bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bias–selectable nBn dual–band long–/very long–wavelength infrared photodetectors based on InAs/InAs1−xSbx/AlAs1−xSbx type–II superlattices
Authors: Haddadi Abbas , Dehzangi Arash , Chevallier Romain , Adhikary Sourav , Razeghi Manijeh 
Published: June 2017

AbstractType–II superlattices (T2SLs) are a class of artificial semiconductors that have demonstrated themselves as a viable candidate to compete with the state–of–the–art mercury–cadmium–telluride material system in the field of infrared detection and imaging. Within type–II superlattices, InAs/InAs1−xSbx T2SLs have been shown to have a significantly longer minority carrier lifetime. However, demonstration of high–performance dual–band photodetectors based on InAs/InAs1−xSbx T2SLs in the long and very long wavelength infrared (LWIR & VLWIR) regimes remains challenging. We report the demonstration of high–performance bias–selectable dual–band long–wavelength infrared photodetectors based on new InAs/InAs1−xSbx/AlAs1−xSbx type–II superlattice design. Our design uses two different bandgap absorption regions separated by an electron barrier that blocks the transport of majority carriers to reduce the dark current density of the device. As the applied bias is varied, the device exhibits well–defined cut–off wavelengths of either ∼8.7 or ∼12.5 μm at 77 K. This bias–selectable dual–band photodetector is compact, with no moving parts, and will open new opportunities for multi–spectral LWIR and VLWIR imaging and detection.
Learning and Timing of Voluntary Blink Responses Match Eyeblink Conditioning
Authors: Rasmussen Anders , Jirenhed Dan-Anders 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCan humans produce well-timed blink responses to a neutral stimulus voluntarily, without receiving any blink-eliciting, unconditional, stimulus? And if they can, to what degree does classical eyeblink conditioning depend on volition? Here we show that voluntary blink responses learned in two paradigms that did not involve any unconditional blink-eliciting stimuli, display timing that is as good, or better than, the timing of blink responses learned in a standard eyeblink conditioning paradigm. The exceptional timing accuracy likely stems from the fact that, in contrast to previous studies, we challenged our participants to blink in a timed manner, and not merely to blink so as to avoid the corneal air puff. These results reveal a remarkable level of voluntary control over a simple movement, and they challenge the view that learning during eyeblink conditioning is necessarily automatic and involuntary.
Aberrant plasticity of peripheral sensory axons in a painful neuropathy
Authors: Hirai Takashi , Mulpuri Yatendra , Cheng Yanbing , Xia Zheng , Li Wei , Ruangsri Supanigar , Spigelman Igor , Nishimura Ichiro 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNeuronal cells express considerable plasticity responding to environmental cues, in part, through subcellular mRNA regulation. Here we report on the extensive changes in distribution of mRNAs in the cell body and axon compartments of peripheral sensory neurons and the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) landscapes after unilateral sciatic nerve entrapment (SNE) injury in rats. Neuronal cells dissociated from SNE-injured and contralateral L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia were cultured in a compartmentalized system. Axonal and cell body RNA samples were separately subjected to high throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The injured axons exhibited enrichment of mRNAs related to protein synthesis and nerve regeneration. Lengthening of 3′UTRs was more prevalent in the injured axons, including the newly discovered alternative cleavage and polyadenylation of NaV1.8 mRNA. Alternative polyadenylation was largely independent from the relative abundance of axonal mRNAs; but they were highly clustered in functional pathways related to RNA granule formation in the injured axons. These RNA-Seq data analyses indicate that peripheral nerve injury may result in highly selective mRNA enrichment in the affected axons with 3′UTR alterations potentially contributing to the mechanism of neuropathic pain.
Features of electron gas in InAs nanowires imposed by interplay between nanowire geometry, doping and surface states
Authors: Degtyarev V. E. , Khazanova S. V. , Demarina N. V. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe present a study of electron gas properties in InAs nanowires determined by interaction between nanowire geometry, doping and surface states. The electron gas density and space distribution are calculated via self-consistent solution of coupled Schroedinger and Poisson equations in the nanowires with a hexagonal cross-section. We show that the density of surface states and the nanowire width define the spatial distribution of the electrons. Three configurations can be distinguished, namely the electrons are localized in the center of the wire, or they are arranged in a uniform tubular distribution, or finally in a tubular distribution with additional electron accumulation at the corners of the nanowire. The latter one is dominating for most experimentally obtained nanowires. N-type doping partly suppresses electron accumulation at the nanowire corners. The electron density calculated for both, various nanowire widths and different positions of the Fermi level at the nanowire surface, is compared with the experimental data for intrinsic InAs nanowires. Suitable agreement is obtained by assuming a Fermi level pinning at 60 to 100 meV above the conduction band edge, leading to a tubular electron distribution with accumulation along the corners of the nanowire.
Identification of an in vivo orally active dual-binding protein-protein interaction inhibitor targeting TNFα through combined in silico/in vitro/in vivo screening
Authors: Mouhsine Hadley , Guillemain Hélène , Moreau Gabriel , Fourati Najla , Zerrouki Chouki , Baron Bruno , Desallais Lucille , Gizzi Patrick , Ben Nasr Nesrine , Perrier Julie , Ratsimandresy Rojo , Spadoni Jean-Louis , Do Hervé , England Patrick , Montes Matthieu , Zagury Jean-François 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTNFα is a homotrimeric pro-inflammatory cytokine, whose direct targeting by protein biotherapies has been an undeniable success for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Despite many efforts, no orally active drug targeting TNFα has been identified so far. In the present work, we identified through combined in silico/in vitro/in vivo approaches a TNFα direct inhibitor, compound 1, displaying nanomolar and micromolar range bindings to TNFα. Compound 1 inhibits the binding of TNFα with both its receptors TNFRI and TNFRII. Compound 1 inhibits the TNFα induced apoptosis on L929 cells and the TNFα induced NF-κB activation in HEK cells. In vivo, oral administration of compound 1 displays a significant protection in a murine TNFα-dependent hepatic shock model. This work illustrates the ability of low-cost combined in silico/in vitro/in vivo screening approaches to identify orally available small-molecules targeting challenging protein-protein interactions such as homotrimeric TNFα.
Investigation of Electric Field Induced Mixing in Silicon Micro Ring Resonators
Authors: De Leonardis Francesco , Soref Richard A. , Passaro Vittorio M. N. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this paper we present a detailed theoretical investigation of the electric field induced mixing effect, in which the up and down frequency-conversion processes are obtained by inducing an effective second order susceptibility via the periodic spatial distribution of reversed biased p-i-n junctions. The possibility of realizing a frequency generation process within an integrated microring resonator is demonstrated here, by simulations, in the silicon on insulator platform. Furthermore, general physical features have been investigated by means of a comparative analysis of the frequency generation performance as a function of the input pump power, the linear and nonlinear losses, and the coupling factors. A conversion efficiency of 627.5 %/W has been obtained for the second harmonic generation process. Therefore, an improvement of 4 to 50 times with respect to the straight waveguides is achieved, depending on the cavity ring radius. Finally, for the up/down conversion, from telecom idler to mid-IR and from Mid-IR to telecom signal, respectively, an efficiency of 85.9%/W and 454.4 %/W has been obtained in the silicon microring resonator, respectively.
Presence of caffeine reversibly interferes with efficacy of acupuncture-induced analgesia
Authors: Fujita Takumi , Feng Changyong , Takano Takahiro 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAcupuncture is an alternative treatment for wide spectrum chronic pain. However, its validity remains controversial due to the disputed efficacy assessed in various clinical studies. Moreover, variability amongst individuals complicates the predictability of outcome, which impedes the integration of acupuncture into mainstream pain management programs. In light of our previous finding that the analgesic effect of acupuncture is mediated by adenosine A1 receptor activation at the acupuncture point, we here report that in acute and chronic animal pain models, oral intake of caffeine, a potent adenosine receptor antagonist, interferes with acupuncture analgesia, even at a low dose. Local administration of caffeine at the acupuncture point was sufficient to eliminate the analgesic effect, dismissing the systemic action of caffeine. Such interference was reversible, as caffeine withdrawal fully restored the efficacy of acupuncture by the next day, and long-term exposure to caffeine did not alter A1 receptor expression at the acupuncture point. Combined, these data indicate that a trace amount of caffeine can reversibly block the analgesic effects of acupuncture, and controlling caffeine consumption during acupuncture may improve pain management outcomes.
High-order exceptional points in optomechanics
Authors: Jing H. , Özdemir Ş. K. , Lü H. , Nori Franco 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe study mechanical cooling in systems of coupled passive (lossy) and active (with gain) optical resonators. We find that for a driving laser which is red-detuned with respect to the cavity frequency, the supermode structure of the system is radically changed, featuring the emergence of genuine high-order exceptional points. This in turn leads to giant enhancement of both the mechanical damping and the spring stiffness, facilitating low-power mechanical cooling in the vicinity of gain-loss balance. This opens up new avenues of steering micromechanical devices with exceptional points beyond the lowest-order two.
Effects of transient high temperature treatment on the intestinal flora of the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Sun Zhenli , Kumar Dhiraj , Cao Guangli , Zhu Liyuan , Liu Bo , Zhu Min , Liang Zi , Kuang Sulan , Chen Fei , Feng Yongjie , Hu Xiaolong , Xue Renyu , Gong Chengliang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe silkworm Bombyx mori is a poikilotherm and is therefore sensitive to various climatic conditions. The influence of temperature on the intestinal flora and the relationship between the intestinal flora and gene expression in the silkworm remain unknown. In the present study, changes of the intestinal flora at 48, 96 and 144 h following transient high temperature treatment (THTT) of 37 °C for 8 h were investigated. According to principal component analysis, the abundances of Enterococcus and Staphylococcus showed a negative correlation with other dominant genera. After THTT, the gene expression levels of spatzle-1 and dicer-2 were increased and decreased, respectively, which suggested that the Toll and RNAi pathways were activated and suppressed, respectively. The species-gene expression matrix confirmed that the spatzle-1 and dicer-2 gene expression levels were negatively and positively correlated, respectively, with the abundance of Enterococcus and Staphylococcus in the control. The abundance of Variovorax post-THTT was positively correlated with the spatzle-1 gene expression level, whereas the community richness of Enterococcus was negatively correlated with the spatzle-1 gene expression level and positively correlated with the dicer-2. The results of the present investigation provide new evidence for understanding the relationships among THTT, intestinal flora and host gene expression.
Sol-gel Autocombustion Synthesis of Nanocrystalline High-entropy Alloys
Authors: Niu Bo , Zhang Fan , Ping Hang , Li Na , Zhou Jieyang , Lei Liwen , Xie Jingjing , Zhang Jinyong , Wang Weimin , Fu Zhengyi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA reduction in the particle size is expected to improve the properties and increase the application potential of high-entropy alloys. Therefore, in this study, a novel sol–gel autocombustion technique was first used to synthesize high-entropy alloys. The average grain size of the prepared nanocrystalline CoCrCuNiAl high-entropy alloys showed was 14 nm with an excellent and uniform dispersion, exhibiting a distinct magnetic behavior similar to the superparamagnetic behavior. We show that the metal nitrates first form (Co,Cu,Mg,Ni,Zn)O high-entropy oxides, and then in situ reduce to CoCrCuNiAl high-entropy alloys by the reducing gases, and the chelation between citric acid and the metal ions and the in situ chemical reactions are the dominant reaction mechanisms. We demonstrate that the sol–gel autocombustion process is an efficient way to synthesize solid solution alloys eluding the restriction of a high mixing entropy.
Atrial fibrillation as a prognostic indicator of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: He Wenqi , Chu Yingjie 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate whether atrial fibrillation (AF) predicts myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiovascular (CV) death. AF is a well-established risk factor for thrombotic stroke and all-cause mortality. PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Central were searched for articles comparing the incidence rates of MI, CV death, or CV events between AF and non-AF patients. Relative risk ratio (RR) was used as effect estimate. Crude and adjusted RRs were calculated. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The meta-analysis included 27 studies. In the unadjusted analysis, AF patients had a nonsignificant trend toward a higher risk of MI compared with non-AF patients; however, a significant association was found. The crude data analysis showed that AF was associated with increased risk of CV death (P < 0.05) and CV events (P < 0.05). These associations remained significant after pooling data from adjusted models (CV death: RR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.51–2.51, P < 0.05; CV events: RR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.50–2.95, P < 0.05). These results showed that AF is an independent risk factor for MI, CV death, and CV events.
Antibacterial and detoxifying activity of NZ17074 analogues with multi-layers of selective antimicrobial actions against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis
Authors: Yang Na , Liu Xuehui , Teng Da , Li Zhanzhan , Wang Xiumin , Mao Ruoyu , Wang Xiao , Hao Ya , Wang Jianhua 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNZ17074 (N1), an arenicin-3 derivative isolated from the lugworm, has potent antibacterial activity and is cytotoxic. To reduce its cytotoxicity, seven N1 analogues with different structures were designed by changing their disulfide bonds, hydrophobicity, or charge. The “rocket” analogue-N2 and the “kite” analogue-N6 have potent activity and showed lower cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 cells than N1. The NMR spectra revealed that N1, N2, and N6 adopt β-sheet structures stabilized by one or two disulfide bonds. N2 and N6 permeabilized the outer/inner membranes of E. coli, but did not permeabilize the inner membranes of S. enteritidis. N2 and N6 induced E. coli and S. enteritidis cell cycle arrest in the I-phase and R-phase, respectively. In E. coli and in S. enteritidis, 18.7–43.8% of DNA/RNA/cell wall synthesis and 5.7–61.8% of DNA/RNA/protein synthesis were inhibited by the two peptides, respectively. Collapsed and filamentous E. coli cells and intact morphologies of S. enteritidis cells were observed after treatment with the two peptides. Body weight doses from 2.5–7.5 mg/kg of N2 and N6 enhanced the survival rate of peritonitis- and endotoxemia-induced mice; reduced the serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels; and protected mice from lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury. These data indicate that N2 and N6, through multiple selective actions, may be promising dual-function candidates as novel antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin peptides.
Evaluation of the immature platelet fraction contribute to the differential diagnosis of hereditary, immune and other acquired thrombocytopenias
Authors: Ferreira F. L. B. , Colella M. P. , Medina S. S. , Costa-Lima C. , Fiusa M. M. L. , Costa L. N. G. , Orsi F. A. , Annichino-Bizzacchi J. M. , Fertrin K. Y. , Gilberti M. F. P. , Ozelo M. C. , De Paula E. V. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe differential diagnosis of immune (ITP) and hereditary macrothrombocytopenia (HM) is key to patient management. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) represents the subset of circulating platelets with higher RNA content, and has been shown to distinguish hypo- from hyperproliferative thrombocytopenias. Here we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of IPF in the differential diagnosis between HM and other thrombocytopenias in a population of patients with post-chemotherapy thrombocytopenia (n = 56), bone marrow failure (n = 22), ITP (n = 105) and HM (n = 27). TPO levels were also measured in HM and ITP matched for platelet counts. Platelet counts were similar in all patient groups. Higher IPF values were observed in both ITP (12.3%; 2.4–65.6%) and HM (29.8%; 4.6–65.9%) compared to hypoproliferative thrombocytopenias. IPF values were also higher in HM compared to ITP, yielding a diagnostic accuracy of 0.80 (95%CI 0.70–0.90; P < 0.0001) to distinguish these two conditions. Intra- and inter-assays reproducibility of IPF in HM patients revealed that this is a stable parameter. In conclusion, IPF is increased in HM compared to both ITP and other thrombocytopenias and contributes to the differentiation between ITP and HM. Further studies are warranted to understand the biological rationale of these findings and to its incorporation in diagnostic algorithms of HM.
Linking optical and molecular signatures of dissolved organic matter in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Alba María , Nieto-Cid Mar , Osterholz Helena , Catalá Teresa S. , Reche Isabel , Dittmar Thorsten , Álvarez-Salgado Xosé Antón 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a key role in global biogeochemical cycles and experiences changes in molecular composition as it undergoes processing. In the semi-closed basins of the oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea, these gradual molecular modifications can be observed in close proximity. In order to extend the spatial resolution of information on DOM molecular composition available from ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry in this area, we relate this data to optical (fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy) measurements. Covariance between molecular formulae signal intensities and carbon-specific fluorescence intensities was examined by means of Spearman’s rank correlations. Fifty two per cent of the assigned molecular formulae were associated with at least one optical parameter, accounting for 70% of the total mass spectrum signal intensity. Furthermore, we obtained significant multiple linear regressions between optical and intensity-weighted molecular indices. The resulting regression equations were used to estimate molecular parameters such as the double bond equivalent, degradation state and occurrence of unsaturated aliphatic compounds from optical measurements. The statistical linkages between DOM molecular and optical properties illustrate that the simple, rapid and cost-efficient optical spectroscopic measurements provide valuable proxy information on the molecular composition of open ocean marine DOM.
Silver Nanowire/Colorless-Polyimide Composite Electrode: Application in Flexible and Transparent Resistive Switching Memory
Authors: Yeom Seung-Won , You Banseok , Cho Karam , Jung Hyun Young , Park Junsu , Shin Changhwan , Ju Byeong-Kwon , Kim Jong-Woong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractImproving the performance of resistive switching memories, while providing high transparency and excellent mechanical stability, has been of great interest because of the emerging need for electronic wearable devices. However, it remains a great challenge to fabricate fully flexible and transparent resistive switching memories because not enough research on flexible and transparent electrodes, for their application in resistive switching memories, has been conducted. Therefore, it has not been possible to obtain a nonvolatile memory with commercial applications. Recently, an electrode composed of a networked structure of Ag nanowires (AgNWs) embedded in a polymer, such as colorless polyimide (cPI), has been attracting increasing attention because of its high electrical, optical, and mechanical stability. However, for an intended use as a transparent electrode and substrate for resistive switching memories, it still has the crucial disadvantage of having a limited surface coverage of conductive pathways. Here, we introduce a novel approach to obtain a AgNWs/cPI composite electrode with a high figure-of-merit, mechanical stability, surface smoothness, and abundant surface coverage of conductive networks. By employing the fabricated electrodes, a flexible and transparent resistive memory could be successfully fabricated.
Domain wall motion in Pb(Zr0.20Ti0.80)O3 epitaxial thin films
Authors: Borderon C. , Brunier A. E. , Nadaud K. , Renoud R. , Alexe M. , Gundel H. W. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTwo Pb(Zr0.20Ti0.80)O3 samples of different thickness and domain configuration have been studied. The c-domain sample was found to have a higher coercive field E
c
and higher dielectric losses than the other which presents approximately 60% of c-domains and 40% of a-domains as observed by piezo force microscopy (PFM) characterization. Hyperbolic law measurements reveal that the higher coercive field is due to domain wall pinning in deeper defects and hence a higher field E
th
is required for unpinning. The dissipation factors due to domain wall motion, however, are similar in both samples since the domain wall density is low and there is almost no interaction between domain walls. The higher dielectric losses in the c-domain oriented sample are a result of a greater contribution from the lattice and seem to be due to strain from the substrate, which is not relieved in a thin sample. PFM and dielectric characterization are complementary methods which provide a better understanding of the domain wall motion.