bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
At least two Fc Neu5Gc residues of monoclonal antibodies are required for binding to anti-Neu5Gc antibody
Authors: Yu Chuanfei , Gao Kai , Zhu Lei , Wang Wenbo , Wang Lan , Zhang Feng , Liu Chunyu , Li Meng , Wormald Mark R. , Rudd Pauline M. , Wang Junzhi
Published: January 2016

Two non-human glycan epitopes, galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal) and Neu5Gc-α-2-6-galactose (Neu5Gc) have been shown to be antigenic when attached to Fab oligosaccharides of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) , while α-gal attached to Fc glycans was not. However, the antigenicity of Neu5Gc on the Fc glycans remains unclear in the context that most mAbs carry only Fc glycans. After studying two clinical mAbs carrying significant amounts of Fc Neu5Gc, we show that their binding activity with anti-Neu5Gc antibody resided in a small subset of mAbs carrying two or more Fc Neu5Gc, while mAbs harboring only one Neu5Gc showed no reactivity. Since most Neu5Gc epitopes were distributed singly on the Fc of mAbs, our results suggest that the potential antigenicity of Fc Neu5Gc is low. Our study could be referenced in the process design and optimization of mAb production in murine myeloma cells and in the quality control of mAbs for industries and regulatory authorities.
Very-low and low-density lipoproteins induce neutral lipid accumulation and impair migration in monocyte subsets
Authors: Jackson William D. , Weinrich Tobias W. , Woollard Kevin J.
Published: January 2016

Blood monocytes are heterogeneous effector cells of the innate immune system. In circulation these cells are constantly in contact with lipid-rich lipoproteins, yet this interaction is poorly characterised. Our aim was to examine the functional effect of hyperlipidaemia on blood monocytes. In the Ldlr−/− mouse monocytes rapidly accumulate cytoplasmic neutral lipid vesicles during hyperlipidaemia. Functional analysis in vivo revealed impaired monocyte chemotaxis towards peritonitis following high fat diet due to retention of monocytes in the greater omentum. In vitro assays using human monocytes confirmed neutral lipid vesicle accumulation after exposure to LDL or VLDL. Neutral lipid accumulation did not inhibit phagocytosis, endothelial adhesion, intravascular crawling and transmigration. However, lipid loading led to a migratory defect towards C5a and disruption of cytoskeletal rearrangement, including an inhibition of RHOA signaling. These data demonstrate distinct effects of hyperlipidaemia on the chemotaxis and cytoskeletal regulation of monocyte subpopulations. These data emphasise the functional consequences of blood monocyte lipid accumulation and reveal important implications for treating inflammation, infection and atherosclerosis in the context of dyslipidaemia.
Ground state potential energy surfaces around selected atoms from resonant inelastic x-ray scattering
Authors: Schreck Simon , Pietzsch Annette , Kennedy Brian , Såthe Conny , Miedema Piter S. , Techert Simone , Strocov Vladimir N. , Schmitt Thorsten , Hennies Franz , Rubensson Jan-Erik , Föhlisch Alexander
Published: January 2016

Thermally driven chemistry as well as materials’ functionality are determined by the potential energy surface of a systems electronic ground state. This makes the potential energy surface a central and powerful concept in physics, chemistry and materials science. However, direct experimental access to the potential energy surface locally around atomic centers and to its long-range structure are lacking. Here we demonstrate how sub-natural linewidth resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering at vibrational resolution is utilized to determine ground state potential energy surfaces locally and detect long-range changes of the potentials that are driven by local modifications. We show how the general concept is applicable not only to small isolated molecules such as O2 but also to strongly interacting systems such as the hydrogen bond network in liquid water. The weak perturbation to the potential energy surface through hydrogen bonding is observed as a trend towards softening of the ground state potential around the coordinating atom. The instrumental developments in high resolution resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering are currently accelerating and will enable broad application of the presented approach. With this multidimensional potential energy surfaces that characterize collective phenomena such as (bio)molecular function or high-temperature superconductivity will become accessible in near future.
Lasing in Bose-Fermi mixtures
Authors: Kochereshko Vladimir P. , Durnev Mikhail V. , Besombes Lucien , Mariette Henri , Sapega Victor F. , Askitopoulos Alexis , Savenko Ivan G. , Liew Timothy C. H. , Shelykh Ivan A. , Platonov Alexey V. , Tsintzos Simeon I. , Hatzopoulos Z. , Savvidis Pavlos G. , Kalevich Vladimir K. , Afanasiev Mikhail M. , Lukoshkin Vladimir A. , Schneider Christian , Amthor Matthias , Metzger Christian , Kamp Martin , Hoefling Sven , Lagoudakis Pavlos , Kavokin Alexey
Published: January 2016

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, well-known for revolutionising photonic science, has been realised primarily in fermionic systems including widely applied diode lasers. The prerequisite for fermionic lasing is the inversion of electronic population, which governs the lasing threshold. More recently, bosonic lasers have also been developed based on Bose-Einstein condensates of exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities. These electrically neutral bosons coexist with charged electrons and holes. In the presence of magnetic fields, the charged particles are bound to their cyclotron orbits, while the neutral exciton-polaritons move freely. We demonstrate how magnetic fields affect dramatically the phase diagram of mixed Bose-Fermi systems, switching between fermionic lasing, incoherent emission and bosonic lasing regimes in planar and pillar microcavities with optical and electrical pumping. We collected and analyzed the data taken on pillar and planar microcavity structures at continuous wave and pulsed optical excitation as well as injecting electrons and holes electronically. Our results evidence the transition from a Bose gas to a Fermi liquid mediated by magnetic fields and light-matter coupling.
Naturally occurring proteinaceous nanoparticles in Coptidis Rhizoma extract act as concentration-dependent carriers that facilitate berberine absorption
Authors: Ma Bing-Liang , Yin Chun , Zhang Bo-Kai , Dai Yan , Jia Yi-Qun , Yang Yan , Li Qiao , Shi Rong , Wang Tian-Ming , Wu Jia-Sheng , Li Yuan-Yuan , Lin Ge , Ma Yue-Ming
Published: January 2016

Pharmacological activities of some natural products diminish and even disappear after purification. In this study, we explored the mechanisms underlying the decrease of acute oral toxicity of Coptidis Rhizoma extract after purification. The water solubility, in vitro absorption and plasma exposure of berberine (the major active compound) in the Coptidis Rhizoma extract were much better than those of pure berberine. Scanning electron microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and dynamic light scattering experiments confirmed that nanoparticles attached to very fine precipitates existed in the aqueous extract solution. The LSCM experiment showed that the precipitates were absorbed with the particles by the mouse intestine. High-speed centrifugation of the extract could not remove the nanoparticles and did not influence plasma exposure or acute oral toxicity. However, after extract dilution, the attached precipitates vanished, although the nanoparticles were preserved and there were no differences in the acute oral toxicity and plasma exposure between the extract and pure berberine. The nanoparticles were then purified and identified as proteinaceous. Furthermore, they could absorb co-dissolved berberine. Our results indicate that naturally occurring proteinaceous nanoparticles in Coptidis Rhizoma extract act as concentration-dependent carriers that facilitate berberine absorption. These findings should inspire related studies in other natural products.
Uricase alkaline enzymosomes with enhanced stabilities and anti-hyperuricemia effects induced by favorable microenvironmental changes
Authors: Zhou Yunli , Zhang Mi , He Dan , Hu Xueyuan , Xiong Huarong , Wu Jianyong , Zhu Biyue , Zhang Jingqing
Published: January 2016

Enzyme therapy is an effective strategy to treat diseases. Three strategies were pursued to provide the favorable microenvironments for uricase (UCU) to eventually improve its features: using the right type of buffer to constitute the liquid media where catalyze reactions take place; entrapping UCU inside the selectively permeable lipid vesicle membranes; and entrapping catalase together with UCU inside the membranes. The nanosized alkaline enzymosomes containing UCU/(UCU and catalase) (ESU/ESUC) in bicine buffer had better thermal, hypothermal, acid-base and proteolytic stabilities, in vitro and in vivo kinetic characteristics, and uric acid lowering effects. The favorable microenvironments were conducive to the establishment of the enzymosomes with superior properties. It was the first time that two therapeutic enzymes were simultaneously entrapped into one enzymosome having the right type of buffer to achieve added treatment efficacy. The development of ESU/ESUC in bicine buffer provides valuable tactics in hypouricemic therapy and enzymosomal application.
Enhanced film thickness for Néel wall in soft magnetic film by introducing strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy
Authors: Xu Fei , Wang Tao , Ma Tianyong , Wang Ying , Zhu Shimeng , Li Fashen
Published: January 2016

This study investigated the magnetic domain walls in a single-layer soft magnetic film with strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy. The soft magnetic film is composed of a highly c-axis-oriented hcp-Co81Ir19 alloy with strong negative magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The domain structure of the soft Co81Ir19 films with thickness ranging from 50–230 nm in a demagnetization state was observed through magnetic force microscopy and Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. Results reveal that the critical transition thickness at which the domain wall changes from Néel type to Bloch type is about 138 nm, which is much larger than the critical value of traditional Fe- and Co-based soft magnetic films with negligible magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Theoretical calculation was also performed and the calculated result agrees well with experimental data.
WISP1 mediates hepatic warm ischemia reperfusion injury via TLR4 signaling in mice
Authors: Tong Yao , Ding Xi-Bing , Chen Zhi-Xia , Jin Shu-Qing , Zhao Xiang , Wang Xin , Mei Shu-Ya , Jiang Xi , Wang Lingyu , Li Quan
Published: January 2016

Wnt-induced secreted protein-1 (WISP1) is an extracellular matrix protein that has been reported in cancer researches. Our previous studies on WISP1 implied it could be a harmful mediator in septic mice. However, its role in liver ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is unknown. This study investigated the effects of WISP1 on liver I/R damage. Male C57BL/6 wild-type mice were used to undergo 60 min segmental (70%) ischemia. WISP1 expression was measured after indicated time points of reperfusion. Anti-WISP1 antibody was injected intraperitoneally to mice. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) knockout mice and TIR-domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF) knockout mice were adopted in this study. WISP1 was significantly enhanced after 6 h of reperfusion when compared with sham treated mice and significantly decreased either by TLR4 knockout mice or TRIF knockout mice. Anti-WISP1 antibody significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), pathological changes and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the mice following I/R. Furthermore, significantly increased serum transaminase levels were found in C57 wild-type mice treated with recombinant WISP1 protein, but not found in TLR4 knockout or TRIF knockout mice subjected to liver I/R. Taken together, WISP1 might contribute to hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury in mice and possibly depends on TLR4/TRIF signaling.
A metasurface carpet cloak for electromagnetic, acoustic and water waves
Authors: Yang Yihao , Wang Huaping , Yu Faxin , Xu Zhiwei , Chen Hongsheng
Published: January 2016

We propose a single low-profile skin metasurface carpet cloak to hide objects with arbitrary shape and size under three different waves, i.e., electromagnetic (EM) waves, acoustic waves and water waves. We first present a metasurface which can control the local reflection phase of these three waves. By taking advantage of this metasurface, we then design a metasurface carpet cloak which provides an additional phase to compensate the phase distortion introduced by a bump, thus restoring the reflection waves as if the incident waves impinge onto a flat mirror. The finite element simulation results demonstrate that an object can be hidden under these three kinds of waves with a single metasurface cloak.
Fullerene peapod nanoparticles as an organic semiconductor–electrode interface layer
Authors: Ren Jing M. , Subbiah Jegadesan , Zhang Bolong , Ishitake Kenji , Satoh Kotaro , Kamigaito Masami , Qiao Greg G. , Wong Edgar H. H. , Wong Wallace W. H.
Published: January 2016

Fullerene peapod nanoparticles as a novel electrode interface layer lead to enhanced performance in organic solar cells.
Biophysical evaluation of protein structural flexibility for ligand biorecognition in solid solution
Authors: Ding Fei , Peng Wei
Published: January 2016

The structural flexibility of biomolecules may have a large influence on ligand–receptor recognition.
Luminescent organoboron ladder compounds via directed electrophilic aromatic C–H borylation
Authors: Yusuf Mayyadah , Liu Kanglei , Guo Fang , Lalancette Roger A. , Jäkle Frieder
Published: January 2016

Regioselective electrophilic borylation of a pyridyl-flanked fluorene provides highly luminescent, air-stable boron-bridged ladder species.
Laser ablation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry focusing on bioimaging from elemental distribution using MatLab software: a practical guide
Authors: de S. Pessôa Gustavo , Capelo-Martínez José L. , Fdez-Riverola Florentino , López-Fernández Hugo , Glez-Peña Daniel , Reboiro-Jato Miguel , Arruda Marco A. Z.
Published: January 2016

We discuss LA-ICP-MS in imaging elemental distribution.
Neural probe combining microelectrodes and a droplet-based microdialysis collection system for high temporal resolution sampling
Authors: Petit-Pierre Guillaume , Bertsch Arnaud , Renaud Philippe
Published: January 2016

A minimally invasive neural probe combining microelectrodes and a droplet collection system demonstrating high temporal resolution sampling.
Interactions of the products of oxidative polymerization of hydroquinone as catalyzed by birnessite with Fe (hydr)oxides – an implication of the reactive pathway for humic substance formation
Authors: Chang R. R. , Wang S. L. , Liu Y. T. , Chan Y. T. , Hung J. T. , Tzou Y. M. , Tseng K. J.
Published: January 2016

In this study, we aimed to determine the products of oxidative polymerization of hydroquinone with and without catalysis by birnessite, and investigate the adsorption kinetics of the HQs on Fe (hydr)oxides upon their formation.
Antioxidant activity of 1-hydroxy-1-norresistomycin derived from Streptomyces variabilis KP149559 and evaluation of its toxicity against zebra fish Danio rerio
Authors: Ramalingam V. , Rajaram R.
Published: January 2016

Extraction of bioactive compounds from marine actinomycetes and its antimicrobial activity.
An electrokinetic-combined electrochemical study of the glucose electro-oxidation reaction: effect of gold surface energy
Authors: Arjona N. , Trejo G. , Ledesma-García J. , Arriaga L. G. , Guerra-Balcázar M.
Published: January 2016

Electrokinetic analysis demonstrates the effect of glucose adsorption on gold surfaces in the glucose electro-oxidation mechanism.
Solvate ionic liquid electrolyte with 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether as a support solvent for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Lu Hai , Yuan Yan , Hou Zhenzhong , Lai Yanqing , Zhang Kai , Liu Yexiang
Published: January 2016

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether (TFTFE) was used as a support solvent of solvate ionic liquid (SIL) for lithium-sulfur battery. The fluorinated ether improves the cell performance remarkably.
Hybrid urethanesil coatings for inorganic surfaces produced by isocyanate-free and sol–gel routes: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Rossi de Aguiar K. M. F. , Ferreira-Neto E. P. , Blunk S. , Schneider J. F. , Picon C. A. , Lepienski C. M. , Rischka K. , Rodrigues-Filho U. P.
Published: January 2016

Novel hybrid poly(dimethylsiloxane) urethanesils produced by CO2 fixation present multifunctional properties for metallic and inorganic surfaces.
Regulable switching from p- to n-type behavior of ordered nanoporous Pt-SnO2 thin films with enhanced room temperature toluene sensing performance
Authors: Shao Shaofeng , Wu Hongyan , Jiang Fan , Wang Shimin , Wu Tao , Lei Yating , Koehn Ralf , Rao Wei-Feng
Published: January 2016

In this work, a nanoporous SnO2 sensing film is fabricated in situ on a sensing device using a block polymer template and is applied as a chemiresistive gas sensor. The ordered film is capable of detecting 10 ppm toluene at room temperature and shows good stability.
Bio-oil production from eight selected green landscaping wastes through hydrothermal liquefaction
Authors: Cao Leichang , Luo Gang , Zhang Shicheng , Chen Jianmin
Published: January 2016

This study investigated the potential of eight types of green landscaping waste as feedstock to produce bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL).
Improving the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) with a novel nanorod-shaped hybrid flame retardant
Authors: Cao Yu , Ju Yaqing , Liao Fenghui , Jin Xiaoxun , Dai Xiu , Li Jiawei , Wang Xinlong
Published: January 2016

A novel nanorod-shaped hybrid flame retardant (NRH-FR) was synthesized by the reaction of benzenephosphinic acid with powdery aluminium hydroxide and the PLA/NRH-FR nanocomposites with good flame retardancy and mechanical property were prepared.
Human serum albumin (HSA) coated liposomal indocyanine green for in vivo tumor imaging
Authors: Chen Siqin , Yu Gongjie , Zhang Bo , Wang Yinsong , Zhang Ning , Chen Yan
Published: January 2016

In this study, a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanoprobe based on indocyanine green (ICG) was synthesized.
A study on mediating the crystallization behavior of PBT through intermolecular hydrogen-bonding
Authors: Shen Zhiyuan , Luo Faliang , Bai Hongcun , Si Pengfei , Lei Xiaomei , Ding Shengfang , Ji Lijie
Published: January 2016

The intermolecular hydrogen-bonding formed between PBT and TDP can efficiently mediate the crystallization behavior of PBT.
An experimental and computational study to resolve the composition of dolomitic lime
Authors: Grant J. , Pesce G. L. , Ball R. J. , Molinari M. , Parker S. C.
Published: January 2016

Dolomite phase separates during calcination suggesting enhanced properties of its mortars might be artificially produced by mixing fine powdered hydroxides.
Determination of three fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) and their migration research in food contact plastic packaging containers and food simulants by UPLC-MS/MS method
Authors: Wu Zhijiang , Xu Yansheng , Li Mianchang , Guo Xindong , Xian Yanping , Dong Hao
Published: January 2016

A sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to determine three fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) (FWA184, 368 and 393) in migration solutions of food contact plastic packaging containers based on the migration tests using food stimulants.
Bipyridine type Co-complexes as hole-transporting material dopants in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Ye Jiajiu , Zhou Li , Zhu Liangzheng , Zhang Xuhui , Shao Zhipeng , Pan Xu , Dai Songyan
Published: January 2016

This work focuses on preparing a series of substituted bipyridine cobalt complexes as HTM dopants using a co-solvent of dichloroethane and acetylacetone as the HTM solvent, achieving an optimal power conversion efficiency of 14.91%.
Graphene oxide/carbon nanotubes–Fe3O4 supported Pd nanoparticles for hydrogenation of nitroarenes and C–H activation
Authors: Yang Fan , Feng Andong , Wang Chunxia , Dong Sen , Chi Cheng , Jia Xilai , Zhang Liqiang , Li Yongfeng
Published: January 2016

The GO/CNT–Fe3O4 support Pd nanoparticles are synthesized by the gas–liquid interfacial plasma method. The catalysts exhibit remarkable catalytic activity during the hydrogenation of nitroarenes and C–H functionalization.
Determination of ultra-trace catecholamines based on hot electron-induced cathodic electrochemiluminescence at a naturally oxide-covered tantalum electrode
Authors: Chen Xiao-Yan , Zheng Rui-Juan , Ren Ling-Qing , Sun Jian-Jun
Published: January 2016

A naturally oxide-covered tantalum electrode is firstly used in the detection of ultra-trace catecholamines based on hot electron-induced cathodic electrochemiluminescence with extremely low background, excellent sensitivity and perfect stability.
Nanostructured Si@C/NiCo2O4heterostructures for a high performance supercapacitor
Authors: Guo Jing , Dai Ziyang , Zang Xiaoxian , Si Weili , Huang Wei , Dong Xiaochen
Published: January 2016

As the second most abundant element on the earth, silicon exhibits excellent properties in many fields.
Effect of fulvic acids with different characteristics on biological denitrification
Authors: Li Mu , Chen Yinguang , Su Yinglong , Wan Rui , Zheng Xiong
Published: January 2016

Fulvic acids with different molecular structures pose different effect on microbial denitrificationviacarbon source utilization and enzyme activity.
Simulations of cellulose translocation in the bacterial cellulose synthase suggest a regulatory mechanism for the dimeric structure of cellulose
Authors: Knott Brandon C. , Crowley Michael F. , Himmel Michael E. , Zimmer Jochen , Beckham Gregg T.
Published: January 2016

In addition to suggesting a mechanism for regulating cellulose structure, molecular simulations indicate translocation is not rate-limiting for cellulose biosynthesis.
Palladium-catalyzed phosphonyldifluoromethylation of alkenes with bromodifluoromethylphosphonate
Authors: Feng Zhang , Xiao Yu-Lan , Zhang Xingang
Published: January 2016

An efficient palladium-catalyzed phosphonyldifluoromethylation of alkenes with bromodifluoromethylphosophonate is described. The method provides a facile access to a series of phosphonyldifluoromethylated alkenes that are of interest in medicinal chemistry. Mechanistic studies reveal that a phosphonyl difluouromethyl radical is involved in the reaction.
Unravelling the complex drug–drug interactions of the cardiovascular drugs, verapamil and digoxin, with P-glycoprotein
Authors: Ledwitch Kaitlyn V. , Barnes Robert W. , Roberts Arthur G.
Published: January 2016

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and associated toxicity from cardiovascular drugs represents a major problem for effective co-administration of cardiovascular therapeutics. A significant amount of drug toxicity from DDIs occurs because of drug interactions and multiple cardiovascular drug binding to the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp), which is particularly problematic for cardiovascular drugs because of their relatively low therapeutic indexes. The calcium channel antagonist, verapamil and the cardiac glycoside, digoxin, exhibit DDIs with Pgp through non-competitive inhibition of digoxin transport, which leads to elevated digoxin plasma concentrations and digoxin toxicity. In the present study, verapamil-induced ATPase activation kinetics were biphasic implying at least two verapamil-binding sites on Pgp, whereas monophasic digoxin activation of Pgp-coupled ATPase kinetics suggested a single digoxin-binding site. Using intrinsic protein fluorescence and the saturation transfer double difference (STDD) NMR techniques to probe drug–Pgp interactions, verapamil was found to have little effect on digoxin–Pgp interactions at low concentrations of verapamil, which is consistent with simultaneous binding of the drugs and non-competitive inhibition. Higher concentrations of verapamil caused significant disruption of digoxin–Pgp interactions that suggested overlapping and competing drug-binding sites. These interactions correlated to drug-induced conformational changes deduced from acrylamide quenching of Pgp tryptophan fluorescence. Also, Pgp-coupled ATPase activity kinetics measured with a range of verapamil and digoxin concentrations fit well to a DDI model encompassing non-competitive and competitive inhibition of digoxin by verapamil. The results and previous transport studies were combined into a comprehensive model of verapamil–digoxin DDIs encompassing drug binding, ATP hydrolysis, transport and conformational changes.
Short‐term operational planning framework for virtual power plants with high renewable penetrations
Authors: Luo Fengji , Dong Zhao Yang , Meng Ke , Qiu Jing , Yang Jiajia , Wong Kit Po
Published: January 2016

This study proposes a two‐stage operational planning framework for the short‐term operation of the virtual power plant (VPP). In the first stage, a stochastic bidding model is proposed for the VPP to optimise the bids in the energy market, with the objective to maximise its expected economic profit. The imbalance costs of the VPP are considered in the bidding model. In the second stage, a model predictive control (MPC)‐based dispatch model is proposed to optimise the real‐time control actions. In the real‐time dispatch model, the real‐time information of the resources is continuously updated, and the deviations between the actual energy output and the contracted energy over the MPC control horizon are minimised. The simulation results prove the efficiencies of the proposed method.
Effective Hamiltonian and excitation spectrum of harmonically trapped bosons
Authors: Rovenchak Andrij
Published: January 2016

An approach is proposed to obtain an effective Hamiltonian of a harmonically trapped Bose-system. Such a Hamiltonian is quadratic in the creation–annihilation operators and certain approximations allow to simplify higher (three and four operator) products to the required form. After the Hamiltonian diagonalization, the expression for the excitation spectrum is obtained containing in particular temperature-dependent corrections. Numerical calculations are made for a one-dimensional system. Some prospects towards the extension of the suggested approach to study binary bosonic mixtures are briefly discussed.
Hydrodynamic instability and shear layer effects in turbulent premixed combustion
Authors: Schlimpert S. , Feldhusen A. , Grimmen J. H. , Roidl B. , Meinke M. , Schröder W.
Published: January 2016

A turbulent premixed plane jet flame is analyzed by large-eddy simulations. The analysis shows that the flame front wrinkling is strongly influenced by the shear layer effect when the gas expansion effects are small leading to larger flame front amplitudes at the flame base than at high gas expansion ratios. However, the hydrodynamic instability effect induces a continuously increasing flame front amplitude which yields an enhanced flame pocket generation at the flame tip. Both phenomena influence the magnitude of the turbulent burning area and burning area rate response through the flame front deflections which are determined by the contribution coefficient. This coefficient represents the mutual interaction between the flame and the flow. At low gas expansion ratios, the total heat release rate spectra of the turbulent flame are wider in terms of dominant modes at Strouhal numbers which are linked to the mean flame height oscillations. Thus, at low gas expansion ratios, the vortex-flame interaction is less damped by the flame in the sense that vortices can perturb the flame front stronger. The total heat release rate trend of St−2.2 previously found for a round jet flame is also determined for the current slot jet at realistic gas expansion ratios indicating a general tendency to transfer energy from large to small flame structures. At high gas expansion ratios, an increasing Markstein length leads to an energy transfer between neighboring dominant modes in the low frequency range 1 < St < 10 and the burning area rate response becomes more important for the total heat release rate spectra of the turbulent slot flames which agrees with recent findings for a laminar premixed plane flame.
Current-voltage characteristics of Corbino disks under quantum Hall effect conditions
Authors: Shikin V.
Published: January 2016

This is a discussion of the details of the current-voltage characteristics of a 2D Corbino disk with a uniform density of mobile carriers in the quantum Hall effect plateau. It is shown that diffusion may be one of the reasons for the variety of observed current-voltage characteristics. The anomalous role of diffusion in the formation of the current-voltage characteristics of Corbino disks is determined by the dimensionality of the problem, as well as by the “quality” of the density of states of the magnetized 2D conducting system. The diffusion hypothesis is applied to some specific results and provides an explanation of the difference between the current-voltage characteristics shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Features of the electronic structure of the ternary superconductors RRh4B4 (R = Y, Lu)
Authors: Grechnev G. E. , Logosha A. V. , Panfilov A. S. , Zhuravleva I. P. , Lyogenkaya A. A.
Published: January 2016

The electronic structure and a number of thermodynamic characteristics of the ternary RRh4B4 (R = Y, Lu) systems of superconductors in the normal phase are calculated from first principles. The electronic states and interactions responsible for the superconducting and magnetic properties of these systems are analyzed. It is found that the Fermi level in the compounds YRh4B4 and LuRh4B4 is immediately adjacent to a peak in the density of electronic states and about 1 eV above a pseudogap in the electronic spectrum. The existence of a number of groups of quasi-degenerate electronic states with low effective masses near the Fermi level is revealed. These states may be the cause of a significant diamagnetic contribution of the conduction electrons to the magnetic susceptibility and may be responsible for the strong temperature dependence of the susceptibility in the rhodium borides.
Quantum oscillations of the Bloch point in domain walls of magnetic bubbles
Authors: Shevchenko A. B. , Barabash M. Yu.
Published: January 2016

It is shown that quantum oscillations of the Bloch point in the domain walls of cylindrical magnetic domains occur at low temperatures. The conditions for this phenomenon are established.
Absorption spectroscopy of heavy alkaline earth metals Ba and Sr in rare gas matrices—CCSD(T) calculations and atomic site occupancies
Authors: Davis Barry M. , McCaffrey John G.
Published: January 2016

Isolation of the heavier alkaline earth metals Ba and Sr in the solid rare gases (RGs) Ar, Kr, and Xe is analysed with absorption spectroscopy and interpreted partly with the assistance of ab initio calculations of the diatomic M ⋅ RG ground state interaction potentials. The y1P←a1S resonance transitions in the visible spectral region are used to compare the isolation conditions of these two metal atom systems and calcium. Complex absorption bands were recorded in all three metal atom systems even after extensive sample annealing. Coupled cluster calculations conducted on the ground states of the nine M ⋅ RG diatomics (M = Ca, Sr, and Ba; RG = Ar, Kr, and Xe) at the coupled cluster single, double, and non-iterative triple level of theory revealed long bond lengths (>5 Å) and shallow bound regions (<130 cm−1). All of the M ⋅ RG diatomics have bond lengths considerably longer than those of the rare gas dimers, with the consequence that isolation of these metal atoms in a single substitutional site of the solid rare gas is unlikely, with the possible exception of Ca/Xe. The luminescence of metal dimer bands has been recorded for Ba and Sr revealing very different behaviours. Resonance fluorescence with a lifetime of 15 ns is observed for the lowest energy transition of Sr2 while this transition is quenched in Ba2. This behaviour is consistent with the absence of vibrational structure on the dimer absorption band in Ba2 indicating lifetime broadening arising from efficient relaxation to low-lying molecular states. More extensive 2D excitation-emission data recorded for the complex site structures present on the absorption bands of the atomic Ba and Sr systems will be presented in future publications.
Influence of intermediate layers on the surface condition of laser crystallized silicon thin films and solar cell performance
Authors: Höger Ingmar , Himmerlich Marcel , Gawlik Annett , Brückner Uwe , Krischok Stefan , Andrä Gudrun
Published: January 2016

The intermediate layer (IL) between glass substrate and silicon plays a significant role in the optimization of multicrystalline liquid phase crystallized silicon thin film solar cells on glass. This study deals with the influence of the IL on the surface condition and the required chemical surface treatment of the crystallized silicon (mc-Si), which is of particular interest for a-Si:H heterojunction thin film solar cells. Two types of IL were investigated: sputtered silicon nitride (SiN) and a layer stack consisting of silicon nitride and silicon oxide (SiN/SiO). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements revealed the formation of silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy) or silicon oxide (SiO2) layers at the surface of the mc-Si after liquid phase crystallization on SiN or SiN/SiO, respectively. We propose that SiOxNy formation is governed by dissolving nitrogen from the SiN layer in the silicon melt, which segregates at the crystallization front during crystallization. This process is successfully hindered, when additional SiO layers are introduced into the IL. In order to achieve solar cell open circuit voltages above 500 mV, a removal of the formed SiOxNy top layer is required using sophisticated cleaning of the crystallized silicon prior to a-Si:H deposition. However, solar cells crystallized on SiN/SiO yield high open circuit voltage even when a simple wet chemical surface treatment is applied. The implementation of SiN/SiO intermediate layers facilitates the production of mesa type solar cells with open circuit voltages above 600 mV and a power conversion efficiency of 10%.
Comparison of junctionless and inversion-mode p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors in presence of hole-phonon interactions
Authors: Dib E. , Carrillo-Nuñez H. , Cavassilas N. , Bescond M.
Published: January 2016

Junctionless transistors are being considered as one of the alternatives to conventional metal-oxide field-effect transistors. In this work, it is then presented a simulation study of silicon double-gated p-type junctionless transistors compared with its inversion-mode counterpart. The quantum transport problem is solved within the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism, whereas hole-phonon interactions are tackled by means of the self-consistent Born approximation. Our findings show that junctionless transistors should perform as good as a conventional transistor only for ultra-thin channels, with the disadvantage of requiring higher supply voltages in thicker channel configurations.
Dimensional crossover of electron weak localization in ZnO/TiOx stacked layers grown by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Saha D. , Misra P. , Bhartiya S. , Gupta M. , Joshi M. P. , Kukreja L. M.
Published: January 2016

We report on the dimensional crossover of electron weak localization in ZnO/TiOx stacked layers having well-defined and spatially-localized Ti dopant profiles along film thickness. These films were grown by in situ incorporation of sub-monolayer TiOx on the growing ZnO film surface and subsequent overgrowth of thin conducting ZnO spacer layer using atomic layer deposition. Film thickness was varied in the range of ∼6–65 nm by vertically stacking different numbers (n = 1–7) of ZnO/TiOx layers of nearly identical dopant-profiles. The evolution of zero-field sheet resistance (R◻) versus temperature with decreasing film thickness showed a metal to insulator transition. On the metallic side of the metal-insulator transition, R◻(T) and magnetoresistance data were found to be well corroborated with the theoretical framework of electron weak localization in the diffusive transport regime. The temperature dependence of both R◻ and inelastic scattering length provided strong evidence for a smooth crossover from 2D to 3D weak localization behaviour. Results of this study provide deeper insight into the electron transport in low-dimensional n-type ZnO/TiOx stacked layers which have potential applications in the field of transparent oxide electronics.
Note: An X-ray powder diffractometer with a wide scattering-angle range of 72° using asymmetrically positioned one-dimensional detectors
Authors: Katsuya Yoshio , Song Chulho , Tanaka Masahiko , Ito Kimihiko , Kubo Yoshimi , Sakata Osami
Published: January 2016

An X-ray powder diffractometer has been developed for a time-resolved measurement without the requirement of a scattering angle (2θ) scan. Six one-dimensional detector modules are asymmetrically arranged in a vertical line at a designed distance of 286.5 mm. A detector module actually covers a diffraction angle of about 12° with an angular resolution of 0.01°. A diffracted intensity pattern is simultaneously recorded in a 2θ angular range from 1.63° to 74.37° in a “one shot” measurement. We tested the performance of the diffractometer with reference CeO2 powders and demonstrated diffraction measurements from an operating lithium-air battery.
Recombination processes in CuInS2/ZnS nanocrystals during steady-state photoluminescence
Authors: Sun Yue , Qian Chenjiang , Peng Kai , Bai Zelong , Tang Jing , Zhao Yanhui , Wu Shiyao , Ali Hassan , Song Feilong , Zhong Haizheng , Xu Xiulai
Published: January 2016

We report on a temperature- and excitation-power-dependent photoluminescence (PL) study of CuInS2/ZnS nanocrystals dispersed on a SiO2/Si substrate with a confocal micro-PL system. With increasing the excitation power at 22 K and room temperature, the PL spectra are blue-shifted because of the state filling. At low temperature, a small peak is observed at the low energy side of the spectrum, which could be due to the Förster resonance energy transfer between different nanocrystals. The integrated PL intensity increases sublinearly as a function of excitation power with a power factor of around 2/3, which demonstrates the Auger recombination dominated process in the nanocrystals, especially under the high excitation power.
Direct measurement of ambipolar diffusion in bulk silicon by ultrafast infrared imaging of laser-induced microplasmas
Authors: Mouskeftaras Alexandros , Chanal Margaux , Chambonneau Maxime , Clady Raphaël , Utéza Olivier , Grojo David
Published: January 2016

Carrier kinetics in the density range of N=1017−1020 cm−3 is investigated inside the bulk of crystalline silicon. Most conventional experimental techniques used to study carrier mobility are indirect and lack sensitivity because of charging effects and recombination on the surface. An all optical technique is used to overcome these obstacles. By focusing 1.3-μm femtosecond laser pulses in the volume, we inject an initial free-carrier population by two-photon absorption. Then, we use pump-and-probe infrared microscopy as a tool to obtain simultaneous measurements of the carrier diffusion and recombination dynamics in a microscale region deep inside the material. The rate equation model is used to simulate our experimental results. We report a constant ambipolar diffusion coefficient Da of 2.5 cm2 s−1 and an effective carrier lifetime τeff of 2.5 ns at room temperature. A discussion on our findings at these high-injection levels is presented.
Indium tin oxide refractometer in the visible and near infrared via lossy mode and surface plasmon resonances with Kretschmann configuration
Authors: Torres V. , Beruete M. , Sánchez P. , Del Villar I.
Published: January 2016

An indium tin oxide (ITO) refractometer based on the generation of lossy mode resonances (LMRs) and surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) is presented. Both LMRs and SPRs are excited, in a single setup, under grazing angle incidence with Kretschmann configuration in an ITO thin-film deposited on a glass slide. The sensing capabilities of the device are demonstrated using several solutions of glycerin and water with refractive indices ranging from 1.33 to 1.47. LMRs are excited in the visible range, from 617 nm to 682 nm under TE polarization and from 533 nm to 637 nm under TM polarization, with a maximum sensitivity of 700 nm/RIU and 1200 nm/RIU, respectively. For the SPRs, a sensing range between 1375 nm and 2494 nm with a maximum sensitivity of 8300 nm/RIU is measured under TM polarization. Experimental results are supported with numerical simulations based on a modification of the plane-wave method for a one-dimensional multilayer waveguide.
Engineering helimagnetism in MnSi thin films
Authors: Zhang S. L. , Chalasani R. , Baker A. A. , Steinke N.-J. , Figueroa A. I. , Kohn A. , van der Laan G. , Hesjedal T.
Published: January 2016

Magnetic skyrmion materials have the great advantage of a robust topological magnetic structure, which makes them stable against the superparamagnetic effect and therefore a candidate for the next-generation of spintronic memory devices. Bulk MnSi, with an ordering temperature of 29.5 K, is a typical skyrmion system with a propagation vector periodicity of ∼18 nm. One crucial prerequisite for any kind of application, however, is the observation and precise control of skyrmions in thin films at room-temperature. Strain in epitaxial MnSi thin films is known to raise the transition temperature to 43 K. Here we show, using magnetometry and x-ray spectroscopy, that the transition temperature can be raised further through proximity coupling to a ferromagnetic layer. Similarly, the external field required to stabilize the helimagnetic phase is lowered. Transmission electron microscopy with element-sensitive detection is used to explore the structural origin of ferromagnetism in these Mn-doped substrates. Our work suggests that an artificial pinning layer, not limited to the MnSi/Si system, may enable room temperature, zero-field skyrmion thin-film systems, thereby opening the door to device applications.
Fast fabrication of curved microlens array using DMD-based lithography
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Gao Yiqing , Luo Ningning , Zhong Kejun
Published: January 2016

Curved microlens array is the core element of the biologically inspired artificial compound eye. Many existing fabrication processes remain expensive and complicated, which limits a broad range of application of the artificial compound eye. In this paper, we report a fast fabrication method for curved microlens array by using DMD-based maskless lithography. When a three-dimensional (3D) target curved profile is projected into a two-dimensional (2D) mask, arbitrary curved microlens array can be flexibly and efficiently obtained by utilizing DMD-based lithography. In order to verify the feasibility of this method, a curved PDMS microlens array with 90 micro lenslets has been fabricated. The physical and optical characteristics of the fabricated microlens array suggest that this method is potentially suitable for applications in artificial compound eye.
Slip effects on unsteady non-Newtonian blood flow through an inclined catheterized overlapping stenotic artery
Authors: Zaman Akbar , Ali Nasir , Sajid M.
Published: January 2016

Slip effects on unsteady non-Newtonian blood hydro-magnetic flow through an inclined catheterized overlapping stenotic artery are analyzed. The constitutive equation of power law model is employed to simulate the rheological characteristics of the blood. The governing equations giving the flow derived by assuming the flow to be unsteady and two-dimensional. Mild stenosis approximation is employed to obtain the reduced form of the governing equations. Finite difference method is employed to obtain the solution of the non-linear partial differential equation in the presence of slip at the surface. An extensive quantitative analysis is performed for the effects of slip parameter, Hartmann number, cathetered parameter and arterial geometrical parameters of stenosis on the quantities of interest such as axial velocity, flow rate, resistance impedance and wall shear stress. The streamlines for the blood flow through the artery are also included.
Fully Si compatible SiN resistive switching memory with large self-rectification ratio
Authors: Kim Sungjun , Cho Seongjae , Park Byung-Gook
Published: January 2016

In this letter, we report unique unipolar resistive switching memory behaviors in the Ni/Si3N4/p-Si structure by controlling the impurity concentration of Si bottom electrode. It is found that we can decrease the reset current drastically by reducing dopant concentration by reducing dopant concentration, which helps low-power operation in the high density resistive switching memory array. Also, the samples with high impurity concentration exhibited ohmic conduction in the low-resistance state (LRS) while those with low dopant concentration below 1018 cm−3 showed a remarkable self-rectifying behavior. The nonlinear metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) diode characteristics in the samples with low doping concentration (∼1018 cm−3) are explained by the formation of Schottky barrier at the metal and semiconductor interface. As a result, we demonstrate high rectification ratio (>105) between forward and reverse currents along with the robust nonvolatile properties including endurance cycles and retention from the devices with large self-rectification ratio. The high self-rectifying characteristics of Si3N4-based RRAM cell would be one of the most virtuous merits in the high-density crossbar array.
The Chinese bread wheat cultivar Xiaoyanmai 7 harbours genes encoding a pair of novel high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits inherited from cereal rye
Authors: Feng Bo , Sestili Francesco , Masci Stefania , Margiotta Benedetta , Xu Zhibin , Yang Zujun , Xiang Chao , Zhou Chunhong , Lafiandra Domenico , Wang Tao
Published: January 2016

The high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) represent a major component of the endosperm storage protein in the grains of wheat and its related species. Their technological importance results from their ready formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds, which underlie much of the visco-elasticity displayed by gluten and hence the processing quality of the flour. Here, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis revealed that the Chinese wheat cultivar Xiaoyanmai 7 formed four distinct HMW-GS, two of which are likely the product of a known allele at the Glu-B1 locus, whereas the other two did not match any known HMW-GS. A combined analysis based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry confirmed that the two novel proteins were genuine HMW-GS. Inspection of the DNA sequences showed that one of the novel HMW-GS was encoded by an x-type and the other by a y-type secalin gene. A karyotypic analysis confirmed that six of the seven pairs of Xiaoyanmai 7’s D genome chromosomes (the exception was chromosome 2D) had been replaced by rye chromosomes. The y-type HMW secalin present in Xiaoyanmai 7 differed from the standard By and Dy HWM-GS by the presence of an additional cysteine residue in its C-terminal domain.