bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Light-emitting diodes enhanced by localized surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Gu Xuefeng , Qiu Teng , Zhang Wenjun , Chu Paul K 
Published: March 2011

AbstractLight-emitting diodes [LEDs] are of particular interest recently as their performance is approaching fluorescent/incandescent tubes. Moreover, their energy-saving property is attracting many researchers because of the huge energy crisis we are facing. Among all methods intending to enhance the efficiency and intensity of a conventional LED, localized surface plasmon resonance is a promising way. The mechanism is based on the energy coupling effect between the emitted photons from the semiconductor and metallic nanoparticles fabricated by nanotechnology. In this review, we describe the mechanism of this coupling effect and summarize the common fabrication techniques. The prospect, including the potential to replace fluorescent/incandescent lighting devices as well as applications to flat panel displays and optoelectronics, and future challenges with regard to the design of metallic nanostructures and fabrication techniques are discussed.
Grain size-dependent magnetic and electric properties in nanosized YMnO3 multiferroic ceramics
Authors: Han Tai-Chun , Hsu Wei-Lun , Lee Wei-Da 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMagnetic and electric properties are investigated for the nanosized YMnO3 samples with different grain sizes (25 nm to 200 nm) synthesized by a modified Pechini method. It shows that magnetic and electric properties are strongly dependent on the grain size. The magnetic characterization indicates that with increasing grain size, the antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition temperature increases from 52 to 74 K. A corresponding shift of the dielectric anomaly is observed, indicating a strong correlation between the electric polarization and the magnetic ordering. Further analysis suggests that the rising of AFM transition temperature with increasing grain size should be from the structural origin, in which the strength of AFM interaction as well as the electrical polarization is dependent on the in-plane lattice parameters. Furthermore, among all samples, the sample with grain size of 95 nm is found to have the smallest leakage current density (< 1 μA/cm2).PACS: 75.50.Tt, 75.50.Ee, 75.85.+t, 77.84.-s
Lithium ion storage between graphenes
Authors: Chan Yue , Hill James M 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this article, we investigate the storage of lithium ions between two parallel graphene sheets using the continuous approximation and the 6-12 Lennard-Jones potential. The continuous approximation assumes that the carbon atoms can be replaced by a uniform distribution across the surface of the graphene sheets so that the total interaction potential can be approximated by performing surface integrations. The number of ion layers determines the major storage characteristics of the battery, and our results show three distinct ionic configurations, namely single, double, and triple ion forming layers between graphenes. The number densities of lithium ions between the two graphenes are estimated from existing semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations, and the graphene sheets giving rise to the triple ion layers admit the largest storage capacity at all temperatures, followed by a marginal decrease of storage capacity for the case of double ion layers. These two configurations exceed the maximum theoretical storage capacity of graphite. Further, on taking into account the charge-discharge property, the double ion layers are the most preferable choice for enhanced lithium storage. Although the single ion layer provides the least charge storage, it turns out to be the most stable configuration at all temperatures. One application of the present study is for the design of future high energy density alkali batteries using graphene sheets as anodes for which an analytical formulation might greatly facilitate rapid computational results.
Magnetotransport in quantum cascade detectors: analyzing the current under illumination
Authors: Jasnot François-Régis , Péré-Laperne Nicolas , de Vaulchier Louis-Anne , Guldner Yves , Carosella Francesca , Ferreira Robson , Buffaz Amandine , Doyennette Laetitia , Berger Vincent , Carras Mathieu , Marcadet Xavier 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPhotocurrent measurements have been performed on a quantum cascade detector structure under strong magnetic field applied parallel to the growth axis. The photocurrent shows oscillations as a function of B. In order to describe that behavior, we have developed a rate equation model. The interpretation of the experimental data supports the idea that an elastic scattering contribution plays a central role in the behavior of those structures. We present a calculation of electron lifetime versus magnetic field which suggests that impurities scattering in the active region is the limiting factor. These experiments lead to a better understanding of these complex structures and give key parameters to optimize them further.
Electromodulated reflectance study of self-assembled Ge/Si quantum dots
Authors: Yakimov Andrew , Nikiforov Aleksandr , Bloshkin Aleksei , Dvurechenskii Anatolii 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe perform an electroreflectance spectroscopy of Ge/Si self-assembled quantum dots in the near-infrared and in the mid-infrared spectral range. Up to three optical transitions are observed. The low-energy resonance is proposed to correspond to a band-to-continuum hole transition in the Ge valence band. The other two modulation signals are attributed to the spatially direct transitions between the electrons confined in the L and Δ(4) valleys of the Ge conduction band, and the localized hole states at the Γ point.
Microscopic study of electrical properties of CrSi2 nanocrystals in silicon
Authors: Dózsa László , Lányi Štefan , Raineri Vito , Giannazzo Filippo , Galkin Nikolay Gennadevich 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSemiconducting CrSi2 nanocrystallites (NCs) were grown by reactive deposition epitaxy of Cr onto n-type silicon and covered with a 50-nm epitaxial silicon cap. Two types of samples were investigated: in one of them, the NCs were localized near the deposition depth, and in the other they migrated near the surface. The electrical characteristics were investigated in Schottky junctions by current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), conductive AFM and scanning probe capacitance microscopy (SCM) were applied to reveal morphology and local electrical properties. The scanning probe methods yielded specific information, and tapping-mode AFM has shown up to 13-nm-high large-area protrusions not seen in the contact-mode AFM. The electrical interaction of the vibrating scanning tip results in virtual deformation of the surface. SCM has revealed NCs deep below the surface not seen by AFM. The electrically active probe yielded significantly better spatial resolution than AFM. The conductive AFM measurements have shown that the Cr-related point defects near the surface are responsible for the leakage of the macroscopic Schottky junctions, and also that NCs near the surface are sensitive to the mechanical and electrical stress induced by the scanning probe.
Divergence of gut permeability and mucosal immune gene expression in two gluten-associated conditions: celiac disease and gluten sensitivity
Authors: Sapone Anna , Lammers Karen M , Casolaro Vincenzo , Cammarota Marcella , Giuliano Maria Teresa , De Rosa Mario , Stefanile Rosita , Mazzarella Giuseppe , Tolone Carlo , Russo Maria Itria , Esposito Pasquale , Ferraraccio Franca , Cartenì Maria , Riegler Gabriele , de Magistris Laura , Fasano Alessio 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten. Gluten-sensitive individuals (GS) cannot tolerate gluten and may develop gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those in CD, but the overall clinical picture is generally less severe and is not accompanied by the concurrence of tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies or autoimmune comorbidities. By studying and comparing mucosal expression of genes associated with intestinal barrier function, as well as innate and adaptive immunity in CD compared with GS, we sought to better understand the similarities and differences between these two gluten-associated disorders.

Methods
CD, GS and healthy, gluten-tolerant individuals were enrolled in this study. Intestinal permeability was evaluated using a lactulose and mannitol probe, and mucosal biopsy specimens were collected to study the expression of genes involved in barrier function and immunity.

Results
Unlike CD, GS is not associated with increased intestinal permeability. In fact, this was significantly reduced in GS compared with controls (P = 0.0308), paralleled by significantly increased expression of claudin (CLDN) 4 (P = 0.0286). Relative to controls, adaptive immunity markers interleukin (IL)-6 (P = 0.0124) and IL-21 (P = 0.0572) were expressed at higher levels in CD but not in GS, while expression of the innate immunity marker Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 was increased in GS but not in CD (P = 0.0295). Finally, expression of the T-regulatory cell marker FOXP3 was significantly reduced in GS relative to controls (P = 0.0325) and CD patients (P = 0.0293).

Conclusions
This study shows that the two gluten-associated disorders, CD and GS, are different clinical entities, and it contributes to the characterization of GS as a condition associated with prevalent gluten-induced activation of innate, rather than adaptive, immune responses in the absence of detectable changes in mucosal barrier function.
Analysis of XMRV integration sites from human prostate cancer tissues suggests PCR contamination rather than genuine human infection
Authors: Garson Jeremy A , Kellam Paul , Towers Greg J 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
XMRV is a gammaretrovirus associated in some studies with human prostate cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome. Central to the hypothesis of XMRV as a human pathogen is the description of integration sites in DNA from prostate tumour tissues. Here we demonstrate that 2 of 14 patient-derived sites are identical to sites cloned in the same laboratory from experimentally infected DU145 cells. Identical integration sites have never previously been described in any retrovirus infection. We propose that the patient-derived sites are the result of PCR contamination. This observation further undermines the notion that XMRV is a genuine human pathogen.
Fish oil rich diet in comparison to saturated fat rich diet offered protection against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in mice
Authors: Vijay-Kumar Matam , Vanegas Sally M , Patel Nilam , Aitken Jesse D , Ziegler Thomas R , Ganji Vijay 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background and Objective
Systemic chronic inflammation is linked to metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Gram negative microbial product, triggers inflammation through toll-like-receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling. It has been reported that dietary fatty acids also modulate inflammation through TLR-4. We investigated whether fish oil (FO) rich diet in comparison to saturated fat (SF) rich diet would confer protection from pathologies induced by LPS.

Methods
Twenty C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups. One group received FO-diet and other received SF-diet ad libitum for 60 days. Diets were isocaloric containing 45% energy from fat. After 60-days of feeding, blood was collected after overnight fast. Mice were allowed to recover for 4-days, fasted for 5-hours, challenged with 100 ng/mL of LPS intraperitonially, and bled after 2-hours. After 7-days of recuperation, mice were challenged with 500 ng/mL of LPS intraperitonially and observed for physical health.

Results
Food intake was similar in FO- and SF-fed mice. FO-fed mice compared to SF-fed mice had significantly less body weight gain (P = 0.005), epididymal fat weight (P = 0.005), fasting blood glucose (70.8 vs 83.3 ng/dL; P < 0.05), HOMA-IR (5.0 vs 13.6; P < 0.019), and serum cholesterol (167 vs 94 mg/dL; P < 0.05). When challenged with LPS, FO-fed mice had significantly lower serum IL-1β compared to SF-fed mice (2.0 vs 30.0 pg/mL; P < 0.001). After LPS-challenge, SF-fed mice had higher mortality, lost more body weight, and had greater decrease in blood glucose compared to FO-fed mice.

Conclusion
Overall, FO-diet compared to SF-diet offered protection against deleterious effects of LPS in mice.
A primary-school-based study to reduce prevalence of childhood obesity in Catalunya (Spain) - EDAL-Educació en alimentació: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Giralt Montse , Albaladejo Rosa , Tarro Lucia , Moriña David , Arija Victoria , Solà Rosa 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
The EdAL (
Ed

ucació en

Al

imentació) study is a long-term, nutrition educational, primary-school-based program designed to prevent obesity by promoting a healthy lifestyle that includes dietary recommendations and physical activity.
The aims are: 1) to evaluate the effects of a 3-year school-based life-style improvement program on the prevalence of obesity in an area of north-west Mediterranean 2) To design a health-promotion program to be implemented by health-promoter agents (university students) in primary schools.

Methods/Design
1) The intervention study is a randomised, controlled, school-based program performed by university-student health-promoter agents. Initial pupil enrolment was in 2006 and continued for 3 years. We considered two clusters (designated as cluster A and cluster B) as the units for randomisation. The first cluster involved 24 schools from Reus and the second involved 14 schools from surrounding towns Cambrils, Salou and Vilaseca combined in order to obtain comparable groups. There are very good communications between schools in each town, and to avoid cross influence of the programs resulting from inter-school dialogue, the towns themselves were the unit for randomisation. Data collected included name, gender, date and place of birth at the start of the program and, subsequently, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference every year for 3 years. Questionnaires on eating and physical activity habits are filled-in by the parents at the start and end of the study and, providing that informed consent is given, the data are analysed on the intention-to-treat basis.
The interventions are based on 8 nutritional and physical activity objectives. They are implemented by university students as part of the university curriculum in training health-promoter agents. These 8 objectives are developed in 4 educational activities/year for 3 years (a total of 12 activities; 1 h/activity) performed by the health-promoter agents in primary schools. Control pupils follow their usual activities.
2) Courses on education and promotion of health, within in the curriculum of medicine and health sciences for university students, are designed to train health-promoter agents to administer these activities in primary schools.

Discussion
This controlled school-based intervention will test the possibility of preventing childhood obesity.

Trial registration number
ISRCTN: ISRCTN29247645
T cell mediated cerebral hemorrhages and microhemorrhages during passive Aβ immunization in APPPS1 transgenic mice
Authors: Meyer-Luehmann Melanie , Mora J Rodrigo , Mielke Matthew , Spires-Jones Tara L , de Calignon Alix , von Andrian Ulrich H , Hyman Bradley T 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
Immunization against amyloid-β (Aβ), the peptide that accumulates in the form of senile plaques and in the cerebrovasculature in Alzheimer's disease (AD), causes a dramatic immune response that prevents plaque formation and clears accumulated Aβ in transgenic mice. In a clinical trial of Aβ immunization, some patients developed meningoencephalitis and hemorrhages. Neuropathological investigations of patients who died after the trial showed clearance of amyloid pathology, but also a powerful immune response involving activated T cells probably underlying the negative effects of the immunization.

Results
To define the impact of T cells on this inflammatory response we used passive immunization and adoptive transfer to separate the effect of IgG and T cell mediated effects on microhemorrhage in APPPS1 transgenic mice. Neither anti Aβ IgG nor adoptively transferred T cells, alone, led to increased cerebrovascular damage. However, the combination of adoptively transferred T cells and passive immunization led to massive cerebrovascular bleeding that ranged from multiple microhemorrhages in the parenchyma to large hematomas.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that vaccination can lead to Aβ and T cell induced cerebral micro-hemorrhages and acute hematomas, which are greatly exacerbated by T cell mediated activity.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia with Gilbert's syndrome
Authors: Yu Guo-Pan , Jiang Qian-Li , Fan Zhi-Ping , Zhao Jie , Wei Qi , Sun Jing , Meng Fan-Yi , Liu Qi-Fa 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Acute leukemia with coexisting Gilbert's syndrome treated by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is rarely reported. Here we described a case whose transaminase levels were almost normal, although transient hyperbilirubinemia repeatedly happened during chemotherapy.
Biomedical semantics in the Semantic Web
Authors: Splendiani Andrea , Burger Albert , Paschke Adrian , Romano Paolo , Marshall M Scott 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The Semantic Web offers an ideal platform for representing and linking biomedical information, which is a prerequisite for the development and application of analytical tools to address problems in data-intensive areas such as systems biology and translational medicine. As for any new paradigm, the adoption of the Semantic Web offers opportunities and poses questions and challenges to the life sciences scientific community: which technologies in the Semantic Web stack will be more beneficial for the life sciences? Is biomedical information too complex to benefit from simple interlinked representations? What are the implications of adopting a new paradigm for knowledge representation? What are the incentives for the adoption of the Semantic Web, and who are the facilitators? Is there going to be a Semantic Web revolution in the life sciences?
We report here a few reflections on these questions, following discussions at the SWAT4LS (Semantic Web Applications and Tools for Life Sciences) workshop series, of which this Journal of Biomedical Semantics special issue presents selected papers from the 2009 edition, held in Amsterdam on November 20th.
The anti-inflammatory role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in macrophage–dendritic cell crosstalk afterLactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1 exposure
Authors: Martins Andrew J , Spanton Sarah , Sheikh Haroon I , Kim Sung Ouk 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTMΦs are important sensory cells of the innate immune system and regulate immune responses through releasing different combinations of cytokines. In this study, we examined whether cytokines released by MΦs in response to the probiotic bacterial strain GR-1 modulate the responses of DCs. The cytokine profile released by GR-1-treated MΦs was characterized by low levels of TNF-α, GM-CSF, IL-6, and IL-12 but very high levels of G-CSF. GR-1 CM did not induce expression of the shared p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23 and costimulatory molecules CD80 or CD86 or increase T cell stimulatory capacity in DCs. However, in G-CSFR-deficient DCs or after antibody-mediated neutralization of G-CSF, GR-1 CM induced IL-12/23 p40 production significantly, indicating that G-CSF within the GR-1 CM inhibits IL-12/23 p40 production induced by other CM components. GR-1 CM and rG-CSF also inhibited LPS-induced IL-12 production at the mRNA and protein levels. The inhibition of IL-12 production by G-CSF was at least in part mediated through inhibition of JNK activation. Finally, splenic DCs of GR-1-injected mice produced less IL-12/23 p40 than those of PBS-injected mice in response to LPS ex vivo, and this was at least partially dependent on exposure to GR-1-induced G-CSF in vivo. Altogether, these results suggest that G-CSF modulates the IL-12/23 p40 response of DCs in the context of the probiotic GR-1 through MΦ–DC crosstalk.
Stimulus predictability mediates a switch in locomotor smooth pursuit performance for Eigenmannia virescens
Authors: Roth Eatai , Zhuang Katie , Stamper Sarah A. , Fortune Eric S. , Cowan Noah J. 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARY
The weakly electric glass knifefish, Eigenmannia virescens, will swim forward and backward, using propulsion from an anal ribbon fin, in response to motion of a computer-controlled moving refuge. Fish were recorded performing a refuge-tracking behavior for sinusoidal (predictable) and sum-of-sines (pseudo-random) refuge trajectories. For all trials, we observed high coherence between refuge and fish trajectories, suggesting linearity of the tracking dynamics. But superposition failed: we observed categorical differences in tracking between the predictable single-sine stimuli and the unpredictable sum-of-sines stimuli. This nonlinearity suggests a stimulus-mediated adaptation. At all frequencies tested, fish demonstrated reduced tracking error when tracking single-sine trajectories and this was typically accompanied by a reduction in overall movement. Most notably, fish demonstrated reduced phase lag when tracking single-sine trajectories. These data support the hypothesis that fish generate an internal dynamical model of the stimulus motion, hence improving tracking of predictable trajectories (relative to unpredictable ones) despite similar or reduced motor cost. Similar predictive mechanisms based on the dynamics of stimulus movement have been proposed recently, but almost exclusively for nonlocomotor tasks by humans, such as oculomotor target tracking and posture control. These data suggest that such mechanisms might be common across taxa and behaviors.
Temperature effects on Ca2+ cycling in scombrid cardiomyocytes: a phylogenetic comparison
Authors: Galli Gina L. J. , Lipnick Michael S. , Shiels Holly A. , Block Barbara A. 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARY
Specialisations in excitation–contraction coupling may have played an important role in the evolution of endothermy and high cardiac performance in scombrid fishes. We examined aspects of Ca2+ handling in cardiomyocytes from Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis). The whole-cell voltage-clamp technique was used to measure the temperature sensitivity of the L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICa), density, and steady-state and maximal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content (ssSRload and maxSRload). Current–voltage relations, peak ICa density and charge density of ICa were greatest in mackerel and yellowfin at all temperatures tested. ICa density and kinetics were temperature sensitive in all species studied, and the magnitude of this response was not related to the thermal preference of the species. SRload was greater in atrial than in ventricular myocytes in the Pacific bluefin tuna, and in species that are more cold tolerant (bluefin tuna and mackerel). ICa and SRload were particularly small in bonito, suggesting the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger plays a more pivotal role in Ca2+ entry into cardiomyocytes of this species. Our comparative approach reveals that the SR of cold-tolerant scombrid fishes has a greater capacity for Ca2+ storage. This specialisation may contribute to the temperature tolerance and thermal niche expansion of the bluefin tuna and mackerel.