation et Proprietes

    2012-11-01

    Two relaxation processes have been identified in amorphous TiTaO thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering. The parallel angle resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy analyses have shown that this material is composed of an agglomerates mixture of TiO{sub 2}, Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}, and Ti-Ta bonds. The first relaxation process appears at low temperature with activation energy of about 0.26 eV and is related to the first ionisation of oxygen vacancies and/or the reduction of Ti{sup 4+} to Ti{sup 3+}. The second relaxation process occurs at high temperature with activation energy of 0.95 eV. This lastmore » peak is associated to the diffusion of the doubly ionized oxygen vacancies V{sub O}e. The dispersion phenomena observed at high temperature can be attributed to the development of complex defect such as (V{sub O}e - 2Ti{sup 3+}).« less

  5. Mesoscopic superconductivity and high spin polarization coexisting at metallic point contacts on Weyl semimetal TaAs

    PubMed Central

    Aggarwal, Leena; Gayen, Sirshendu; Das, Shekhar; Kumar, Ritesh; Süß, Vicky; Felser, Claudia; Shekhar, Chandra; Sheet, Goutam

    2017-01-01

    A Weyl semimetal is a topologically non-trivial phase of matter that hosts mass-less Weyl fermions, the particles that remained elusive for more than 80 years since their theoretical discovery. The Weyl semimetals exhibit unique transport properties and remarkably high surface spin polarization. Here we show that a mesoscopic superconducting phase with critical temperature Tc=7 K can be realized by forming metallic point contacts with silver (Ag) on single crystals of TaAs, while neither Ag nor TaAs are superconductors. Andreev reflection spectroscopy of such point contacts reveals a superconducting gap of 1.2 meV that coexists with a high transport spin polarization of 60% indicating a highly spin-polarized supercurrent flowing through the point contacts on TaAs. Therefore, apart from the discovery of a novel mesoscopic superconducting phase, our results also show that the point contacts on Weyl semimetals are potentially important for applications in spintronics. PMID:28071685

  6. Ectopic expression of TaOEP16-2-5B, a wheat plastid outer envelope protein gene, enhances heat and drought stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants.

    PubMed

    Zang, Xinshan; Geng, Xiaoli; Liu, Kelu; Wang, Fei; Liu, Zhenshan; Zhang, Liyuan; Zhao, Yue; Tian, Xuejun; Hu, Zhaorong; Yao, Yingyin; Ni, Zhongfu; Xin, Mingming; Sun, Qixin; Peng, Huiru

    2017-05-01

    Abiotic stresses, such as heat and drought, are major environmental factors restricting crop productivity and quality worldwide. A plastid outer envelope protein gene, TaOEP16-2, was identified from our previous transcriptome analysis [1,2]. In this study, the isolation and functional characterization of the TaOEP16-2 gene was reported. Three homoeologous sequences of TaOEP16-2 were isolated from hexaploid wheat, which were localized on the chromosomes 5A, 5B and 5D, respectively. These three homoeologues exhibited different expression patterns under heat stress conditions, TaOEP16-2-5B was the dominant one, and TaOEP16-2-5B was selected for further analysis. Compared with wild type (WT) plants, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing the TaOEP16-2-5B gene exhibited enhanced tolerance to heat stress, which was supported by improved survival rate, strengthened cell membrane stability and increased sucrose content. It was also found that TaOEP16-2 was induced by drought stress and involved in drought stress tolerance. TaOEP16-2-5B has the same function in ABA-controlled seed germination as AtOEP16-2. Our results suggest that TaOEP16-2-5B plays an important role in heat and drought stress tolerance, and could be utilized in transgenic breeding of wheat and other crop plants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Anomalous bias-stress-induced unstable phenomena of InZnO thin-film transistors using Ta2O5 gate dielectric

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Wangying; Dai, Mingzhi; Liang, Lingyan; Liu, Zhimin; Sun, Xilian; Wan, Qing; Cao, Hongtao

    2012-05-01

    InZnO thin-film transistors using high-κ Ta2O5 gate dielectric are presented and analysed. The large capacitance coupling effect of amorphous Ta2O5 results in fabricated devices with good electrical properties. However, an anomalous negative threshold voltage (Vth) shift under positive bias stress is observed. It is suggested that electron detrapping from the high-κ Ta2O5 dielectric to the gate electrode is responsible for this Vth shift, which is supported both by the logarithmical dependence of the Vth change on the duration of the bias stress and device simulation extracted trapped charges involved.

  8. Relationship between covalence and displacive phase transition temperature in RAO{sub 4} and LiAO{sub 3} (R = rare-earth element and A = Nb and Ta)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tsunekawa, S.; Fukuda, T.; Kimiyama, T.

    Crystal structure analyses by TOF neutron powder diffraction are performed for R TaO{sub 4} (R = rare-earth element) and the Ta-O interatomic distances are determined. The relationship between the covalency of A-O bonds (A = Nb and Ta), which show the most shortening upon phase transition, and the transition temperature is discussed for RAO{sub 4} and LiAO{sub 3}, and the parameters of Ta-O covalence are determined.

  9. Zinc Tantalum Oxynitride (ZnTaO2N) Photoanode Modified with Cobalt Phosphate Layers for the Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Alkali Water

    PubMed Central

    T. Weller, Mark

    2018-01-01

    Photoanodes fabricated by the electrophoretic deposition of a thermally prepared zinc tantalum oxynitride (ZnTaO2N) catalyst onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates show photoactivation for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions. The photoactivity of the OER is further boosted by the photodeposition of cobalt phosphate (CoPi) layers onto the surface of the ZnTaO2N photoanodes. Structural, morphological, and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of the modified ZnTaO2N photoanodes are studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet visible (UV−Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The presence of the CoPi layer significantly improved the PEC performance of water oxidation in an alkaline sulphate solution. The photocurrent-voltage behavior of the CoPi-modified ZnTaO2N anodes was improved, with the influence being more prominent at lower oxidation potentials. A stable photocurrent density of about 2.3 mA·cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE was attained upon visible light illumination. Relative to the ZnTaO2N photoanodes, an almost three-fold photocurrent increase was achieved at the CoPi/ZnTaO2N photoelectrode. Perovskite-based oxynitrides are modified using an oxygen-evolution co-catalyst of CoPi, and provide a new dimension for enhancing the photoactivity of oxygen evolution in solar-assisted water-splitting reactions. PMID:29346306

  10. Direct experimental observation of the molecular J eff=3/2 ground state in the lacunar spinel GaTa 4Se 8

    DOE PAGES

    Jeong, Min Yong; Chang, Seo Hyoung; Kim, Beom Hyun; ...

    2017-10-04

    Strong spin-orbit coupling lifts the degeneracy of t 2g orbitals in 5d transition-metal systems, leaving a Kramers doublet and quartet with effective angular momentum of J eff = 1/2 and 3/2, respectively. These spin-orbit entangled states can host exotic quantum phases such as topological Mott state, unconventional superconductivity, and quantum spin liquid. The lacunar spinel GaTa 4Se 8 was theoretically predicted to form the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state. Experimental verification of its existence is an important first step to exploring the consequences of the J eff = 3/2 state. Here, we report direct experimental evidence of themore » J eff = 3/2 state in GaTa 4Se 8 by means of excitation spectra of resonant inelastic x-rays scattering at the Ta L 3 and L 2 edges. In conclusion, we found that the excitations involving the J eff = 1/2 molecular orbital were absent only at the Ta L 2 edge, manifesting the realization of the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state in GaTa 4Se 8.« less

  11. Direct experimental observation of the molecular J eff=3/2 ground state in the lacunar spinel GaTa 4Se 8

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jeong, Min Yong; Chang, Seo Hyoung; Kim, Beom Hyun

    Strong spin-orbit coupling lifts the degeneracy of t 2g orbitals in 5d transition-metal systems, leaving a Kramers doublet and quartet with effective angular momentum of J eff = 1/2 and 3/2, respectively. These spin-orbit entangled states can host exotic quantum phases such as topological Mott state, unconventional superconductivity, and quantum spin liquid. The lacunar spinel GaTa 4Se 8 was theoretically predicted to form the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state. Experimental verification of its existence is an important first step to exploring the consequences of the J eff = 3/2 state. Here, we report direct experimental evidence of themore » J eff = 3/2 state in GaTa 4Se 8 by means of excitation spectra of resonant inelastic x-rays scattering at the Ta L 3 and L 2 edges. In conclusion, we found that the excitations involving the J eff = 1/2 molecular orbital were absent only at the Ta L 2 edge, manifesting the realization of the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state in GaTa 4Se 8.« less

  12. Microstructures and Surface Stabilities of {Ni-0.4C-6Ta- xCr, 0 ≤ x ≤ 50 Wt Pct} Cast Alloys at High Temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berthod, Patrice

    2018-06-01

    Nickel-based cast alloys rich in chromium and reinforced by TaC carbides are potentially very interesting alloys for applications at elevated temperatures. Unfortunately, unlike cobalt-chromium and iron-chromium alloys, it is difficult to obtain exclusively TaC as primary carbides in Ni-Cr alloys. In alloys containing 30 wt pct Cr tantalum, carbides coexist with chromium carbides. The latter tend to weaken the alloy at elevated temperatures because they become rapidly spherical and then quickly lose their reinforcing effect. In this work, we attempted to stabilize TaC as a single carbide phase by testing different chromium contents in the [0, 50 wt pct] range. Six alloys containing 0.4C and 6Ta, weight contents corresponding to equivalent molar contents, were elaborated by foundry, and their as-cast microstructures were characterized. Samples of all alloys were exposed to 1127 °C and 1237 °C for 24 hours to characterize their stabilized microstructures. The surface fractions of chromium carbides and tantalum carbides were measured by image analysis, and their evolutions vs the chromium content were studied. For the chosen C and Ta contents, it appears that obtaining TaC only is possible by decreasing the chromium content to 10 wt pct. At the same time, TaC fractions are unfortunately too low because a large portion of tantalum integrates into the solid solution in the matrix. A second consequence is a critical decrease in oxidation resistance. Other possible methods to stabilize TaC as a single carbide are evocated, such as the simultaneous increase in Ta and decrease in chromium from 30 wt pct Cr.

  13. Phosphorylation at S384 regulates the activity of the TaALMT1 malate transporter that underlies aluminum resistance in wheat

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    In this study we examined the role of protein phosphorylation & dephosphorylation in the transport properties of the wheat root malate efflux transporter underlying Al resistance, TaALMT1. Preincubation of Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing TaALMT1 with protein kinase inhibitors (K252a and staurospo...

  14. Advanced transportation system studies technical area 2 (TA-2): Heavy lift launch vehicle development. volume 3; Program Cost estimates

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McCurry, J. B.

    1995-01-01

    The purpose of the TA-2 contract was to provide advanced launch vehicle concept definition and analysis to assist NASA in the identification of future launch vehicle requirements. Contracted analysis activities included vehicle sizing and performance analysis, subsystem concept definition, propulsion subsystem definition (foreign and domestic), ground operations and facilities analysis, and life cycle cost estimation. The basic period of performance of the TA-2 contract was from May 1992 through May 1993. No-cost extensions were exercised on the contract from June 1993 through July 1995. This document is part of the final report for the TA-2 contract. The final report consists of three volumes: Volume 1 is the Executive Summary, Volume 2 is Technical Results, and Volume 3 is Program Cost Estimates. The document-at-hand, Volume 3, provides a work breakdown structure dictionary, user's guide for the parametric life cycle cost estimation tool, and final report developed by ECON, Inc., under subcontract to Lockheed Martin on TA-2 for the analysis of heavy lift launch vehicle concepts.

  15. Contrast and Raman spectroscopy study of single- and few-layered charge density wave material: 2H-TaSe2

    PubMed Central

    Hajiyev, Parviz; Cong, Chunxiao; Qiu, Caiyu; Yu, Ting

    2013-01-01

    In this article, we report the first successful preparation of single- and few-layers of tantalum diselenide (2H-TaSe2) by mechanical exfoliation technique. Number of layers is confirmed by white light contrast spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Vibrational properties of the atomically thin layers of 2H-TaSe2 are characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Room temperature Raman measurements demonstrate MoS2-like spectral features, which are reliable for thickness determination. E1g mode, usually forbidden in backscattering Raman configuration is observed in the supported TaSe2 layers while disappears in the suspended layers, suggesting that this mode may be enabled because of the symmetry breaking induced by the interaction with the substrate. A systematic in-situ low temperature Raman study, for the first time, reveals the existence of incommensurate charge density wave phase transition in single and double-layered 2H-TaSe2 as reflected by a sudden softening of the second-order broad Raman mode resulted from the strong electron-phonon coupling (Kohn anomaly). PMID:24005335

  16. Advanced Transportation System Studies Technical Area 2 (TA-2) Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Development Contract. Volume 2; Technical Results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1995-01-01

    The purpose of the Advanced Transportation System Studies (ATSS) Technical Area 2 (TA-2) Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Development contract was to provide advanced launch vehicle concept definition and analysis to assist NASA in the identification of future launch vehicle requirements. Contracted analysis activities included vehicle sizing and performance analysis, subsystem concept definition, propulsion subsystem definition (foreign and domestic), ground operations and facilities analysis, and life cycle cost estimation. This document is Volume 2 of the final report for the contract. It provides documentation of selected technical results from various TA-2 analysis activities, including a detailed narrative description of the SSTO concept assessment results, a user's guide for the associated SSTO sizing tools, an SSTO turnaround assessment report, an executive summary of the ground operations assessments performed during the first year of the contract, a configuration-independent vehicle health management system requirements report, a copy of all major TA-2 contract presentations, a copy of the FLO launch vehicle final report, and references to Pratt & Whitney's TA-2 sponsored final reports regarding the identification of Russian main propulsion technologies.

  17. Forming-free and self-rectifying resistive switching of the simple Pt/TaOx/n-Si structure for access device-free high-density memory application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Shuang; Zeng, Fei; Li, Fan; Wang, Minjuan; Mao, Haijun; Wang, Guangyue; Song, Cheng; Pan, Feng

    2015-03-01

    The search for self-rectifying resistive memories has aroused great attention due to their potential in high-density memory applications without additional access devices. Here we report the forming-free and self-rectifying bipolar resistive switching behavior of a simple Pt/TaOx/n-Si tri-layer structure. The forming-free phenomenon is attributed to the generation of a large amount of oxygen vacancies, in a TaOx region that is in close proximity to the TaOx/n-Si interface, via out-diffusion of oxygen ions from TaOx to n-Si. A maximum rectification ratio of ~6 × 102 is obtained when the Pt/TaOx/n-Si devices stay in a low resistance state, which originates from the existence of a Schottky barrier between the formed oxygen vacancy filament and the n-Si electrode. More importantly, numerical simulation reveals that the self-rectifying behavior itself can guarantee a maximum crossbar size of 212 × 212 (~44 kbit) on the premise of 10% read margin. Moreover, satisfactory switching uniformity and retention performance are observed based on this simple tri-layer structure. All of these results demonstrate the great potential of this simple Pt/TaOx/n-Si tri-layer structure for access device-free high-density memory applications.The search for self-rectifying resistive memories has aroused great attention due to their potential in high-density memory applications without additional access devices. Here we report the forming-free and self-rectifying bipolar resistive switching behavior of a simple Pt/TaOx/n-Si tri-layer structure. The forming-free phenomenon is attributed to the generation of a large amount of oxygen vacancies, in a TaOx region that is in close proximity to the TaOx/n-Si interface, via out-diffusion of oxygen ions from TaOx to n-Si. A maximum rectification ratio of ~6 × 102 is obtained when the Pt/TaOx/n-Si devices stay in a low resistance state, which originates from the existence of a Schottky barrier between the formed oxygen vacancy filament and the n

  18. Nucleation of fcc Ta when heating thin films

    DOE PAGES

    Janish, Matthew T.; Mook, William M.; Carter, C. Barry

    2014-10-25

    Thin tantalum films have been studied during in-situ heating in a transmission electron microscope. Diffraction patterns from the as-deposited films were typical of amorphous materials. Crystalline grains were observed to form when the specimen was annealed in-situ at 450°C. Particular attention was addressed to the formation and growth of grains with the face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure. As a result, these observations are discussed in relation to prior work on the formation of fcc Ta by deformation and during thin film deposition.

  19. [Repeated dose toxicity studies of taltirelin tetrahydrate(TA-0910) by oral administration to rats].

    PubMed

    Inui, T; Fujiwara, T; Susami, M; Hishida, N; Kuwamura, Y; Kuse, H; Kawai, Y; Kudow, S

    1997-11-01

    Four-, 13- and 52-week repeated dose toxicity studies of taltirelin tetrahydrate(TA-0910), a thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH) analogue, were carried out in rats. Through the three studies, TA-0910 solution was administered orally at doses of 3, 30 and 300 mg/kg/day. The animals receiving TA-0910 showed hyperlocomotion, grooming and wet dog shaking which were attributable to the central effects similar to those of TRH, but there was no death nor obvious deterioration of health caused by the treatment. Body weights decreased in males of 300 mg/kg group, and food consumption was on the upward trend in females in 300 mg/kg group. In 13- and 52-week studies, females receiving 300 mg/kg showed elongated estrous cycle, although it was not an evident change. Blood examinations revealed increases in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin and hematocrit in 300 mg/kg group. Reductions in serum(plasma) proteins and lipids, and drug-metabolizing enzyme activity of the liver were regarded as non-specific changes, as they were sporadic and slight in 300 mg/kg group. Salivary gland and adrenal weights increased in 300 mg/kg group. For the thyroid, weights increased in 300 mg/kg group in the 4- and 13-week studies, and increases of microfollicles and cell debris were observed microscopically in each treated group in the 52-week study. These changes seemed to be related with hormonal action of TA-0910, but the effects on animals were judged slight from plasma TSH and thyroid hormone levels after 4 weeks of dosing. The non-toxic dose was estimated to be 30 mg/kg/day, through the rat repeated dose toxicity studies. All the above changes were alleviated or abolished by 4-week recovery period.

  20. Spatial variations of the local density of states modified by CDWs in 1 T- TaS2- xSex

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hasegawa, T.; Yamaguchi, W.; Kim, J.-J.; Wei, W.; Nantoh, M.; Ikuta, H.; Kitazawa, K.; Manivannan, A.; Fujishima, A.; Uchinokura, K.

    1994-07-01

    Spatial variations of the local density of states (LDOS) near the Fermi level have been observed on the layered dichalcogenides 1 T- TaS2- xSex ( x = 0, 0.2, 2) for the first time. The tunneling spectra on the cleaved surfaces were measured by atomic-site tunneling (AST) spectroscopy technique at room temperature. In 1T-TaS 2, the LDOS was substantially different among the three inequivalent Ta atomic sites induced by the CDW formation. However, the surface electronic structure became homogeneous, as the Se content was increased. By substituting Se for S, the minimum position of the LDOS was systematically shifted to a higher energy side above the Fermi level.