Two-dimensional (2D) materials, particularly black phosphorus (bP), have demonstrated themselves to be excellent candidates for high-performance infrared photodetectors and transistors. However, high-quality bP can be obtained only via mechanical exfoliation from high-temperature- and high-pressure-grown bulk crystals and degrades rapidly when exposed to ambient conditions. Here, we report solution-synthesized and air-stable quasi-2D tellurium (Te) nanoflakes for short-wave infrared (SWIR) photodetectors. We perform comprehensive optical characterization via polarization-resolved transmission and reflection measurements and report the absorbance and complex refractive index of Te crystals. It is found that this material is an indirect semiconductor with a band gap of 0.31 eV. From temperature-dependent electrical measurements, we confirm this band-gap value and find that 12 nm thick Te nanoflakes show high hole mobilities of 450 and 1430 cm V s at 300 and 77 K, respectively. Finally, we demonstrate that despite its indirect band gap, Te can be utilized for high-performance SWIR photodetectors by employing optical cavity substrates consisting of Au/AlO to dramatically increase the absorption in the semiconductor. By changing the thickness of the AlO cavity, the peak responsivity of Te photoconductors can be tuned from 1.4 μm (13 A/W) to 2.4 μm (8 A/W) with a cutoff wavelength of 3.4 μm, fully capturing the SWIR band. An optimized room-temperature specific detectivity ( D*) of 2 × 10 cm Hz W is obtained at a wavelength of 1.7 μm.

Scalable synthesis of ultralight, multifunctional, and high-temperature resilient ceramic nanofiber sponges by blow-spinning.

There is an emerging need for semiconductors that can be processed at near ambient temperature with high mobility and device performance. Although multiple n-type options have been identified, the development of their p-type counterparts remains limited. Here, we report the realization of tellurium ( Te) thin films through thermal evaporation at cryogenic temperatures for fabrication of high-performance wafer-scale p-type field-effect transistors (FETs). We achieve an effective hole mobility of 35 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , on/off current ratio of ~10 4 and subthreshold swing of 108 mVdec -1 on an 8 nm thick film. High-performance Te p-FETs are fabricated on a wide range of substrates including glass and plastic, further demonstrating the broad applicability of this material. Significantly, 3D circuits are demonstrated by integrating multi-layered transistors on a single chip using sequential lithography, deposition and lift-off processes. Finally, various functional logic gates and circuits are demonstrated.

Purpose To assess the safety and tolerability of pre-operative cryoablation-mediated tumor antigen presentation and/or ipilimumab-mediated immune modulation in women with operable breast cancer. Experimental design In this pilot study, 19 women with breast cancer for whom mastectomy was planned were treated with pre-operative tumor cryoablation (n=7), single-dose ipilimumab at 10mg/kg (n=6), or both (n=6). The primary outcome for this pilot study was safety/tolerability as defined as freedom from delays in pre-planned, curative-intent mastectomy. Exploratory studies of immune activation were performed on peripheral blood and tumor. Results Pre-operative cryoablation and/or ipilimumab were safe and tolerable, with no delays in pre-planned surgery. Grade III toxicity was seen in 1/19 (unrelated rash after ipilimumab). Combination therapy was associated with sustained peripheral elevations in: Th1-type cytokines, activated (ICOS+) and proliferating (Ki67+) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and post-treatment proliferative T-effector cells relative to T-regulatory cells within tumor. Conclusions Pre-operative cryoablation and single-dose ipilimumab are safe alone or in combination with no surgical delays incurred. Potentially favorable intra-tumoral and systemic immunologic effects were observed with the combination, suggesting the possibility for induced and synergistic anti-tumor immunity with this strategy.

The electrochemical properties of Co-Ni layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as efficient electrocatalysts for water oxidation were investigated in potassium phosphate electrolyte under neutral pH condition. The Co-Ni LDHs with a core-shell structure were fabricated using a facile route from a Co-Ni hydroxide precursor with iodine as a topotactic oxidizer. The unique core-shell morphology is likely due to the enrichment of Co(III) hydroxide in the inner core indicated by selected area electron diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Through a self-assembling process at the organic/inorganic interface and dip-coating, the Co-Ni LDHs were deposited onto FTO glass substrates to prepare composite electrodes. Low over-potential and high current density was achieved in the oxygen evolution reaction. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of Co-Ni LDHs may be attributed to more accessible Co active sites and rapid movement of interlayer ions within their layered structure.

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)–induced differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells, the gene expression patterns in the APL cell line NB4 before and after ATRA treatment were analyzed using complementary DNA array, suppression-subtractive hybridization, and differential-display–polymerase chain reaction. A total of 169 genes, including 8 novel ones, were modulated by ATRA. The ATRA-induced gene expression profiles were in high accord with the differentiation and proliferation status of the NB4 cells. The time courses of their modulation were interesting. Among the 100 up-regulated genes, the induction of expression occurred most frequently 12-48 hours after ATRA treatment, while 59 of 69 down-regulated genes found their expression suppressed within 8 hours. The transcriptional regulation of 8 induced and 24 repressed genes was not blocked by cycloheximide, which suggests that these genes may be direct targets of the ATRA signaling pathway. A balanced functional network seemed to emerge, and it formed the foundation of decreased cellular proliferation, maintenance of cell viability, increased protein modulation, and promotion of granulocytic maturation. Several cytosolic signaling pathways, including JAKs/STAT and MAPK, may also be implicated in the symphony of differentiation.

A treatment strategy that combines arsenic trioxide (ATO) with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate (STI571, Gleevec) appears to induce markedly more cell apoptosis than imatinib mesylate alone in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). To understand the mechanisms underlying the synergistic/additive action of these agents, we applied cDNA microarrays, component plane presentation integrated self-organizing map (CPP-SOM), and methods of protein biochemistry to study cell apoptosis induced by imatinib mesylate, ATO, and the combination of the 2 agents in the CML cell line K562. Numerous features with temporospatial relationships were revealed, indicating the coordinated regulation of molecular networks from various aspects of proapoptotic and apoptotic activities in CML. Imatinib mesylate appears to induce mainly the intrinsic pathway of cell apoptosis, whereas ATO induces the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated pathway of cell apoptosis, and the combination of the 2 agents seems to more effectively induce the intrinsic, extrinsic, and ER stress-mediated pathways of cell apoptosis, which results in a more effective and efficient induction of programmed cell death in K562 cells. This finding appears to be supported also by data de- IntroductionAdvances in molecular pathogenesis have facilitated the development of therapeutic strategies targeted to molecular events critical for human malignancies. This is represented by the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with imatinib mesylate (STI571), a specifically designed inhibitor that targets the tyrosine kinase activity of the BCR-ABL protein and consequently induces apoptosis in vitro as well as in vivo in CML cells. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Recent clinical trials in the chronic phase of CML have also demonstrated the remarkable efficacy of this molecularly targeted agent to patients with CML. 7 However, a significant proportion of the treated patients with previously failed experiences of interferon therapy remained predominantly BCR-ABL ϩ , suggesting a risk of later relapse. 8 Furthermore, patients in the accelerated and blast-crisis phase revealed a high frequency of relapse or resistance to imatinib mesylate. 9-11 As a result, much interest is now focused on the development of combination therapies to improve response rates and prevent resistance or relapse. 12 Arsenic, the oldest and also the newest form of antileukemia drug, may promote apoptosis and exert anti-CML effects. 13 A treatment strategy that combines arsenic compounds that lower BCR-ABL levels, with imatinib mesylate that inhibits BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity, has indeed shown promising potential in inducing more apoptosis in BCR-ABL ϩ cells. [14][15][16] Clinical applications of similar strategies may potentially strengthen the curative effects of imatinib mesylate. To better evaluate additive or synergistic effects of the combination of ATO with imatinib mesylate in CML cells, and to develop more sophisticated clinical protocols, we treated the CML cell line K562 with ATO, imatinib...

Two-dimensional (2D) nanoscale oxides have attracted research interest owing to their electronic, magnetic optical and catalytic properties. If they could be manufactured on a large scale, 2D oxides would be attractive for applications ranging from electronics to energy conversion and storage. Herein, we report facile fabrication of oxide nanosheets by rapid thermal annealing of corresponding hydrous-chloride compounds. By heating CrCl3·6H2O, ZrOCl2·8H2O, AlCl3·6H2O and YCl3·6H2O crystals as precursors, we immediately collect large quantities of ultrathin Cr2O3, ZrO2, Al2O3 and Y2O3 nanosheets, respectively. The formation of layered nanosheets relies on exfoliation driven by rapid evaporation of water and/or other gas molecules generated under annealing. Our route allows simple, efficient and inexpensive production of 2D oxides. As a demonstration, we evaluate Cr2O3 nanosheets prepared by our method as anodes in lithium-ion batteries and find superior performance in comparison with their microcrystalline counterparts.