bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Light-enhanced liquid-phase exfoliation and current photoswitching in graphene–azobenzene composites
Authors: Döbbelin Markus , Ciesielski Artur , Haar Sébastien , Osella Silvio , Bruna Matteo , Minoia Andrea , Grisanti Luca , Mosciatti Thomas , Richard Fanny , Prasetyanto Eko Adi , De Cola Luisa , Palermo Vincenzo , Mazzaro Raffaello , Morandi Vittorio , Lazzaroni Roberto , Ferrari Andrea C. , Beljonne David , Samorì Paolo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMultifunctional materials can be engineered by combining multiple chemical components, each conferring a well-defined function to the ensemble. Graphene is at the centre of an ever-growing research effort due to its combination of unique properties. Here we show that the large conformational change associated with the trans–cis photochemical isomerization of alkyl-substituted azobenzenes can be used to improve the efficiency of liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite, with the photochromic molecules acting as dispersion-stabilizing agents. We also demonstrate reversible photo-modulated current in two-terminal devices based on graphene–azobenzene composites. We assign this tuneable electrical characteristics to the intercalation of the azobenzene between adjacent graphene layers and the resulting increase in the interlayer distance on (photo)switching from the linear trans-form to the bulky cis-form of the photochromes. These findings pave the way to the development of new optically controlled memories for light-assisted programming and high-sensitive photosensors.
Evidence for subjective values guiding posture and movement coordination in a free-endpoint whole-body reaching task
Authors: Hilt P. M. , Berret B. , Papaxanthis C. , Stapley P. J. , Pozzo T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWhen moving, humans must overcome intrinsic (body centered) and extrinsic (target-related) redundancy, requiring decisions when selecting one motor solution among several potential ones. During classical reaching studies the position of a salient target determines where the participant should reach, constraining the associated motor decisions. We aimed at investigating implicit variables guiding action selection when faced with the complexity of human-environment interaction. Subjects had to perform whole body reaching movements towards a uniform surface. We observed little variation in the self-chosen motor strategy across repeated trials while movements were variable across subjects being on a continuum from a pure ‘knee flexion’ associated with a downward center of mass (CoM) displacement to an ‘ankle dorsi-flexion’ associated with an upward CoM displacement. Two optimality criteria replicated these two strategies: a mix between mechanical energy expenditure and joint smoothness and a minimization of the amount of torques. Our results illustrate the presence of idiosyncratic values guiding posture and movement coordination that can be combined in a flexible manner as a function of context and subject. A first value accounts for the reach efficiency of the movement at the price of selecting possibly unstable postures. The other predicts stable dynamic equilibrium but requires larger energy expenditure and jerk.
Quercetin Inhibits Fibroblast Activation and Kidney Fibrosis Involving the Suppression of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin and β-catenin Signaling
Authors: Ren Jiafa , Li Jianzhong , Liu Xin , Feng Ye , Gui Yuan , Yang Junwei , He Weichun , Dai Chunsun 
Published: April 2016

AbstractQuercetin, a flavonoid found in a wide variety of plants and presented in human diet, displays promising potential in preventing kidney fibroblast activation. However, whether quercetin can ameliorate kidney fibrosis in mice with obstructive nephropathy and the underlying mechanisms remain to be further elucidated. In this study, we found that administration of quercetin could largely ameliorate kidney interstitial fibrosis and macrophage accumulation in the kidneys with obstructive nephropathy. MTORC1, mTORC2, β-catenin as well as Smad signaling were activated in the obstructive kidneys, whereas quercetin could markedly reduce their abundance except Smad3 phosphorylation. In cultured NRK-49F cells, quercetin could inhibit α-SMA and fibronectin (FN) expression induced by TGFβ1 treatment. MTORC1, mTORC2, β-catenin and Smad signaling pathways were stimulated by TGFβ1 at a time dependent manner. Similar to those findings in the obstructive kidneys, mTORC1, mTORC2 and β-catenin, but not Smad signaling pathways were remarkably blocked by quercetin treatment. Together, these results suggest that quercetin inhibits fibroblast activation and kidney fibrosis involving a combined inhibition of mTOR and β-catenin signaling transduction, which may act as a therapeutic candidate for patients with chronic kidney diseases.
Multiple oligomeric structures of a bacterial small heat shock protein
Authors: Mani Nandini , Bhandari Spraha , Moreno Rodolfo , Hu Liya , Prasad B. V. Venkataram , Suguna Kaza 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSmall heat shock proteins are ubiquitous molecular chaperones that form the first line of defence against the detrimental effects of cellular stress. Under conditions of stress they undergo drastic conformational rearrangements in order to bind to misfolded substrate proteins and prevent cellular protein aggregation. Owing to the dynamic nature of small heat shock protein oligomers, elucidating the structural basis of chaperone action and oligomerization still remains a challenge. In order to understand the organization of sHSP oligomers, we have determined crystal structures of a small heat shock protein from Salmonella typhimurium in a dimeric form and two higher oligomeric forms: an 18-mer and a 24-mer. Though the core dimer structure is conserved in all the forms, structural heterogeneity arises due to variation in the terminal regions.
Degradation Physics of High Power LEDs in Outdoor Environment and the Role of Phosphor in the degradation process
Authors: Singh Preetpal , Tan Cher Ming 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA moisture- electrical – temperature (MET) test is proposed to evaluate the outdoor reliability of high power blue LEDs, with and without phosphor, and to understand the degradation physics of LEDs under the environment of combined humidity, temperature and electrical stresses. The blue LEDs with phosphor will be the high power white LEDs. Scanning acoustic microscopy is used to examine the resulted delamination during this test for the LEDs. The degradation mechanisms of blue LEDs (LEDs without phosphor) and white LEDs (LEDs with phosphor) are found to be different, under both the power on (i.e. with 350 mA through each LED) and power off (i.e. without current supply) conditions. Difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the molding part and the lens material as well as the heat generated by the phosphor layer are found to account for the major differences in the degradation mechanisms observed. The findings indicate that the proposed MET test is necessary for the LED industry in evaluating the reliability of LEDs under practical outdoor usage environment.
Direct observation of melting in a two-dimensional driven granular system
Authors: Sun Xiaoyan , Li Yang , Ma Yuqiang , Zhang Zexin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMelting is considered to be one of the most fundamental problems in physical science. Generally, dimensionality plays an important role in melting. In three-dimension, it’s well known that a crystal melts directly into a liquid via a first-order transition. In two-dimension (2D), however, the melting process has been widely debated whether it is a first-order transition or a two-step transition with an intermediate hexatic phase. Experimentally 2D melting has been intensively studied in equilibrium systems such as molecular and colloidal crystals, but rarely been explored in non-equilibrium system such as granular materials. In this paper, we experimentally studied the 2D melting in a driven granular model system at single particle level using video recording and particle tracking techniques. Measurements of orientational/translational correlation functions show evidences that the melting is a two-step transition. A novel concept of orientational/translational susceptibilities enable us to clearly resolve the intermediate hexatic phase. Our results are in excellent agreement with the two-step melting scenario predicted by KTHNY theory and demonstrate that the KTHNY melting scenario can be extended to non-equilibrium systems.
Both overexpression and suppression of an Oryza sativa NB-LRR-like gene OsLSR result in autoactivation of immune response and thiamine accumulation
Authors: Wang Liangchao , Ye  , Liu Huachun , Liu Xuejiao , Wei Chuchu , Huang Yuqing , Liu Yujun , Tu Jumin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTight and accurate regulation of immunity and thiamine biosynthesis is critical for proper defence mechanisms and several primary metabolic cycles in plants. Although thiamine is known to enhance plant defence by priming, the mechanism by which thiamine biosynthesis responds to immune signals remains poorly understood. Here we identified a novel rice (Oryza sativa L.) NB-LRR gene via an insertion mutation, this mutant confesses a low seed setting phenotype and the corresponding genetic locus was named OsLSR (Low seed setting related). Comparing with wildtype plant, both overexpression and suppression of OsLSR lead to the autoactivation of the rice immune system and accumulation of thiamine, which result in a great fitness cost and yield penalty. Moreover, when fused with eGFP at their C terminus, two fragments, OsLSR1-178 and OsLSR464-546, localized to chloroplasts where thiamine is produced. Our result suggests that OsLSR differs from traditional NB-LRR genes. Its expression is closely related to the immune status and thiamine level in plant cells and should be maintained within a narrow range for rice growth.
Photon statistics on the extreme entanglement
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zhang Jun , Yu Chang-shui 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe effects of photon bunching and antibunching correspond to the classical and quantum features of the electromagnetic field, respectively. No direct evidence suggests whether these effects can be potentially related to quantum entanglement. Here we design a cavity quantum electrodynamics model with two atoms trapped in to demonstrate the connections between the steady-state photon statistics and the two-atom entanglement. It is found that within the weak dissipations and to some good approximation, the local maximal two-atom entanglements perfectly correspond to not only the quantum feature of the electromagnetic field—the optimal photon antibunching, but also the classical feature—the optimal photon bunching. We also analyze the influence of strong dissipations and pure dephasing. An intuitive physical understanding is also given finally.
Control of Radiative Exciton Recombination by Charge Transfer Induced Surface Dipoles in MoS2 and WS2 Monolayers
Authors: Hu Peng , Ye Jun , He Xuexia , Du Kezhao , Zhang Keke K. , Wang Xingzhi , Xiong Qihua , Liu Zheng , Jiang Hui , Kloc Christian 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDue to the two dimensional confinement of electrons in a monolayer of 2D materials, the properties of monolayer can be controlled by electrical field formed on the monolayer surface. F4TCNQ was evaporated on MoS2 and WS2 monolayer forming dipoles between strong acceptor, F4TCNQ and monolayers of MoS2 or WS2. The strong acceptor attracts electrons (charge transfer) and decreases the number of the ionized excitons. Free excitons undergo radiative recombination in both MoS2 and WS2. Moreover, the photoluminescence enhancement is stronger in WS2 where the exciton-phonon coupling is weaker. The theoretical model indicates that the surface dipole controls the radiative exciton recombination and enhances photoluminescence radiation. Deposition of F4TCNQ on the 2D monolayers enables a convenient control of the radiative exciton recombination and leads to the applications of these materials in lasers or LEDs.
Management practices regulate the response of Moso bamboo foliar stoichiometry to nitrogen deposition
Authors: Song Xinzhang , Gu Honghao , Wang Meng , Zhou Guomo , Li Quan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMoso bamboo, well known for its high growth rate, is being subjected to increasing amounts of nitrogen deposition. However, how anthropogenic management practices regulate the effects of N deposition on Moso bamboo stoichiometry remains poorly understood. We observed the effects of two years of simulated N deposition (30, 60 and 90 kg N ha−1yr−1) on the foliar stoichiometry of Moso bamboo plantations under conventional management (CM) and intensive management (IM). Young bamboo had significantly greater foliar N and P concentrations and N:P ratios than mature plants (P < 0.05). IM significantly increased the foliar N concentrations of young bamboo and P concentrations of mature bamboo but decreased mature bamboo foliar N:P ratios (P < 0.05). Nitrogen increased foliar N and P concentrations in IM bamboo plantations, but the positive effects were diminished when the addition rate exceeded 60 kg N ha−1yr−1. Nitrogen increased foliar N concentrations but aggravated P deficiency in CM bamboo plantations. The positive effects of N deposition on foliar stoichiometry were influenced by management practices and bamboo growth stage. The effects of N deposition on foliar stoichiometry combined with anthropogenic management practices can influence ecosystem production, decomposition and subsequent N and P cycles in Moso bamboo plantations.
135Cs activity and 135Cs/137Cs atom ratio in environmental samples before and after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident
Authors: Yang Guosheng , Tazoe Hirofumi , Yamada Masatoshi 
Published: April 2016

Abstract135Cs/137Cs is a potential tracer for radiocesium source identification. However, due to the challenge to measure 135Cs, there were no 135Cs data available for Japanese environmental samples before the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. It was only 3 years after the accident that limited 135Cs values could be measured in heavily contaminated environmental samples. In the present study, activities of 134Cs, 135Cs, and 137Cs, along with their ratios in 67 soil and plant samples heavily and lightly contaminated by the FDNPP accident were measured by combining γ spectrometry with ICP-MS/MS. The arithmetic means of the 134Cs/137Cs activity ratio (1.033 ± 0.006) and 135Cs/137Cs atom ratio (0.334 ± 0.005) (decay corrected to March 11, 2011), from old leaves of plants collected immediately after the FDNPP accident, were confirmed to represent the FDNPP derived radiocesium signature. Subsequently, for the first time, trace 135Cs amounts before the FDNPP accident were deduced according to the contribution of global and FDNPP accident-derived fallout. Apart from two soil samples with a tiny global fallout contribution, contributions of global fallout radiocesium in other soil samples were observed to be 0.338%–52.6%. The obtained 135Cs/137Cs database will be useful for its application as a geochemical tracer in the future.
High contrast two-photon imaging of fingermarks
Authors: Stoltzfus Caleb R. , Rebane Aleksander 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOptically-acquired fingermarks are widely used as evidence across law enforcement agencies as well as in the courts of law. A common technique for visualizing latent fingermarks on nonporous surfaces consists of cyanoacrylate fuming of the fingerprint material, followed by impregnation with a fluorescent dye, which under ultra violet (UV) illumination makes the fingermarks visible and thus accessible for digital recording. However, there exist critical circumstances, when the image quality is compromised due to high background scattering, high auto-fluorescence of the substrate material, or other detrimental photo-physical and photo-chemical effects such as light-induced damage to the sample. Here we present a novel near-infrared (NIR), two-photon induced fluorescence imaging modality, which significantly enhances the quality of the fingermark images, especially when obtained from highly reflective and/or scattering surfaces, while at the same time reducing photo-damage to sensitive forensic samples.
High performance bias-selectable three-color Short-wave/Mid-wave/Long-wave Infrared Photodetectors based on Type-II InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices
Authors: Hoang Anh Minh , Dehzangi Arash , Adhikary Sourav , Razeghi Manijeh 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe propose a new approach in device architecture to realize bias-selectable three-color shortwave-midwave-longwave infrared photodetectors based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb type-II superlattices. The effect of conduction band off-set and different doping levels between two absorption layers are employed to control the turn-on voltage for individual channels. The optimization of these parameters leads to a successful separation of operation regimes; we demonstrate experimentally three-color photodiodes without using additional terminal contacts. As the applied bias voltage varies, the photodiodes exhibit sequentially the behavior of three different colors, corresponding to the bandgap of three absorbers. Well defined cut-offs and high quantum efficiency in each channel are achieved. Such all-in-one devices also provide the versatility of working as single or dual-band photodetectors at high operating temperature. With this design, by retaining the simplicity in device fabrication, this demonstration opens the prospect for three-color infrared imaging.
Fast Triggering of Shape Memory Polymers using an Embedded Carbon Nanotube Sponge Network
Authors: Zhou Guoxiang , Zhang Heng , Xu Shuping , Gui Xuchun , Wei Hongqiu , Leng Jinsong , Koratkar Nikhil , Zhong Jing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn this work, a 3-D porous carbon nanotube sponge (CNTS) was embedded within a shape memory polymer (SMPs) matrix. We demonstrate complete infiltration and filling of the SMPs into the CNTS by capillary force without any damage to the CNTS structure. With only ~0.2 wt% carbon nanotube loading, the glass transition temperature is increased by ~20 °C, indicating strong interaction between CNTS and the SMPs matrix. Further, we find that the uniform distribution of the carbon nanotubes in the nanocomposite results in high electrical conductivity, and thus highly effective electricity triggering capability. The carbon nanotube sponge shape memory polymer (CNTS/SMPs) nanocomposite could be triggered within ~10 seconds by the application of ~10 volts. Results from finite element simulations showed good agreement with the experimental results, and indicated that for our system the interface thermal energy loss does not have a significant effect on the heating rate of the polymer matrix.
Elevated expression of circulating miR876-5p is a specific response to severe EV71 infections
Authors: Wang Robert Y. L. , Weng Kuo-Feng , Huang Yhu-Chering , Chen Chih-Jung 
Published: April 2016

AbstractHuman enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a major causative agent of hand, foot, and, mouth disease, accounting for more than 65% of recent outbreaks. Following enteroviral infection, the host responses are crucial indicators for the development of a diagnosis regarding the clinical severity of EV71 infections. In this study, we implemented NanoString nCounter technology to characterize the responses of serum microRNA (miRNA) profiles to various EV71 infection diseases. Upon EV71 infection, 44 miRNAs were observed in patients with EV71 infections, with at least a 2-fold elevation and 133 miRNAs with a 2-fold reduction compared with the same miRNAs in healthy controls. Further detailed work with miR876-5p, a 9.5-fold change of upregulated miR-876-5p expression was observed in cases with severe EV71 symptoms, revealed that in vitro and in vivo knockdown of miR876-5p reduced viral RNA in cultured cells, and attenuated the severity of symptoms in EV71-infected mice. Altogether, we demonstrated that the elevated expression of circulating miR876-5p is a specific response to severe EV71 infections.
Monitoring schistosomiasis risk in East China over space and time using a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach
Authors: Hu Yi , Ward Michael P. , Xia Congcong , Li Rui , Sun Liqian , Lynn Henry , Gao Fenghua , Wang Qizhi , Zhang Shiqing , Xiong Chenglong , Zhang Zhijie , Jiang Qingwu 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSchistosomiasis remains a major public health problem and causes substantial economic impact in east China, particularly along the Yangtze River Basin. Disease forecasting and surveillance can assist in the development and implementation of more effective intervention measures to control disease. In this study, we applied a Bayesian hierarchical spatio-temporal model to describe trends in schistosomiasis risk in Anhui Province, China, using annual parasitological and environmental data for the period 1997–2010. A computationally efficient approach–Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation–was used for model inference. A zero-inflated, negative binomial model best described the spatio-temporal dynamics of schistosomiasis risk. It predicted that the disease risk would generally be low and stable except for some specific, local areas during the period 2011–2014. High-risk counties were identified in the forecasting maps: three in which the risk remained high, and two in which risk would become high. The results indicated that schistosomiasis risk has been reduced to consistently low levels throughout much of this region of China; however, some counties were identified in which progress in schistosomiasis control was less than satisfactory. Whilst maintaining overall control, specific interventions in the future should focus on these refractive counties as part of a strategy to eliminate schistosomiasis from this region.
Human rights and the rights of states: a relational account
Authors: Zylberman Ariel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWhat is the relationship between human rights and the rights of states? Roughly, whilecosmopolitansinsist that international morality must regard as basic the interests of individuals,statistsmaintain that the state is of fundamental moral significance. This article defends a relational version of statism. Human rights are ultimately grounded in a relational norm ofreciprocal independenceand set limits to the exercise of public authority, but,contrathe cosmopolitan, the state is of fundamental moral significance. A relational account promises to justify a limited conception of state sovereignty while avoiding the familiar cosmopolitan criticisms of statist accounts.