However, bacteria exhibiting all the plant-growth-promoting features simultaneously are rare [32]. Our findings add to this list a novel bacterium, Lu10-1, which has all the plant-growth-promoting characters, namely nitrogenase activity, IAA production, and P solubilization. Plant-growth-promoting PS-341 solubility dmso effects of Lu10-1 might be due to IAA alone or the combined

effects of P solubilization and nitrogenase activity, and future work will elucidate the exact mechanisms. Conclusions Strain Lu10-1 inhibited the development of anthracnose significantly. The strain can survive in both sterile and non-sterile soils for more than 60 days, produces auxins, exhibits P solubilization FG-4592 chemical structure and nitrogenase activity, and has significant growth-promoting effects on mulberry seedlings. It can also multiply and spread inside mulberry seedlings rapidly selleck products and efficiently. Taken together, strain Lu10-1 has great potential as a biocontrol and growth-promoting agent. Methods Microbial strains Cultures of B. cepacia Lu10-1

and of C. dematium were maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) [33] plates at 4°C until needed; C. dematium was obtained from the Department of Plant Protection of Shandong Agricultural University. Evaluation of antifungal activity Antagonism between Lu10-1 and C. dematium was studied by co-culturing the two microorganisms on the same PDA plate. A plug from the edge of an actively growing colony of

C. dematium was placed at the centre of the PDA plate and a suspension of Lu10-1 at its logarithmic phase growing on Luria-Bertani (LB) medium [34] was added along the periphery. Stock cultures of the bacteria were grown on the LB medium and incubated at 28°C for 1 week and, to prepare the suspension to be used for co-culturing, 100 μL of this stock culture was then added to 100 mL of LB medium and incubated at 37°C while being shaken until the exponential growth phase was reached. The plates with both the organisms were incubated at 25°C for 6-8 d. Plates to which only the LB medium Atorvastatin had been added along the periphery served as control. Mycelia in the zone of interaction with Lu10-1 bacteria were removed aseptically from the plates and placed in a drop of sterile water on a glass slide. A coverslip was placed on the film, and observations were made under a microscope (Olympus, Japan). To evaluate the inhibitory effect of Lu10-1 on the germination of C. dematium conidia, the Lu10-1 stock cultures were filtered through a Φ 0.20 μm cellulose acetate membrane (GE Healthcare, USA) filter to obtain the CFCSF. Two-fold series dilution of Lu10-1 CFCSF (10 μL) were placed into two round depressions of a depression glass slide, and 10 μL of sterile liquid LB medium was placed into the two depressions of another glass slide as control. Then, 10 μL of conidial suspension (5 × 105 conidia mL-1) of C.

Despite the increased production of IL-10, no difference was observed between macrophages infected with the two different isolates (Figure 2B). Figure 2 AZD6738 clinical trial PLC-expressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis more efficiently stimulates the cell activation, production of proinflammatory cytokines and NO 2 in alveolar macrophages. Production of (A) the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL6; (B) IL-10, determined by ELISA, and (C) NO, determined by Greiss reaction. (D) check details Quantification of phosphorylated p38, ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and PLC-γ determined by CBA (Cytometric Bead Array), and expressed as U/ mL. # P < 0.0001 for uninfected cells vs. infected cells (97-1505 or 97-1200);

***P < 0.0001; *P < 0.05 (one-way ANOVA). Data are representative of three (A–C) and two (D) independent experiments (error bars, s.e.m.). We also evaluated the ability of PLCs to activate cell-signalling. Kinase proteins are directly associated to cytokine production

www.selleckchem.com/products/anlotinib-al3818.html in pro-inflammatory cell responses to bacterial stimulus [19], including Mtb [20]. Also, considering that other bacterial PLCs were previously reported to trigger host-cell signalling pathways [2, 21], we sought to verify if the mycobacterial isolates from this study differentially activate cell-signalling proteins. Alveolar macrophages infected with both Mtb isolates showed increased phosphorylation of three serine-threonine protein kinases: MAPK p38, ERK1/2, and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase JNK1/2. Notably, the isolate 97-1505 induced higher levels of kinase phosphorylation than 97-1200 after 30 minutes of bacteria–host CYTH4 cell contact. On the other hand, host PLC-γ was not activated

by either isolate (Figure 2D). These data suggest that PLC, as a mycobacterial virulence factor, plays a role in the cell activation and induction of proinflammatory cytokines by alveolar macrophages. PLCs-expressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis impaired COX-2 and PGE2/LTB4 receptor mRNA expression Virulent Mtb uses the control of host-cell death pathways as a strategy to avoid immune response through subversion of host eicosanoid biosynthetic pathways [14]. Thus, to investigate if the PLCs represent a virulence advantage to the bacillus, we next evaluated the expression of mRNA for enzymes and receptors involved in the eicosanoid synthesis, such as 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), 5-LO Activating Protein (FLAP), Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor (BLT1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and the PGE2 receptors EP-2 and EP-4. No differences were observed in 5-LO or FLAP mRNA expression induced by the Mtb isolates. On other hand, the isolate 97-1200 induced higher expression of BLT1 gene (Ltb4r), which is known to bind LTB4 and thus is related to antimicrobial defence (Figure 3C) [16, 17, 22]. Differential expression was also observed for genes related to the PGE2 synthesis pathway.

Strategies commonly proposed under the banner of EBA include maintaining or restoring wetlands and estuaries that help protect against flooding; maintaining AP26113 supplier coral reef systems that protect islands and coastlines from wave erosion; and protecting

or restoring forests that can reduce flood damage and erosion from more frequent and severe storms while preserving access to clean water and food (Hale and Meliane 2009). In some cases, implementing these strategies is straightforward and involves actions similar to those necessary to establish most new conservation areas, except that in this case the focus is on conserving natural ecosystems that also provide a direct benefit to human communities. EBA opportunities may represent the greatest departure from traditional BMN-673 systematic planning methods. For example, rather than planning to conserve a representative set of coral reef habitats in a region, we might choose to prioritize those reefs systems most critical for the protection of coastal human communities. To do this, we would need additional data not traditionally included in regional assessments such as the vulnerability of coastal communities to storm surges (e.g., USAID 2009) or the volume of carbon and rates of deforestation associated with implementing a REDD strategy (Venter et al. 2009). We will also likely need alternative Selleck C646 decision support tools

to communicate future climate scenarios and potential EBA solutions, such as interactive Web-based mapping applications (e.g., Ferdaña et al. 2010) (Fig. 4). Regional conservation plans can be used to identify the best places to

implement EBA strategies. Early results are promising. For example, we increasingly recognize that we can re-operate dams to both improve their benefits to people and their natural flow regimes and connectivity for nature (Richter et al. 2010). In terrestrial systems, we now understand that the intensity and frequency of fire regimes are being amplified by climate change which may require larger areas to accommodate Rutecarpine these disturbances and pro-active steps to “fireproof” local communities (Brown et al. 2004). Fig. 4 Identification of natural ecosystems (marshes) that offer a range of protection to coastal human communities in Long Island, New York, with a Web mapping tool developed as part of a Coastal Resilience project (http://​coastalresilienc​e.​org/​). The tool helps explore climate change risks to coast communities and highlights area where mitigation and biodiversity conservation goals overlap Assumptions The value of including emerging opportunities in systematic conservation planning rests on at least two assumptions. The first is that conservation is always challenged for resources and opportunities and looking for ways to leverage investment or get greater return on the investment.

The highest levels of SIS3 clinical trial expression were observed in bacteria grown at 37°C, while in most cases expression at MG-132 cell line 42°C were lower than those seen at 37°C. Unlike C. jejuni 11168-O, 11168-GS tlp gene expression appears to be related to temperature, however not all tlp genes were expressed at the same level. Figure 2 Expression of Group A tlp genes for C. jejuni strain 11168-GS. Relative gene expression profiles of Group A tlp genes for C. jejuni 11168-GS grown at 37°C, 42°C and maintained in pond water. Expression is standardised and the scale is shown in log (copies per

108 of 23 S RNA). 37: grown under laboratory conditions at 37°C, 42: grown under laboratory conditions at 42°C, pond: maintained in an environmental water source at

room temperature, 22°C. Standard errors are shown as bars above the mean of a minimum of 3 independent PCR reactions. Gene expression profiles for the group A tlp genes in C. jejuni 81116 in vitro and in vivo were also diverse. It is notable that the expression of the aspartate receptor gene, tlp1, was the lowest of all tlp genes, with almost no detectable expression when grown at 37°C, 42°C or in pond water. In contrast, tlp1 was https://www.selleckchem.com/products/cbl0137-cbl-0137.html highly expressed in C. jejuni 81116 isolated from in vivo hosts (p < 0.05) (Figure 3). Expression levels seen for tlp1, tlp2, tlp3, tlp7 and tlp10 were all higher in C. jejuni isolated from both in vivo hosts, compared to bacteria grown at an equivalent temperature under laboratory conditions, indicating that host factors are involved in stimulation of tlp gene expression. The expression of tlp7 and 10 were consistently higher than the other tlp genes under all conditions tested, with the highest expression observed for tlp7 in 81116 isolated from the intestines of mice. Figure 3 Expression of Group A tlp genes for C.

jejuni strain 81116. Relative gene expression profiles of Group A tlp genes for C. jejuni 81116 grown at 37°C, 42°C, maintained in pond water and Pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase isozyme 1 isolated in vivo from chicken and mouse. Expression is standardised and the scale is shown in log (copies per 108 of 23 S RNA). 37: grown under laboratory conditions at 37°C, 42: grown under laboratory conditions at 42°C, pond: maintained in an environmental water source at room temperature, 22°C, chicken: directly isolated from chicken caecal content by Dyna-beads, mouse: directly isolated from mouse intestines by Dyna-beads. Standard errors are shown as bars above the mean of a minimum of 3 independent PCR reactions. Verification of Tlp1 expression by Western blot To verify that mRNA levels detected by qPCR reflected the level of protein produced in the bacterial cells, Western blot analysis was performed, using whole cell protein of C.

The O 1s XPS spectra of L-NiO films with (d) 2, (e) 6, and (f) 10 at% of Li. The optical transmittance spectra of L-NiO films in the wavelength range from 200 to 1,100 nm are shown in Figure 5. The transparency of L-NiO films decreases from approximately 89% to approximately 57% as Li HDAC inhibitor concentration increases from 2 to 10 at%. Two reasons will cause this result: (1) Observing from the surface morphology (FE-SEM images), the crystallization and grain size of L-NiO films increase with Li concentration, and the scattering effect occurs in higher Li-doped concentration. (2) The existence of Ni3+

ions measured from XPS gives rise to the brown or black colorations [18]. The inset of Figure 5 presents the plots of (αhν)1/2 versus hν (photon energy) for L-NiO films. MK-8931 The optical band gap has been calculated by extrapolating the linear part of the curves. The optical band gap of L-NiO films gradually decreases from 3.08 to 2.75 eV with Li concentration because of the decrease

in carrier mobility. These results are caused by the dopant Li ions which act as the scattering center and hinder the carrier to move. Figure click here 5 Transmittance spectra of L-NiO films deposited with different Li concentrations. Conclusions Non-vacuum SPM method was used to deposit high quality p-type L-NiO films. The (200) preferred orientation of L-NiO films increases over (111) as the Li concentration increases, which would cause the better conductive properties and resist electrical aging in the L-NiO films. In this study, the characteristics of modified SPM deposited L-NiO films were comparable to the sputter-deposited ones, and the optimum Li doping amount is set at 8 at %. Authors’ information C-CW was born in Taiwan, in 1979. He received the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2009. In 2009, he joined department of electronic engineering, BCKDHA Kao Yuan University, where he investigated on organic/inorganic nanocomposites materials, integrated passive devices (IPDs), transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films, electron ceramics and carbon nanotubes and graphene.

C-FY was born in Taiwan, in 1964. He received the BS, MS, and Ph.D degree in electrical engineering from the National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, in 1986, 1988, and 1993. In 2014, he joined department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, where he investigated on ferroelectric ceramics and thin films, application ferroelectric materials in memory devices, organic/nanotubes nanocomposites, organic/inorganic nanocomposites, YZO thin films, transparent conduction oxide thin films and their applications in solar cells, microwave antennas, and microwave filters. Acknowledgement The authors acknowledge the financial support of the National Science Council of the Republic of China (NSC 101-2221-E-244-006 and 101-3113-S-244-001). References 1.

4.0. Protein assignment to a spot required validation by MS data from at least two representative gels. The denoted spot numbers are equivalent to those listed in Table 1 with their ‘-Fe vs. +Fe’ protein abundance Torin 1 concentration ratios and other data. Figure 2 Protein display in 2D gels of Y. pestis KIM6+ periplasmic fractions in the MEK162 concentration pI range 6.5-9 (-Fe vs. +Fe conditions). Proteins were derived from cell growth in the presence of 10 μM FeCl3 at 26°C (top) or absence of FeCl3 at 26°C (bottom). Gels (20 × 25 cm) were stained with CBB, with three gel replicates representing each group, and subjected to differential display analysis using the software Proteomweaver v.4.0. Protein assignment to a spot

required validation by MS data from at least two representative gels. The denoted spot numbers are equivalent to those listed in Table 1 with their ‘-Fe vs. +Fe’ protein abundance ratios and other data. Figure 3 Protein display in 2D gels of Y. pestis KIM6+ membrane fractions in the pI range 4-7 (-Fe vs. +Fe VS-4718 in vitro conditions). Proteins were derived from cell growth in

the presence of 10 μM FeCl3 at 26°C (top) or absence of FeCl3 at 26°C (bottom). Gels (20 × 25 cm) were stained with CBB, with five gel replicates representing each of the groups, and subjected to differential display analysis using the software Proteomweaver v.4.0. Protein assignments to a spot (or a spot train) required validation by MS data from at least two representative gels. The denoted spots and spot trains are ID-8 equivalent to those listed in Table 2 with their ‘-Fe vs. +Fe’ protein abundance ratios and other data. Figure 4 Protein display in 2D gels of Y. pestis KIM6+ cytoplasmic fractions in the pI range 4-7 (-Fe vs. +Fe conditions). Proteins were derived from cell growth in the presence of 10 μM FeCl3 at 26°C (top) or the absence of FeCl3 at 26°C (bottom). Gels (20 × 25 cm) were stained with CBB, with four gel replicates representing each group, and subjected to differential display analysis using the software

Proteomweaver v.4.0. Protein assignment to a spot required validation by MS data from at least two representative gels. The denoted spot numbers are equivalent to those listed in Table 3 with their ‘-Fe vs. +Fe’ protein abundance ratios and other data. Abundance increases in iron-starved cells were observed for the multifunctional yersiniabactin synthase subunits HMWP1 and HMWP2 (products of the irp1 and irp2 genes, respectively) and other enzymes contributing to yersiniabactin biosynthesis (YbtS#73, YbtT#75, YbtE#76 and YbtU#74). The high Mr proteins HMWP1 and HMWP2 were reliably quantitated only from SDS-PAGE gels (data not shown). The ysu locus encodes an OM receptor (YsuR/Y2633), an ABC transporter (Y2634-Y2637) and a suite of siderophore biosynthetic enzymes (Y2638-Y2641).

J Pathol 2003, 201:544–554.PubMedCrossRef 19. Witte D, Thomas A, Ali N, Carlson N, Younes M: Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and its ligand VEGF-C in human Selleck VX-680 colorectal adenocarcinoma. Anticancer Res 2002, 22:1463–1466.PubMed 20. Neuchrist C, Erovic BM, Handisurya A, Fischer MB, Steiner GE, Hollemann D, Gedlicka

C, Saaristo A, Burian M: Vascular endothelial growth factor C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Head Neck 2003, 25:464–474.PubMedCrossRef 21. Ishikawa M, Kitayama J, Kazama S, Nagawa H: The expression pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor C and D in human esophageal normal mucosa, dysplasia and neoplasia. Hepatogastroenterology 2004, 51:1319–1322.PubMed 22. Ding MX, Lin XQ, Fu XY, Zhang N, Li JC: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and angiogenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2006, 12:4582–4585.PubMed 23. Okazawa T, Yoshida T, Shirai Y, Shiraishi

R, Harada find more T, Sakaida I, Abe T, Oka M: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C is a prognostic indicator in esophageal cancer. Hepatogastroenterology 2008, 55:1503–1508.PubMed 24. Minashi K, Muto M, Ohtsu A: Nonsurgical treatments for submucosal esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Esophagus 2007, 4:159–164.CrossRef 25. Arima M, Arima H, Tada M, Tanaka Y: Diagnostic accuracy of tumor staging and treatment outcomes in patients with superficial esophageal

cancer. Esophagus 2007, 4:145–153.CrossRef 26. Pech O, May A, Gunter E, Gossner L, Ell C: The impact of endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography on the TNM staging of early cancer in Barrett’s esophagus. Am J Gastroenterol 2006, 101:2223–2229.PubMedCrossRef 27. Kim K, Park SJ, Kim BT, Lee KS, Shim YM: Evaluation of lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus with positron emission tomography. Ann Thorac Surg 2001, 71:290–294.PubMedCrossRef 28. Yoon YC, Lee KS, Shim YM, Kim BT, Kim K, Kim TS: Metastasis to regional lymph nodes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: CT versus FDG PET for ADP ribosylation factor presurgical detection prospective study. Radiology 2003, 227:764–770.PubMedCrossRef Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors’ contributions TT carried out most of experiments, participated in the design of the study, performed the statistical analysis and Emricasan solubility dmso drafted the manuscript. HI, YF and HT participated in the design of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. YK participated in its design and coordination. MK, AM, TK, MS and YN assisted the experiments. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”
“Background High-intensity exercise typically leads to a depletion of body carbohydrate stores, primarily muscle glycogen.

Peak power was defined as the highest mechanical

power output elicited during the test. Mean power was defined as the average mechanical power during the 20 s test. The fatigue index was determined by dividing the highest power output by the lowest power output. A total of three 20-s Wingate tests (one Wingate test per 10-min period) were performed during each trial and measures were averaged over the three sprints. Questionnaires Topoisomerase inhibitor Prior to each bout of performance measures subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire containing four questions using a 5-point rating scale. Subjects were asked to rate their energy level, fatigue level, feelings of alertness and feelings of focus for task using the following verbal anchors: 1 = very low; 2 = low; 3 = average; 4 = high; 5 = very high. The same researcher performed

all test administrations and tests were conducted under controlled conditions (a quiet room). The average response of the three testing sessions was computed. Trichostatin A mouse supplement On each visit subjects consumed 120 ml of the ready to drink supplement or placebo. The supplement used is marketed as Redline Extreme® (Vital Pharmaceuticals, Davie, FL) and contains caffeine anhydrous, beta-alanine, vitamin C, and the following Ku-0059436 purchase herbal and botanical compounds; evodiamine, N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, hordenine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, potassium citrate, N-methyl tyramine, sulbutiamine, vinpocetine, yohimbine HCL, and St. John’s wort extract. The placebo was similar in appearance and taste to Redline Extreme®, but contained only an inert substance. Statistical analyses Statistical analysis of the data was accomplished using a repeated measures analysis of variance. In the event of a significant F-ratio, LSD post-hoc tests were used for pairwise comparisons. Comparisons of the average performance measures for the three testing periods were analyzed using paired student’s T-tests. A criterion alpha level of p ≤ 0.05 was used to

determine statistical significance. All data are reported as mean ± SD. Results The responses to the questionnaire can be seen in Table 1. The average energy level during the three testing periods was significantly higher for SUP than PL. In addition, focus for task was significantly greater at T3 for SUP than PL, and the Phospholipase D1 average focus for task for all three testing periods combined was significantly higher for SUP than PL. Average feelings of alertness tended to be higher (p < 0.06) for SUP than PL. No significant differences in perceived levels of fatigue were seen between the groups. Table 1 Response to performance questionnaire Question Group T1 T2 T3 AVG My energy level is: Sup 3.7 ± 0.7 3.5 ± 0.7 3.3 ± 0.6 3.5 ± 0.5 *   PL 3.2 ± 0.6 3.2 ± 0.6 2.8 ± 0.9 3.1 ± 0.5 My fatigue level is: Sup 2.3 ± 0.9 2.8 ± 0.8 3.1 ± 0.7 2.7 ± 0.6   PL 2.4 ± 0.7 3.1 ± 0.5 3.3 ± 0.9 2.9 ± 0.5 My feeling of alertness is: Sup 3.7 ± 0.7 3.6 ± 0.5 3.6 ± 0.7 3.6 ± 0.4   PL 3.3 ± 0.7 3.4 ± 0.7 3.1 ± 1.0 3.3 ± 0.

HEK 293 T cells treated with CCNSs all show over 80% survival rate, which indicates that the CCNSs show low cytotoxicity and have good biocompatibility. Compared with free etoposide, ECCNSs showed obviously lower cytotoxicity against normal cells. It can be inferred that embedding of etoposide into CCNSs can alleviate the cytotoxicity of etoposide

to normal cells. Figure 7 The viability of HEK 293 T and SGC -7901 cells influenced by CCNSs, free etoposide, and ECCNSs. (a) and (b) growth inhibition assay results for HEK 293 T cell line with CCNSs, free etoposide, and ECCNSs after 24 and 48 h incubation. Diagrams were plotted as particle concentrations of 5, 10, 20, and LXH254 research buy 40 μg/mL. (c) and (d) growth inhibition assay results for SGC-7901 cell line with CCNSs, free etoposide, and ECCNSs after 24 and 48 h incubation. Diagrams were plotted as etoposide concentrations of 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg/mL. All experiments were carried out in triplicate. Figure 7c, d shows the Alisertib order effect of etoposide formulation on the inhibition against SGC-7901 cell growth. The results showed the suppression of SGC-7901 cell growth by different nanohybrids was concentration and time dependent. The inhibition rates of ECCNSs and the free etoposide

are 72.66% and 41.40% over 48 h, respectively. Obviously, ECCNSs showed SB273005 supplier higher suppression efficiency than free etoposide against the growth of SGC-7901 cells. Synergistic therapeutic effects occurred when etoposide was entrapped by CCNSs. It is possible that good dispersivity and stability

of ECCNSs in culture medium (Figure 5) may lead to a greater cellular uptake than that of free etoposide. Then, the pH values of culture media for SGC-7901 cells were measured as 8.1 (0 h), 7.82 (24 h), and 6.76 (48 h). Therefore, it can be inferred that the release of etoposide from ECCNSs may increase as the pH value of the culture decreases because of its pH-sensitive controlled release Urease behavior investigated above. The stronger cell inhibition of ECCNSs further confirms that the cell uptake of nanoparticles, the decomposition of ECCNSs as the pH descends, and the passive diffusion of the free etoposide released from the ECCNSs, together helped to achieve the cell inhibition effect. The mechanism of cell growth inhibition by ECCNS nanoparticles was studied using Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. As we know, early apoptosis was characterized by plasma membrane reorganization and was detected by positive staining for Annexin V-FITC while later stage apoptosis was characterized by DNA damage and detected by positive staining for both Annexin V and PI. In this study, we stained SGC-7091 cells with Annexin V-FITC and PI after the treatment of free etoposide or ECCNSs (30 μg/mL) nanoparticles for 24 h. Meanwhile, cells without any addition were set as control. As given in Figure 8a, SGC-7901 cells without any additive showed 0.

The trend of beta (the deteriorative degree of dielectric relaxation) rises from 12.1 nm, peaks at 22.5 nm with the beta value of 0.03, and then declines within the range of 22.5 to 25 nm. The trend of tau decreases from 12.1 to 25 nm accordingly, similar to the CeO2 samples. It is well known that the optical and electrical properties of CeO2 are highly dependent on the surface and interface structure, morphology, and chemistry [10], which in turn is controlled by the fabrication technique and growth conditions [11]. The ability to tailor the properties so as to optimize performance requires a detailed understanding of the relationship

between electronic and geometric structures, particularly at nanoscale dimensions, of CeO2. CeO2 readily crystallizes in the fluorite form, but control

over the grain size formed is important due to the effect of grain boundary density on properties Selleckchem PXD101 like ionic conductivity and dielectric response [12]. Moreover, the intrinsic frequency dispersion (dielectric relaxation) studies [13, 14] have also been found to be relevant to grain size of the samples, especially those dealing with nanostructured materials. In this check details paper, CeO2 is prepared by ALD under different deposition temperatures. The grain size of the samples is determined respectively by the fabrication technique and growth conditions. The focus of the present work is, therefore, on elucidating grain size effects on the electrical properties of CeO2. An interesting correlation between grain size and dielectric relaxation, which provides a reference to tailor the properties and performance of CeO2 as a high-k thin film, has been presented and discussed in the paper. Methods The CeO2 thin films were NVP-BSK805 deposited by liquid injection ALD via a modified Aixtron AIX 200FE AVD reactor (Herzogenrath, Germany) fitted with a liquid injector system. The precursor was a 0.05-M solution

of [Ce(mmp)4] (SAFC Hitech Ltd, Dorset, England, UK) in toluene [9], and the source of oxygen was deionized water. ALD procedures were run at substrate temperatures of 150°C, 200°C, 250°C, 300°C, and 350°C, respectively. The evaporator temperature was 100°C, and the reactor pressure was 1 mbar. The CeO2 thin films were grown on n-Si(100) wafers. Argon carrier gas flow was performed with Acyl CoA dehydrogenase 100 cm3/min. The flow of [Ce(mmp)4]/purge/H2O/purge was 2:2:0.5:3.5 s, and the number of growth cycles was 300. For physical characterization, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was achieved using a Rigaku miniflex diffractometer (Shibuya-ku, Japan) with CuKα radiation (0.154051 nm, 40 kV, 50 mA), spanning a 2θ range of 20° to 50° at a scan rate of 0.01°/min. Raman spectra were obtained with a Jobin-Yvon LabRam HR consisting of a confocal microscope coupled to a single grating spectrometer equipped with a notch filter and a charge-coupled device camera detector.