scholarly journals Structural origins of coloration in the spider Phoroncidia rubroargentea Berland, 1913 (Araneae: Theridiidae) from Madagascar

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (139) ◽  
pp. 20170930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Kariko ◽  
Jaakko V. I. Timonen ◽  
James C. Weaver ◽  
Dvir Gur ◽  
Carolyn Marks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Doublet Structure ◽  
Preservation Conditions ◽  
Cuticular Layer ◽  
Red Coloration

This study investigates the structural basis for the red, silver and black coloration of the theridiid spider, Phoroncidia rubroargentea (Berland, 1913) from Madagascar. Specimens of this species can retain their colour after storage in ethanol for decades, whereas most other brightly pigmented spider specimens fade under identical preservation conditions. Using correlative optical, structural and chemical analysis, we identify the colour-generating structural elements and characterize their optical properties. The prominent silvery appearance of the spider's abdomen results from regularly arranged guanine microplatelets, similar to those found in other spiders and fish. The microplatelets are composed of a doublet structure twinned about the [ ] axis, as suggested by electron diffraction. The red coloration originates from chambered microspheres (approx. 1 µm in diameter), which contain structured fluorescent material. Co-localization of the red microparticles on top of the reflective guanine microplatelets appears to enhance the red coloration. The spider's thick cuticular layer, which encases its abdomen, varies in its optical properties, being transparent in regions where only guanine reflectors are present, and tanned, exhibiting light absorption where the red microspheres are found. Moreover, colour degradation in some preserved spider specimens that had suffered damage to the cuticular layer suggests that this region of the exoskeleton may play an important role in the stabilization of the red coloration.

Sector growth and symmetry of (F,OH) apatite from the Asio mine, Japan

1994 ◽  
Vol 58 (391) ◽  
pp. 307-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mizuhiko Akizuki ◽  
Hirotugu Nisidoh ◽  
Yasuhiro Kudoh ◽  
Tomohiro Watanabe ◽  
Kazuo Kurata
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Crystal Growth ◽  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Growth Surface ◽  
Complete Disappearance ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Solid Crystal ◽  
Wet Chemical ◽  
Growth Features

AbstractA study of apatite crystals from the Asio mine, Japan, showed sectoral texture related to the growth of the crystal, and with optically biaxial properties within the sectors. Wet chemical analysis gave a composition Ca5(PO4)3(F0.64,OH0.38,Cl0.01)1.03 for the specimen.Additional diffraction spots were not observed in precession and oscillation X-ray photographs and electron diffraction photographs. Since the internal textures correlate with the surface growth features, it is suggested that the internal textures and the unusual optical properties were produced during nonequilibrium crystal growth. The fluorine/hydroxyl sites in hexagonal apatite are symmetrically equivalent in the solid crystal but, at a growth surface, this equivalence may be lost, resulting in a reduction of crystal symmetry. Heating of the apatite to about 850°C results in the almost complete disappearance of the optical anomalies due to disordering, which may be related to the loss of hydroxyl from the crystal.

Microdomains in BaFeO3-y (0.35 < y < 0.50)

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 780-781
Author(s):  
M. Vallet-Regí ◽  
M. Parras ◽  
J.M. González-Calbet ◽  
J.C. Grenier
Keyword(s):  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Monoclinic Phase ◽  
Orthorhombic Phase ◽  
Total Iron ◽  
Zone Axis ◽  
Electron Micrograph ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Compositional Variations

BaFeO3-y compositions (0.35<y<0.50) have been investigated by means of electron diffraction and microscopy to resolve contradictory results from powder X-ray diffraction data.The samples were obtained by annealing BaFeO2.56 for 48 h. in the temperature range from 980°C to 1050°C . Total iron and barium in the samples were determined using chemical analysis and gravimetric methods, respectively.In the BaFeO3-y system, according to the electron diffraction and microscopy results, the nonstoichiometry is accommodated in different ways as a function of the composition (y):In the domain between BaFeO2.5+δBaFeO2.54, compositional variations are accommodated through the formation of microdomains. Fig. la shows the ED pattern of the BaFeO2.52 material along thezone axis. The corresponding electron micrograph is seen in Fig. 1b. Several domains corresponding to the monoclinic BaFeO2.50 phase, intergrow with domains of the orthorhombic phase. According to that, the ED pattern of Fig. 1a, can be interpreted as formed by the superposition of three types of diffraction maxima : Very strong spots corresponding to a cubic perovskite, a set of maxima due to the superposition of three domains of the monoclinic phase along [100]m and a series of maxima corresponding to three domains corresponding to the orthorhombic phase along the [100]o.

Electron diffraction detection of ordliking in annealed PbTe thin film

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1019
Author(s):  
Karimat El-Sayed
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Lead Telluride ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Face Centered Cubic ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Polycrystalline Thin Films ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Diffraction Patterns ◽  
Face Centered

Lead telluride is an important semiconductor of many applications. Many Investigators showed that there are anamolous descripancies in most of the electrophysical properties of PbTe polycrystalline thin films on annealing. X-Ray and electron diffraction studies are being undertaken in the present work in order to explain the cause of this anamolous behaviour.Figures 1-3 show the electron diffraction of the unheated, heated in air at 100°C and heated in air at 250°C respectively of a 300°A polycrystalline PbTe thin film. It can be seen that Fig. 1 is a typical [100] projection of a face centered cubic with unmixed (hkl) indices. Fig. 2 shows the appearance of faint superlattice reflections having mixed (hkl) indices. Fig. 3 shows the disappearance of thf superlattice reflections and the appearance of polycrystalline PbO phase superimposed on the [l00] PbTe diffraction patterns. The mechanism of this three stage process can be explained on structural basis as follows :

Designing TIMP (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases) variants that are selective metalloproteinase inhibitors

2003 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideaki Nagase ◽  
Keith Brew
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Tissue Inhibitors Of Metalloproteinases ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Ridge Structure ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components ◽  
Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase

The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are endogenous inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that play central roles in the degradation of extracellular matrix components. The balance between MMPs and TIMPs is important in the maintenance of tissues, and its disruption affects tissue homoeostasis. Four related TIMPs (TIMP-1 to TIMP-4) can each form a complex with MMPs in a 1:1 stoichiometry with high affinity, but their inhibitory activities towards different MMPs are not particularly selective. The three-dimensional structures of TIMP-MMP complexes reveal that TIMPs have an extended ridge structure that slots into the active site of MMPs. Mutation of three separate residues in the ridge, at positions 2, 4 and 68 in the amino acid sequence of the N-terminal inhibitory domain of TIMP-1 (N-TIMP-1), separately and in combination has produced N-TIMP-1 variants with higher binding affinity and specificity for individual MMPs. TIMP-3 is unique in that it inhibits not only MMPs, but also several ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) and ADAMTS (ADAM with thrombospondin motifs) metalloproteinases. Inhibition of the latter groups of metalloproteinases, as exemplified with ADAMTS-4 (aggrecanase 1), requires additional structural elements in TIMP-3 that have not yet been identified. Knowledge of the structural basis of the inhibitory action of TIMPs will facilitate the design of selective TIMP variants for investigating the biological roles of specific MMPs and for developing therapeutic interventions for MMP-associated diseases.

Recent Advances and the Design Criteria of Metal Sulfide Photocathode and Photoanode for Photoelectrocatalysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui Ying Toe ◽  
Shujie Zhou ◽  
Michael Gunawan ◽  
Xinxin Lu ◽  
Yun Hau Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Metal Sulfide ◽  
Metal Sulfides ◽  
Design Criteria ◽  
Structural And Optical Properties ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Favorable Light

Metal sulfides have emerged as promising materials for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications due to their favorable light absorption ability, tunable structural and optical properties. With the rapid development of PEC systems,...

High electron mobility, controllable magnetism and anomalous light absorption in a monolayered tin mononitride semiconductor

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (19) ◽  
pp. 6396-6402
Author(s):  
Shuqing Zhang ◽  
Xiaolong Zou
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Electron Mobility ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
High Electron ◽  
High Electron Mobility

A monolayered tin mononitride semiconductor with ultrahigh electron mobility, controllable magnetism and outstanding optical properties was predicted.

scholarly journals Hydrothermal Synthesis of Rare-Earth Modified Titania: Influence on Phase Composition, Optical Properties, and Photocatalytic Activity

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nejc Rozman ◽  
David Tobaldi ◽  
Uroš Cvelbar ◽  
Harinarayanan Puliyalil ◽  
João Labrincha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Photocatalytic Activity ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Hydrothermal Synthesis ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Rare Earths ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
Pure Tio2 ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hydroxyl Oxygen

In order to expand the use of titania indoor as well as to increase its overall performance, narrowing the band gap is one of the possibilities to achieve this. Modifying with rare earths (REs) has been relatively unexplored, especially the modification of rutile with rare earth cations. The aim of this study was to find the influence of the modification of TiO2 with rare earths on its structural, optical, morphological, and photocatalytic properties. Titania was synthesized using TiOSO4 as the source of titanium via hydrothermal synthesis procedure at low temperature (200 °C) and modified with selected rare earth elements, namely, Ce, La, and Gd. Structural properties of samples were determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and the phase ratio was calculated using the Rietveld method. Optical properties were analyzed by ultraviolet and visible light (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) was used to determine the morphological properties of samples and to estimate the size of primary crystals. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine the chemical bonding properties of samples. Photocatalytic activity of the prepared photocatalysts as well as the titania available on the market (P25) was measured in three different setups, assessing volatile organic compound (VOC) degradation, NOx abatement, and water purification. It was found out that modification with rare earth elements slows down the transformation of anatase and brookite to rutile. Whereas the unmodified sample was composed of only rutile, La- and Gd-modified samples contained anatase and rutile, and Ce-modified samples consisted of anatase, brookite, and rutile. Modification with rare earth metals has turned out to be detrimental to photocatalytic activity. In all cases, pure TiO2 outperformed the modified samples. Cerium-modified TiO2 was the least active sample, despite having a light absorption tail up to 585 nm wavelength. La- and Gd-modified samples did not show a significant shift in light absorption when compared to the pure TiO2 sample. The reason for the lower activity of modified samples was attributed to a greater Ti3+/Ti4+ ratio and a large amount of hydroxyl oxygen found in pure TiO2. All the modified samples had a smaller Ti3+/Ti4+ ratio and less hydroxyl oxygen.

scholarly journals Sexual dichromatism of the Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Coeligena helianthea, hummingbird plumage

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Sosa ◽  
Juan L. Parra ◽  
Doekele G. Stavenga ◽  
Marco A. Giraldo
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Spectral Data ◽  
Reflectance Spectra ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Sexual Dichromatism ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Optical Modelling ◽  
The Many

Abstract Among the many richly coloured birds, hummingbirds with their brilliant colouration are outstanding. We studied the plumage of male and female Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Coeligena helianthea, which exhibits a marked sexual dichromatism. The wide diversity of coloured feathers (blue, purple, golden, green, red) makes it an attractive species to investigate the structural basis of the colouration and to study the connection between the displayed colours and the perception by conspecifics. We analysed the optical properties of the feather barbules, applying spectrophotometry, scatterometry, and electron microscopy. Using the anatomical results, the spectral data can be interpreted by optical modelling. The reflectance spectra of the feathers of male C. helianthea strikingly overlap with the spectral sensitivities of bird photoreceptors, which suggests that the feather and photoreceptor spectra are tuned.

scholarly journals The Effect of Carbon Defects in the Coal–Pyrite Vacancy on the Electronic Structure and Optical Properties: A DFT + U Study

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 815
Author(s):  
Wei Cheng ◽  
Chen Cheng ◽  
Baolin Ke
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Electronic Structure ◽  
Absorption Coefficient ◽  
Light Absorption ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Doping Concentration ◽  
Carbon Doping ◽  
Photovoltaic Materials ◽  
Light Absorption Coefficient ◽  
Carbon Impurities

Pyrite is a mineral often associated with coal in coal seams and is a major source of sulfur in coal. Coal–pyrite is widely distributed, easily available, low-cost, and non-toxic, and has high light absorption coefficient. So, it shows potential for various applications. In this paper, the density-functional theory (DFT + U) is used to construct coal–pyrite with carbon doped in the sulfur and iron vacancies of pyrite. The effects of different carbon defects, different carbon doping concentrations, and different doping distributions in the same concentration on the electronic structure and optical properties of coal–pyrite were studied. The results show that the absorption coefficient and reflectivity of coal–pyrite, when its carbon atom substitutes the iron and sulfur atoms in the sulfur and iron vacancies, are significantly higher than those of the perfect pyrite, indicating that coal–pyrite has potential for application in the field of photovoltaic materials. When carbon is doped in the sulfur vacancy, this impurity state reduces the width of the forbidden band; with the increase in the doping concentration, the width of the forbidden band decreases and the visible-light absorption coefficient increases. The distribution of carbon impurities impacts the band gap but has almost no effect on the light absorption coefficient, complex dielectric function, and reflectivity, indicating that the application of coal–pyrite to photovoltaic materials should mainly consider the carbon doping concentration instead of the distribution of carbon impurities. The research results provide a theoretical reference for the application of coal–pyrite in the field of photoelectric materials.

Electron Diffraction Study of α-AlMnSi Crystals Along Non-Crystallographic Zone Axes

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 2279-2303 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Song ◽  
L. A. Bursill
Keyword(s):  
Electron Diffraction ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Group Symmetry ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Quasicrystalline Phase ◽  
Thickness Variation ◽  
Crystal Thickness ◽  
Space Group Symmetry ◽  
Space Group ◽  
Diffraction Patterns

The structure of crystalline α-AlMnSi is examined by electron diffraction. Six distinct zone axes are examined, including both normal crystallographic and non-crystallographic zone axes, allowing the space group symmetry of α-AlMnSi to be studied. A method for indexing the non-crystallographic zone axis diffraction patterns, which involve reflections from several nearby crystallographic zone axes, is described and applied to electron diffraction patterns of the quasi-5-fold, 3-fold and 2-fold axes of the icosahedral building units of cubic α-AlMnSi. These are compared with electron diffraction patterns from the corresponding 5-fold, 3-fold and 2-fold axes of the quasicrystalline phase i-AlMnSi, from which we may make some conclusions concerning the occupancies of the icosahedral units in i-AlMnSi. Electron diffraction patterns characteristic of [Formula: see text] were obtained for thicker specimens. However, for thin specimens, as used for HRTEM imaging, the electron diffraction patterns were characteristic of [Formula: see text] space group symmetry. This unusual behaviour arises because the structural basis for the [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] phase transition is a weak effect, involving changes in occupancy of the icosahedral structural elements located at the corners (double-MacKay icosahedra) and body-centers (MacKay icosahedra) of the cubic unit cell. The effects of changing the occupancies of the outer shells of the MI and DMI structural units on the diffraction intensities of the weak reflections were examined. Thus, calculation of the dynamical diffraction amplitudes shows that in fact the weak reflections characteristic of [Formula: see text] only develop sufficient intensity if two conditions are satisfied: namely (1) the crystal thickness exceeds approx. 50 nm and (2) if a significant proportion of [Formula: see text] occupancies are included in the structural model. By fitting the observed thickness variation of the diffraction intensities we propose a new set of occupancies for α-AlMnSi, which is consistent with the electron, X-ray and neutron diffraction data.

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