ALBERT

Description:    In this report, we study crystallization and Raman spectral and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) changes in amorphous and nanocrystalline Si. Micro-Raman spectra combined with TEM show that considerable crystallization occurs in a-Si:H and a-Si(Al) (the structure of aluminum-diffused amorphous Si/Al/c-Si), but no additional crystallization was observed for nc-Si:H, after the exposure to a laser or accelerating electrons. Meanwhile, moving toward lower or higher energy for a-Si:H and nc-Si:H, by contrast, the Raman shift appeared for a-Si(Al) as if it were for single-crystalline Si, in which it remained constant at one energy, as the laser intensity increased or decreased. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6781-1 Authors Jong H. Lyou, College of Science and Technology, Korea University, Chungnam, 339-700 South Korea Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Nickel is an important sheath material for the fabrication of MgB 2 wires. However, the effects of Ni doping on the phase formation and superconducting properties of MgB 2 remain controversial. In this work, Ni powder is selected for doping in MgB 2 bulk in order to examine the corresponding changes. Combining with the DSC analysis and in-situ XRD results, we find indications that the Ni powder reacted with Mg and B, forming MgNi 2.5 B 2 at 600°C. The ternary compound began to decompose at a temperature above 800°C. The reactive phase, MgNi 2.5 B 2 , acted as an obstacle to the supercurrent flow, creating weak links among the MgB 2 grain boundaries. However, it is found that the added Ni formed a eutectic liquid phase with Mg at 506°C. The liquid phase helps the formation of MgB 2 at low temperature, which not only increases the density of the sample, but also improves the grain connectivity. Consequently, the presence of Ni in the MgB 2 sample is not necessarily a disadvantage; it depends on the desired application. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6812-y Authors Qian Zhao, Tianjin Key Lab of Composite and Functional Materials, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P.R. China Yongchang Liu, Tianjin Key Lab of Composite and Functional Materials, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P.R. China Qi Cai, Tianjin Key Lab of Composite and Functional Materials, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    We describe a novel ion-implantation method for fabricating a dichroic nanoparticle film by controlling the nucleation and growth of silver nanoparticles in fused silica. We first implant Sc and O ions into the silica substrate to create a high-index layer and modify the short- and intermediate-range order; this dual-implantation technique defines a sharper interface between the silica substrate and the nanoparticle layer. By modifying the short- and intermediate-range order in a thin layer of the silica matrix, Ag ions that are subsequently implanted are subject to altered diffusion and nucleation dynamics, yielding a bilayer structure comprising spatially separated regions of smaller and larger Ag nanoparticles. Depending on the implanted dose of Sc, the peak resonant wavelength in reflectivity can shift as much as 100 nm between front-side (implanted face) and back-side (non-implanted face) illumination. Implications for the optimization of bidirectional optical filters and optical cavities are discussed and compared to calculations of scattering efficiency based on Mie theory. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6827-4 Authors R. H. Magruder, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Belmont University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA S. Robinson, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Belmont University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA C. Smith, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Belmont University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA A. Meldrum, Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2J1, Canada R. F. Haglund, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Most previous studies have employed surface patterning to improve the performance of lubrication systems. However, few have experimentally analyzed improved effects on friction reduction in SiC mechanical seals by ultra-fast laser pulse texturing. This work applies surface texturing on a non-contact mechanical seal and analyzes the characteristics of the resultant surface morphology. A femtosecond laser system is employed to fabricate micro/nanostructures on the SiC mechanical seal, and generates microscale-depth stripes and induces nanostructures on the seal surface. This work examines the morphology and cross section of the SiC nanostructures that correspond to the different scanning speeds of the laser pulse. Results show that varying the scanning speed enables the application of nanostructures of different amplitudes and widths on the surface of the seal. The friction coefficient of the introduced SiC full-textured seal is about 20% smaller than that of a conventional SiC mechanical seal. Hence, femtosecond laser texturing is effective and enables direct fabrication of the surface micro/nanostructures of SiC seals. This technique also serves as a potential approach to lubricating applications. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6822-9 Authors Chien-Yu Chen, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan, R.O.C. Chung-Jen Chung, Center for Micro/Nano Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan, R.O.C. Bo-Hsiung Wu, Center for Micro/Nano Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan, R.O.C. Wang-Long Li, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan, R.O.C. Chih-Wei Chien, Laser Application Technology Center, ITRI South, Industrial Technology, Research Institute, Tainan, 73445 Taiwan, R.O.C. Ping-Han Wu, Laser Application Technology Center, ITRI South, Industrial Technology, Research Institute, Tainan, 73445 Taiwan, R.O.C. Chung-Wei Cheng, Laser Application Technology Center, ITRI South, Industrial Technology, Research Institute, Tainan, 73445 Taiwan, R.O.C. Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Advanced applications of glass span the range from biomedical technology to special optical lenses to mobile phones and computers. Such advanced applications demand high-precision machining, which is like multiple single scratches occurring simultaneously on the glass surface. However, in spite of the wealth of literature on scratch deformation behavior of glass there is no significant information available on whether the nanomechanical properties are affected inside the scratch grooves. Therefore, nanoindentation experiments were deliberately conducted at a fixed load of 100 mN through the scratch grooves made at various applied normal loads (5–15 N) at a constant speed of 200 μm s −1 on polished soda–lime–silica (SLS) glass slides. The results showed that depending upon the applied normal load used to generate the scratch grooves, the nanohardness and Young’s modulus inside the scratch grooves decreased by about ∼30–60% from the corresponding data of the undamaged SLS glass due to the presence of sub-surface shear deformation and microcracking as observed by optical, scanning and field emission scanning electron microscopy. A model for microcracked brittle solids was utilized to explain these results. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6828-3 Authors Payel Bandyopadhyay, CSIR—Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, 700032 India Arjun Dey, CSIR—Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, 700032 India Sudakshina Roy, CSIR—Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, 700032 India Nitai Dey, CSIR—Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, 700032 India Anoop Kumar Mukhopadhyay, CSIR—Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, 700032 India Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The introduction of porosity into ferroelectric ceramics has been of great interest in recent years. In particular, studies of porous lead-zirconate-titanate ceramic (PZT) have been made. In the research reported, samples of Ferroperm Pz27 with porosities of 20, 25 and 30% were studied. Very complete measurements were made of all of the physical properties relevant for ferroelectric applications including thermal conductivity and diffusivity, heat capacity, dielectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric and elastic properties. Scanning electron micrographs indicated a change from 3-0 to 3-3 connectivity with increasing porosity. Although most of the physical properties are degraded by the presence of porosity, both piezoelectric and pyroelectric figures-of-merit are improved because of the markedly reduced relative permittivity. Porous ferroelectric ceramics are very promising materials for a number of applications. Content Type Journal Article Category Invited paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6846-1 Authors Sidney B. Lang, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer Sheva, Israel Erling Ringgaard, Meggitt Sensing Systems, Hejreskovvej 18A, 3490 Kvistgård, Denmark Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    CdS quantum dot (QD) sensitized TiO 2 nanorod array (NRA) film electrodes with different rod geometries were fabricated via a solvothermal route followed by a sequentialchemical bath deposition (S-CBD) process. By controlling the solution growth conditions, the rod geometries, especially the tip structures, of the TiO 2 NRAs were tuned. The results indicated that the vertically aligned hierarchical NRAs possessed conically shaped tip geometry, which was favorable for film electrodes due to the reduced reflectance, enhanced light harvesting, fast charge-carrier separation and transfer, suppression of carrier recombination, sufficient electrolyte penetration and subsequent efficient QD assembly. CdS QD sensitized TiO 2 NRA film electrodes with tapered tips exhibited an enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance, a photocurrent intensity of 5.13 mA/cm 2 at a potential of 0 V vs. saturated calomel electrode, an open-circuit potential of −0.68 V vs. saturated calomel electrode and an incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 22% in the visible-light region from 400 to 500 nm. The effects of rod geometry on the optical absorption, reflectance, hydrophilic properties and PEC performance of bare TiO 2 and CdS QD sensitized TiO 2 NRA film electrodes were investigated. The mechanism of charge-carrier generation and transfer in these CdS QD sensitized solar cells based on vertically aligned TiO 2 nanorods is discussed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6825-6 Authors Jing Zhou, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 P.R. China Bin Song, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 P.R. China Gaoling Zhao, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 P.R. China Weixia Dong, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 P.R. China Gaorong Han, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials & Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Previously we have reported the existence of small-amplitude charge pulses in crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) and epoxy resin with a mobility several orders of magnitude higher than that found for the incoherent charge transport relevant to the steady state current. Here the relationship of this phenomenon to mechanical relaxation in the material is investigated by using a series of epoxy resin nanocomposites based on a resin that has its flexibility increased above that of the fully cured glassy epoxy network by the addition of a suitable flexibilizing chemical. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements show that the stiffness of the nanocomposite is progressively increased as the nanoparticle concentration increases. Pulsed Electro-Acoustic (PEA) measurements reveal that both positive and negative fast charge pulses exist in the unfilled epoxy at 45 and 70°C under a field of 10 kV/mm with mobility 5×10 −10 to 9×10 −10 m 2  V −1  s −1 , amplitude between 2×10 −5 and 3.6×10 −5 C m −2 and repetition rates between 8 and 12 s −1 . These values are reduced progressively as the nanoparticle concentration is increased from 0% in the unfilled epoxy. A  β -mode mechanical relaxation is identified in the loss modulus by Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA), whose activation energy moves to higher values with increasing nanoparticle concentration. It is shown that the repetition rates of both positive and negative pulses have similar values and are correlated with the β -mode activation energy; a similar correlation is found for the activation energy of the mobility of positive pulses. The correlation of the activation energy of the mobility of negative pulses and that of the β -mode is weaker although both show a progressive increase with nanoparticle concentration. The modification of the fast charge pulse properties by the mechanical stiffness of the epoxy nanocomposite is discussed in terms of the theory presented previously for their formation and transport. Content Type Journal Article Category Invited paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6845-2 Authors G. C. Montanari, LIMAT-DIE, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy M. Xu, LIMAT-DIE, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy D. Fabiani, LIMAT-DIE, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy L. A. Dissado, Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The electrocaloric effect (ECE) of poly (vinyledene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF–TrFE)) 55/45 mol% copolymers was directly measured, which confirms the results deduced from Maxwell relation. The adiabatic temperature change Δ T under a given electric field peaks at the ferroelectric–paraelectric (FE–PE) transition. Away from it, ECE becomes small. Δ T versus applied electric field can be described well by a modified Belov–Goryaga equation. The ECE in ferroelectric polymers, especially near FE–PE transition where larger ECE is observed, are analyzed under different boundary conditions employing phenomenological theory and constitutive equations. The secondary pyroelectricity is found to play a significant role which enhances ECE in ferroelectric polymers. Content Type Journal Article Category Invited paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6830-9 Authors S. G. Lu, Materials Research Institute and Department of Electrical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA B. Rozic, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Q. M. Zhang, Materials Research Institute and Department of Electrical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA Z. Kutnjak, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia R. Pirc, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Surface photovoltage is used to study the dynamics of photogenerated carriers which are transported through a highly interconnected three-dimensional network of indium phosphide nanowires. Through the nanowire network charge transport is possible over distances far in excess of the nanowire lengths. Surface photovoltage was measured within a region 10.5–14.5 mm from the focus of the illumination, which was chopped at a range of frequencies from 15 Hz to 30 kHz. Carrier dynamics were modeled by approximating the nanowire network as a thin film, then fitted to experiment suggesting diffusion of electrons and holes at approximately 75% of the bulk value in InP but with significantly reduced built-in fields, presumably due to screening by nanowire surfaces. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6810-0 Authors Andrew J. Lohn, Baskin School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA Nobuhiko P. Kobayashi, Baskin School of Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    This work studies the resonant behavior of nanoscale magnetic materials. This behavior, henceforth referred to as magnetostatic resonance, occurs at frequencies where the permeability is negative and the particle is much smaller than the wavelength. A surface integral equation is formulated on the boundary of the particle to calculate the resonance frequencies and modes. Unique physical properties of these resonances such as scale invariance of resonance frequency and orthogonality properties of resonant modes are studied. A numerical technique is presented to calculate the magnetostatic resonance frequencies of an arbitrary shape. Possible applications of these phenomena are outlined. Content Type Journal Article Category Invited paper Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6767-z Authors A. Kabiri, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Harvard, MA 02138, USA L. Talbi, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Quebec, Quebec, Canada O. M. Ramahi, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    In holographic femtosecond laser processing, diffractive parallel pulses are distorted by phase discontinuities and mutual interference between the neighborhoods in the reconstructed image of a Fourier computer-generated hologram when the interval is smaller than the beam diameter. We investigated holographic fabrication on a glass surface using parallel pulses with different intervals. We found the closest parallel pulses with sufficient separation to avoid mutual interference in holographic femtosecond laser processing. The minimum interval was 2.8 times larger than the diffracted beam diameter. The experimental results were also supported by a computer simulation. Our findings will be very useful in the design of holographic laser processing systems. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6801-1 Authors Yoshio Hayasaki, Center for Optical Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 7-1-2 Yoto, Utsunomiya, 321-8585 Japan Maki Nishitani, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima, 770-8506 Japan Hidetomo Takahashi, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima, 770-8506 Japan Hirotsugu Yamamoto, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima, 770-8506 Japan Akihiro Takita, Center for Optical Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 7-1-2 Yoto, Utsunomiya, 321-8585 Japan Daichi Suzuki, Center for Optical Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 7-1-2 Yoto, Utsunomiya, 321-8585 Japan Satoshi Hasegawa, Center for Optical Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, 7-1-2 Yoto, Utsunomiya, 321-8585 Japan Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Ag:ZnO hybrid nanostructures were successfully prepared by a twice arc discharge method in liquid. The visible light photocatalytic activities were successfully demonstrated for the degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh. B), Methyl orange (MO), and Methylene blue (MB) as standard organic compounds under the irradiation of 90 W halogen light for 2 h. The Ag:ZnO nanostructures were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The results revealed that the Ag:ZnO nanostructures extended the light absorption spectrum toward the visible region and significantly enhanced the Rh. B photodegradation under visible light irradiation. 3 mM Ag:ZnO nanostructures exhibited highest photocatalytic efficiency. It has been confirmed that the Ag:ZnO nanostructures could be excited by visible light ( E 〈3.3 eV). The significant enhancement in the Ag:ZnO nanostructures photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation can be ascribed to the effect of physisorbed noble metal Ag by acting as electron traps in ZnO band gap. A mechanism for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant over Ag:ZnO photocatalyst was proposed based on our observations. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6797-6 Authors Ali Akbar Ashkarran, Plasma Physics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box: 14665-678, Tehran, Iran Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    We characterized the conduction mechanisms in thin sputtered films of three representative binary Me–O (Me=Ta, W, and Nb) systems as a function of oxygen content, by combining in situ chemical state and electronic band structure studies from X-ray photoemission with temperature-dependent transport measurements. Despite certain differences, these amorphous films all displayed Fermi glass behavior following an oxidation-induced transition from metallic to hopping conduction, down to a sub-percolation threshold. The electron localization estimated from the band structure was in good agreement with that from the transport measurements, and the two were used to construct phase diagrams of conduction in the degree of oxidation-conductivity coordinates, which should prove important in the design of resistive switching and other electronic devices. Content Type Journal Article Category Invited paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6856-z Authors I. Goldfarb, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA F. Miao, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA J. Joshua Yang, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA W. Yi, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA J. P. Strachan, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA M.-X. Zhang, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA M. D. Pickett, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA G. Medeiros-Ribeiro, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA R. Stanley Williams, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The role of defects in the room temperature ferromagnetism of the Co–ZnO based diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) was investigated by co-doping the DMS with Na. The structure characterizations indicate that both Na and Co ions enter into the ZnO lattice without the formation of secondary phase. The oxygen vacancy of ZnCoNaO increased while the carrier concentration decreased compared with that of ZnCoO, leading to the enhancement of the ferromagnetic property in the ZnCoNaO. The observed ferromagnetism introduced by Na ions is attributed to the exchange interaction via the electron trapped oxygen vacancies coupled with the magnetic Co ions. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6824-7 Authors Hao Gu, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Yinzhu Jiang, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Yongbing Xu, York Laboratory of Spintronics and Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, The University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK Mi Yan, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Ferro- or piezoelectrets are dielectric materials with two elastically very different macroscopic phases and electrically charged interfaces between them. One of the newer piezoelectret variants is a system of two fluoroethylenepropylene (FEP) films that are first laminated around a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) template. Then, by removing the PTFE template, a two-layer FEP structure with open tubular channels is obtained. After electrical charging, the channels form easily deformable macroscopic electric dipoles whose changes under mechanical or electrical stress lead to significant direct or inverse piezoelectricity, respectively. Here, different PTFE templates are employed to generate channel geometries that vary in height or width. It is shown that the control of the channel geometry allows a direct adjustment of the resonance frequencies in the tubular-channel piezoelectrets. By combining several different channel widths in a single ferroelectret, it is possible to obtain multiple resonance peaks that may lead to a rather flat frequency-response region of the transducer material. A phenomenological relation between the resonance frequency and the geometrical parameters of a tubular channel is also presented. This relation may help to design piezoelectrets with a specific frequency response. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6848-z Authors Ruy Alberto Pisani Altafim, Department of Electrical Engineering, Engineering School of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil Ruy Alberto Corrêa Altafim, Department of Electrical Engineering, Engineering School of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil Xunlin Qiu, Applied Condensed-Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany Sebastian Raabe, Applied Condensed-Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany Werner Wirges, Applied Condensed-Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany Heitor Cury Basso, Department of Electrical Engineering, Engineering School of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil Reimund Gerhard, Applied Condensed-Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The morphological manipulation, structural characterization, and optical properties of different CdSe nanocrystals were reported. Several different CdSe nanostructures, including nanowires, tetrapod crystals, and nanoparticles were grown by varying the volume ratio of triethylenetetraamine (TETA) and water (WA) in their mixed solution. By manipulating the growth driving force (i.e., the degree of supersaturation) and kinetics of the process (i.e., growth rate), the morphology and crystal structure of CdSe nanocrystals can be tailored. Growth driving force changed their morphology from nanowires to tetrapod structures and from the latter structure to nanoparticles. Moreover, kinetics of the process altered their crystal structure from wurtzite to zinc blende. The optical property of CdSe nanocrystals was investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy. The absorption edge of CdSe nanostructures showed a blue shift. CdSe nanocrystals prepared under optimized conditions showed good microstructural and optical properties for solar cell application. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6789-6 Authors M. R. Mohammadi, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Street, Tehran, Iran V. Zarghami, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Street, Tehran, Iran D. J. Fray, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, UK Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Free-standing optoelectronic graphene–CdS–graphene oxide (G–CdS–GO) composite papers were prepared by vacuum-assisted self-assembly. G–CdS hybrids were first prepared by a hydrothermal method and GO acts as a dispersant which makes it easier to disperse them to form relatively stable aqueous suspensions for fabricating paper. Transmission electron microscopy shows that CdS quantum dots (QDs) with an average size of approximately 1–2 nm were distributed uniformly on the graphene sheets. Photoluminescence measurements for the as-prepared G–CdS–GO composite paper showed that the surface defect related emissions of attached CdS QDs decrease and blue shift obviously due to the change in particle size and the interaction of the surface of the CdS QDs with both the GO and the graphene sheets. The resulting paper holds great potential for applications in thin film solar cells, sensors, diodes, and so on. Content Type Journal Article Category Rapid communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-6774-0 Authors Yong-Feng Li, Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001 China Yan-Zhen Liu, Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001 China Wen-Zhong Shen, Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001 China Yong-Gang Yang, Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001 China Mao-Zhang Wang, Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001 China Yue-Fang Wen, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    INMAP was first identified as an interphase nucleus and mitotic apparatus-associated protein that plays essential roles in the formation of the spindle and cell-cycle progression. Here, we report that INMAP might be conserved from prokaryotes to humans, is a truncated version of the RNA polymerase III subunit B POLR3B, and is up-regulated in several human cancer cell lines including HeLa, Bel-7402, HepG2 and BGC-823. Deletion analysis revealed that the 209–290 amino-acid region is necessary for the punctate distribution of INMAP in the nucleus. Furthermore, over-expression of INMAP inhibited the transcriptional activities of p53 and AP-1 in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that INMAP may function through the p53 and AP-1 pathways, thus providing a possible link of its activity with tumourigenesis. Integrating our data and those in previous studies, it can be concluded that INMAP plays dual functional roles in the coordination of mitotic kinetics with gene expression as well as in cell-fate determination and proliferation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1507-4 Authors Zhou Yunlei, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 People’s Republic of China Chen Zhe, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 People’s Republic of China Lei Yan, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 People’s Republic of China Wang Pengcheng, Beijing Key Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 People’s Republic of China Zheng Yanbo, The Institute of Medical Biotechnology (IMB) of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100050 People’s Republic of China Sun Le, AbMax Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Haidian, Beijing, 100085 People’s Republic of China Liang Qianjin, Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 People’s Republic of China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    The increased vascular calcification, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients has been associated with disturbances in mineral-bone metabolism. In order to determine markers of the vascular calcification frequently observed in these patients, blood samples of elderly male and female hemodialysis CKD patients were used to measure serum levels of: osteoprotegerin (OPG), total soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL), and fetuin-A by enzyme immunoassay; tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP-5b), and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) by immunoenzymometric assay; osteocalcin (OC) by ELISA; iPTH by immunoradiometric assay; 25(OH)D 3 and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , by I 125 radioimmunoassay; and calcium and phosphorus by photometric assay. Serum OPG, BAP, iPTH, phosphorus, and OC levels were higher and serum 25(OH)D 3 , 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , and fetuin-A levels lower in both male and female CKD patients than in their respective controls. Our results indicate that the bone formation and resorption parameters are altered in elderly male and female hemodialysis CKD patients. These changes may lead to vascular calcifications and cardiovascular complications, given that elevated OPG and OC levels and reduced fetuin-A levels are associated with cardiovascular events. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1500-y Authors Alvaro Osorio, Vascular Surgery Unit, Sanitas Hospital, Madrid, Spain Esperanza Ortega, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de Madrid s/n, 18012 Granada, Spain Jesús M. Torres, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de Madrid s/n, 18012 Granada, Spain Pilar Sanchez, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de Madrid s/n, 18012 Granada, Spain Estrella Ruiz-Requena, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de Madrid s/n, 18012 Granada, Spain Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disease characterised by vascular dysplasia and increased bleeding that affect 1 in 5,000 people world-wide. Pathology is linked to mutations in genes encoding components of the heteromeric transforming growth factor-beta receptor (TGF-beta) and SMAD signalling pathway. Indeed HHT1 and HHT2 result from mutations in the genes encoding endoglin and activin-like kinase 1 (ALK1), TGF-beta receptor components. However, the fundamental cellular defects underlying HHT is poorly understood. Previously using confocal microscopy and N -glycosylation analysis, we found evidence that defective trafficking of endoglin from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane is a mechanism underlying HHT1 in some patients. In this study, we used confocal microscopy to investigate whether a similar mechanism contributes to HHT2 pathology. To do this we expressed wild-type ALK1 and a number of HHT2 patient mutant variants as C-terminally tagged EGFP fusion proteins and tested their localisation in HeLa cells. We found that wild-type ALK1–EGFP was targeted predominantly to the plasma membrane, as evidenced by its colocalisation with the co-expressed HA-tagged endoglin. However, we found that in the majority of cases analysed the HHT2 patient mutant protein was retained within the ER as indicated by their colocalisation with the ER resident marker (calnexin) and lack of colocalisation with cell surface associated HA-endoglin. We conclude that defective trafficking and retention in the ER of mutant ALK1 protein is a possible mechanism of HHT2 in some patients. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1496-3 Authors Alistair N. Hume, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH UK Anne John, Departments of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates Nadia A. Akawi, Departments of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates Aydah M. Al-Awadhi, Departments of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates Sarah S. Al-Suwaidi, Departments of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates Lihadh Al-Gazali, Departments of Paediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates Bassam R. Ali, Departments of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Most studies using a hypercaloric diet to induce obesity have focused on the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates. Less concern has been given to the metabolism of amino acids, despite evidence of modifications in nitrogen metabolism during obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate amino acid metabolism in livers from cafeteria diet-induced obese rats. Blood parameters were analysed, and histological sections of livers were stained with Sudan III. The enzymatic activities of some enzymes were determined in liver homogenates. Gluconeogenesis, ureagenesis, and oxygen consumption were evaluated in rat livers perfused with glutamine, alanine, or ammonium chloride. Compared to control rats, cafeteria-fed rats demonstrated higher levels of triacylglycerol and glucose in the blood and greater accumulation of fat in livers. Gluconeogenesis and urea production in livers perfused with glutamine and alanine at higher concentrations showed a substantial reduction in cafeteria-fed rats. However, no significant difference was observed among groups perfused with ammonium chloride. The activities of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase, glutaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase in the livers were reduced in cafeteria-fed rats. Taken together, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that livers from cafeteria diet-induced obese rats exhibit a limitation in their maximal capacity to metabolise glutamine and alanine to glucose, ammonia, and urea, not because of an impairment in gluconeogenesis and/or ureagenesis, but rather due to a depression in the activities of enzymes that catalyse the initial steps of amino acid metabolism. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1499-0 Authors Cristiane Vizioli de Castro Ghizoni, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Fabiana Rodrigues Silva Gasparin, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Antonio Sueiti Maeda Júnior, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Fernando Olinto Carreño, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Rodrigo Polimeni Constantin, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Adelar Bracht, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Emy Luiza Ishii Iwamoto, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Jorgete Constantin, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Liver Metabolism, University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo 5790, 87020-900 Maringá, Paraná, Brazil Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    The nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction is associated with the pathogenesis of nasal allergy; the causative factors are to be further elucidated. Ubiquitin E3 ligase TNFIAP3 (TNFIAP3, in short) plays a role in the maintenance of the homeostasis in the body. This study aims to elucidate the role of TNFIAP3 in the degradation of endocytic substances in nasal epithelial cells. The nasal epithelial cell line, RPMI 2650 cells (RPC), was cultured into monolayers in transwells. The endocytosis of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) by RPC monolayers was assessed by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The endocytosis of SEB-triggered endosome/lysosome fusion was observed by immunocytochemistry. The results showed that RPC monolayers expressed TNFIAP3 upon the endocytosis of SEB. Deficiency of TNFIAP3 resulted in abundant SEBs being transported to the basal chambers of transwells via the intracellular pathway. In the TNFIAP3-sufficient RPC, SEB-carrying endosomes fused with lysosomes were observed. The TNFIAP3-deficient RPC showed few SEB-carrying endosomes fused with lysosomes. In summary, TNFIAP3 plays an important role in tethering endosomes to lysosomes in RPC. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1495-4 Authors Xingqiang Gao, Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital Affiliated Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003 Fujian Province, China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Diabetes is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Mechanisms that contribute to development of diabetic cardiopathy are not well understood. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a family of protein kinases that play an important role in regulation of cardiac function. It has been shown that inhibition of certain PI3K enzymes may produce cardiovascular protection. The aim of the present study was to determine whether chronic treatment with LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, can attenuate diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction in isolated hearts obtained from normotensive and hypertensive rats. Recovery of cardiac function after 40 min of global ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion, measured as left ventricular developed pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, coronary flow and coronary vascular resistance, was worse in hearts obtained from diabetic and/or hypertensive animals compared to their respective controls. Treatment with LY294002 (1.2 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks significantly prevented diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. Treatment with LY294002 did not significantly alter blood pressure or blood glucose levels. These results suggest that inhibition of PI3K signaling pathways can prevent ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac dysfunction in normotensive and hypertensive rats without correcting hyperglycemia or high blood pressure. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1497-2 Authors Ibrahim F. Benter, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait Ibrahim Al-Rashdan, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait Jasbir S. Juggi, Faculty of Allied Health, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait Mariam H. M. Yousif, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait Saghir Akhtar, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Recent studies have demonstrated that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in stem cell aging. However, the mechanisms of cell senescence induced by Wnt/β-catenin signaling are still poorly understood. Our preliminary study has indicated that activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling can induce MSC aging. In this study, we reported that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling was a potent activator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in MSCs. After scavenging ROS with N -acetylcysteine, Wnt/β-catenin signaling-induced MSC aging was significantly attenuated and the DNA damage and the expression of p16 INK4A , p53, and p21 were reduced in MSCs. These results indicated that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling could induce MSC aging through promoting the intracellular production of ROS, and ROS may be the main mediators of MSC aging induced by excessive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1498-1 Authors Da-yong Zhang, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Yu Pan, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Chong Zhang, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Bing-xi Yan, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Shan-shan Yu, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Dong-ling Wu, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Meng-meng Shi, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Kai Shi, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Xin-xiao Cai, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Shuang-shuang Zhou, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Jun-bo Wang, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Jian-ping Pan, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Li-huang Zhang, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Zhejiang University City College, 51 Huzhou Street, Hangzhou, 310015 People’s Republic of China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Hyperglycemia is the major cause of diabetic angiopathy. Sarpogrelate hydrochloride is an antiplatelet drug, and expected to be useful in the treatment of chronic arterial occlusive diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible effects of sarpogrelate hydrochloride on adhesion molecule expression and its underlying mechanism in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined after endothelial cells were exposed to high glucose in the absence and presence of sarpogrelate hydrochloride. Coincubation of endothelial cells with high glucose for 24 h resulted in a significant increase of monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion and the expression of ICAM-1 ( P  〈 0.01). These effects were abolished by sarpogrelate hydrochloride and sarpogrelate hydrochloride significantly increased SOD activities (40 ± 8 vs. 47 ± 7, n  = 8, P  〈 0.01). The low dose sarpogrelate group (0.1 μM) had significantly higher monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion and the expression of ICAM-1 than medium dose sarpogrelate group (1.0 μM) and high dose sarpogrelate group (10.0 μM) ( P  〈 0.05 for comparison among three groups and P  〈 0.01 for difference between low and high dose sarpogrelate groups). These findings suggested that sarpogrelate hydrochloride was able to protect vascular endothelium from dysfunction induced by high glucose. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1490-9 Authors Ying Su, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang, Harbin, 150001 China Nan Mao, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang, Harbin, 150001 China Min Li, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang, Harbin, 150001 China Xia Dong, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang, Harbin, 150001 China Fan-Zhen Lin, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang, Harbin, 150001 China Ying Xu, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang, Harbin, 150001 China Yan-Bo Li, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang, Harbin, 150001 China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    In addition of being an important inflammatory biomarker and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, much evidence indicates that the C-reactive protein (CRP) contributes to the atherosclerosis development process. This plasmatic protein synthesized by hepatocytes in response to inflammation and tissue injury induces pro-inflammatory molecules' expression by endothelial cells (ECs). Previous studies showed that the 17β-estradiol (E2) has beneficial effects on vascular cells by reducing in vitro pro-inflammatory molecules expressions in EC. Therefore, we hypothesize that E2 blocks or reduces CRP-mediated inflammatory responses by modulating endogenous production of CRP in EC and/or activation mechanisms. Using human aortic ECs (HAECs), we first evaluated CRP production by vascular EC and second demonstrated its self-induction. Indeed, recombinant human CRP stimulation induces a fivefold increase of CRP expression. A 1-h pre-treatment of E2 at a physiologic dose (10 −9  M) leads to an important decrease of CRP production suggesting a partial blockage of its amplification loop mechanism. Furthermore, in HAEC, E2 reduces the secretion of the most potent agonist of CRP induction, the IL-6, by 21 %. E2 pre-treatment also decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules IL-8, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 induced by CRP and involved in leukocytes recruitment. In addition, we demonstrated that E2 could restore vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated EC migration response impaired by CRP suggesting another pro-angiogenic property of this hormone. These findings suggest that E2 can interfere with CRP pro-inflammatory effects via activation signals using its rapid, non-genomic pathway that may provide a new mechanism to improve vascular repair. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1482-9 Authors Émilie Cossette, Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger Street, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada Isabelle Cloutier, Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger Street, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada Kim Tardif, Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger Street, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada Geneviève DonPierre, Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger Street, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada Jean-François Tanguay, Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Bélanger Street, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Sarcoplasmic and t-tubule membrane proteins regulating sarcoplasmic Ca 2+ concentration exhibit fibre-type-dependent isoform expression, and play central roles in muscle contraction and relaxation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of in vitro electrical stimulation on the mRNA expression of components involved in Ca 2+ regulation in oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscle. The mRNA level of Ca 2+ -ATPase (SERCA1, 2), calsequestrin (CASQ1, 2), ryanodine receptor (RyR1), and dihydropyridine receptor (Cacna1) was assessed in rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles at 4 h of recovery following in vitro stimulations (either short intensive (SHO) 60 Hz, 5 min, or prolonged moderate (PRO) 20 Hz, 40 min). Stimulation induced acute regulation of the mRNA level of Ca 2+ -regulating proteins in a manner that does not follow typical fibre-type-specific transitions. In general, stimulation decreased mRNA content of all proteins studied. Most prominent down-regulation was observed for Cacna1 (26 and 32 % after SHO and PRO, respectively, in SOL; 19 % after SHO in EDL). SERCA1, SERCA2, CASQ1, CASQ2, and RyR1 mRNA content also decreased significantly in both muscles relative to resting control. Of notice is that hexokinase II mRNA content was increased in EDL and unchanged in SOL underlining the specificity of the down-regulation of mRNA of Ca 2+ regulatory proteins. The results demonstrate contraction-induced down-regulation of mRNAs for the main components of Ca 2+ -regulating system in skeletal muscle. The down-regulation of both isoforms of SERCA and CASQ after a single electrical stimulation session suggests that adaptations to repeated stimulation involve further regulatory mechanisms in addition to acute mRNA responses. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1486-5 Authors Satu Mänttäri, Department of Biology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, 90014 Oulu, Finland Niels Ørtenblad, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark Klavs Madsen, Department of Public Health—Sport Science, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark Henriette Pilegaard, Department of Biology, Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism and Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, University of Copenhagen, 2199 Copenhagen, Denmark Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    SASH1, a member of the SLY-family of signal adapter proteins, is a candidate tumor suppressor in breast and colon cancer. The SASH1 protein possesses both the SH3 and SAM domains, indicating that it may play an important role in intracellular signal transduction. Reduced expression of SASH1 is closely related to tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis. However, the biological role of SASH1 remains unknown in osteosarcoma. To unravel the function of SASH1, we explored the expression of SASH1 in osteosarcoma tissues and its correlation to the clinical pathology of osteosarcoma and analyzed the relationship between SASH1 expression and cell cycle, apoptosis and invasion of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, using the flow cytometry analysis and transwell invasion chamber experiments. Furthermore, the effect of SASH1 on the expression of cyclin D1, caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were observed by western blot. Our results showed that the expression rate of SASH1 mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues was significantly lower than that in normal bone tissue ( p  = 0.000), that the expression rate of SASH1 mRNA in the carcinoma tissues from patients with lung metastasis was significantly lower than that from patients without lung metastasis ( p  = 0.041), and that the expression rate of SASH1 mRNA also decreased with increasing Enneking stage ( p  = 0.032). However, the mRNA expression of SASH1 in osteosarcoma was independent of the patient’s gender, age, and tumor size ( p  = 0.983, 0.343, 0.517, respectively). The SASH1 protein displayed a down-regulation in osteosarcoma tissues compared to normal bone tissue ( p  = 0.000), displayed a down-regulation in osteosarcoma tissues from patients with lung metastasis compared to from patients without lung metastasis ( p  = 0.000), and displayed a gradual decrease with increasing Enneking stage ( p  = 0.000). In addition, the MG-63 cells from pcDNA3.1-SASH1 group exhibited significantly reduced cell viability, proliferation, and invasive ability compared to the empty vector group and blank control group ( p  = 0.023, 0.001, respectively), and there was no difference between the empty vector group and blank control group. The pcDNA3.1-SASH1 group displayed significantly more apoptotic cells than the empty vector group and blank control group ( p  = 0.004). The expression of cyclin D1, MMP-9 displayed a down-regulation in MG-63 cells from pcDNA3.1-SASH1 group compared to the empty vector group and blank control group ( p  = 0.000, 0.001, respectively) and the expression levels of caspase-3 displayed an up-regulation in MG-63 cells from pcDNA3.1-SASH1 group compared to the empty vector group and blank control group ( p  = 0.000). Taken together, these data indicated that the overexpression of SASH1 might be associated with the inhibition of growth, proliferation, and invasion of MG-63 cells and the promotion of apoptosis of MG-63 cells. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1491-8 Authors Qingbing Meng, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Minqian Zheng, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Hongbing Liu, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Changzhi Song, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Wensheng Zhang, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Juan Yan, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Ling Qin, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Xiaolan Liu, Orthopedics Department, Yancheng City No. 1 People’s Hospital, 16 Yue-He Road, Yancheng, 224005 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo ameliorative antioxidant potential of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). In vitro antioxidant activity of synthetic SDG was carried out using DPPH, reducing power potency, and DNA protection assays. Wistar albino rats weighing 180–220 g were used for in vivo studies and liver damage was induced in the experimental animals by a single intraperitoneal (I.P.) injection of CCl 4 (2 g/kg b.w.). Intoxicated animals were treated orally with synthetic SDG at (12.5 and 25 mg/kg b.w.) and Silymarin (25 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. The levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), and lipid peroxidase (LPO) were measured in liver and kidney homogenates. The synthetic SDG exerts high in vitro antioxidant potency as it could scavenge DPPH at a IC 50 value of 78.9 μg/ml and has dose-dependent reducing power potency and protected DNA at 0.5 mg/ml concentration. Oral administration of synthetic SDG at 12.5 and 25 mg/kg b.w. showed significant protection compared to Silymarin (25 mg/kg) and the activities of CAT, SOD, and POX were markedly increased ( P  〈 0.05), whereas LPO significantly decreased ( P  〈 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner in liver and kidney in both pre- and post-treatment groups when compared to toxin-treated group. The results of in vitro and in vivo investigations revealed that synthetic SDG at 25 mg/kg b.w. is associated with beneficial changes in hepatic enzyme activities and thereby plays a key role in the prevention of oxidative damage in immunologic system. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1487-4 Authors Sadiq S. Moree, Department of Biochemistry, Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore, Mysore, 570005 Karnataka, India J. Rajesha, Department of Biochemistry, Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore, Mysore, 570005 Karnataka, India Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Marked sex-dependent differences in mitochondrial function and redox status have been found in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of control rats. Insulin also plays a role in the development and maintenance of this tissue. The aim was to investigate sexual dimorphism in the effects of diet-induced obesity on BAT mitochondrial function, as well as on insulin signaling pathway. 10-week-old Wistar rats of both sexes were fed a control diet or a palatable high-fat diet for 26 weeks. Serum markers of insulin sensitivity were analyzed. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, mitochondrial oxidative activities, PGC-1α mRNA levels, as well as the protein levels of insulin receptor subunit β (IRβ), glucose transporter GLUT4, β 3 -adrenergic receptor (β 3 -AR), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX IV), and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) were measured in BAT. Obese females showed impaired systemic insulin sensitivity accompanied by diminished IRβ, GLUT4, and β 3 -AR protein levels in BAT. In addition, TFAM and COX IV protein and PGC-1α mRNA levels decreased in obese females, whereas mtDNA levels increased. In obese males, oxidative and thermogenic capacities rose and no significant changes were observed in the insulin signaling pathway elements. The reduction of the insulin signaling pathway in BAT of obese females may be responsible, at least partially, for the impaired biogenesis process, which could favor the increase of body weight found in this sex. In contrast, the enhanced mitochondrial functionality in the BAT of males would avoid increased oxidative damage and the impairment of insulin signaling. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1481-x Authors A. Nadal-Casellas, Grup de Metabolisme Energètic i Nutrició, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Cra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain M. Bauzá-Thorbrügge, Grup de Metabolisme Energètic i Nutrició, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Cra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain A. M. Proenza, Grup de Metabolisme Energètic i Nutrició, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Cra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain M. Gianotti, Grup de Metabolisme Energètic i Nutrició, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Cra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain I. Lladó, Grup de Metabolisme Energètic i Nutrició, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Cra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    To investigate the combined effect of aliskiren, a renin inhibitor, and AVE 0991, a Mas-receptor agonist, in experimental hypertension (HT) in rats. HT was produced by administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was assessed by tail-cuff method. Treatments were started from 4th week onwards and were continued for 9 days. A significant increase in MABP was noted after 1 week in DOCA control rats, as compared with the base line value. A stable HT developed after 4 weeks of DOCA administration. Treatments with aliskiren and AVE 0991 alone, dose-dependently decreased MABP in DOCA-treated rats. Further, combination of low doses of aliskiren and AVE 0991 significantly reduced MABP, as compared with DOCA control rats and with either drug alone in low doses. It may be concluded that treatment with aliskiren produced down-regulation of both harmful Ang II–AT1-receptor and survival Ang(1–7)/Mas-receptor axis of RAAS. Treatment with combination of low doses of aliskiren and AVE 0991, for the first time, has been shown to produce synergistic blood pressure lowering effect. Therefore, combination of renin inhibitor with Mas-receptor agonist may prove beneficial for the treatment of hypertensive patients. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1489-2 Authors Yogendra Singh, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142 001 Punjab, India Kulwinder Singh, University Institute of Pharmacy, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, 151 203 Punjab, India P. L. Sharma, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142 001 Punjab, India Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Ultra-thin anodic aluminum oxide membranes were prepared and served as deposition masks for fabrication of uniformly sized Ag nanodots with different aspect ratios on glass substrates. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of the supported Ag nanodots were investigated and compared with the predictions of the generalized Maxwell–Garnett theory. By modeling the nanodots as spheroids without adjusting their real geometrical parameters input to the calculation, the resulting theoretical SPR wavelengths are in good agreement with measured extinction peaks. The discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental plasmon resonance peak maxima is within 10 nm for the nanodots with an aspect ratio of less than 1.5. Although this wavelength discrepancy becomes large as the aspect ratio is increased, it is kept at approximately 35 nm for the nanodots with an aspect ratio of 2.44. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7404-6 Authors I-Chen Chen, Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, 320 Taiwan Yen-Hsun Chen, Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, 320 Taiwan Yu-Cian Wang, Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, 320 Taiwan Meng-Hong Shih, Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, 320 Taiwan Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Superluminal transmission of electromagnetic waves is usually observed in a narrow bandwidth range and the velocity outside this range is subluminal. In this paper, it is shown that the transmission coefficient for superluminal propagation through a periodic metamaterial structure satisfies a sum rule. The sum rule and its corresponding physical bound relate frequency regions with a phase velocity above an arbitrary threshold with the thickness of the slab. The theoretical results are illustrated with numerical examples. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7407-3 Authors Mats Gustafsson, Department of Electrical and Information Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Optical devices for the terahertz wave band are being developed now and require better designs. This paper proposes an artificial dielectric lens with metallic corrugated structures for the terahertz wave band. A periodic analysis model extracted from the full model by assuming periodicity confirms the phase delay, which produces the focusing effect. Full model analysis also confirms the focusing effect. The full model analysis also confirms that the focusing length is longer as the spacing of corrugated baffles is wider. The focusing length is longer the metallic groove width is wider. The focusing length is longer as the groove depth is shallower. The lens shape without grooves does not produce the focusing effect. The results of the full model analysis are qualitatively consistent with those of the periodic model ones. This implies that the design for an exact size lens is possible by using the periodic model. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7394-4 Authors Takuya Konno, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan Takahiro Suzuki, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan John C. Young, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0046, USA Mikio Saigusa, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan Keisuke Takano, Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan Hideaki Kitahara, Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan Masanori Hangyo, Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan Takehito Suzuki, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ibaraki University, 4-12-1 Nakanarusawa, Hitachi, Ibaraki 316-8511, Japan Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been produced by the tunneling of cobalt nanoparticles in carbon fibers that are derived from electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. During annealing, the PAN fibers transform to a composite of cobalt nanodroplets and carbon fibers. Driven by the high chemical potential of wrinkled graphene platelets and amorphous carbon with respect to graphite, the cobalt nanodroplets are to tunnel in the carbon fibers. When cobalt nanodroplets have an elongated shape, carbon atoms dissolved in the droplets precipitate preferentially and completely at their lateral sides, producing perfect CNTs that form bulk structures. Content Type Journal Article Category Rapid communication Pages 1-3 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7398-0 Authors J. L. Li, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228 China H. T. Ye, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET UK Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    We investigate terahertz plasmon–polariton (PP) resonances for hetero-structures (AlGaN/GaN, SiGe/Si/SiGe, AlGaAs/GaAs, and InAlN/GaN) with a grating coupler in order to find the overall optimal structure showing the strongest absorption for terahertz detection (THz). We show by a parametric study (influence of geometric dimensions, electron concentration, temperature, etc.) that refined and intense resonances can be obtained at specific frequency. GaN based heterostructures present the higher PP resonances at room temperature. The roles of the finite thicknesses of lossy metal grating and a two-dimensional gas (2DEG) layer on observed absorption are also investigated. Absorption spectra for three kinds of heterogeneous charge density profiles (piecewise, linear, and parabolic) of 2DEG was investigated and compared for an AlGaAs/GaAs structure because some physical parameters such as the Fermi level pinning at the interface semiconductor/air are well established only for this heterostructure. We show that the PP resonance (amplitude and frequency position) is modulated by the charge concentration but also by the metallization biasing. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7371-y Authors L. Cao, Institut d’Electronique Fondamentale, CNRS UMR 8622, Université Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France A.-S. Grimault-Jacquin, Institut d’Electronique Fondamentale, CNRS UMR 8622, Université Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France F. Aniel, Institut d’Electronique Fondamentale, CNRS UMR 8622, Université Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are flexible lightweight actuators that can generate strains of over 100 %. They are used in applications ranging from haptic feedback (mm-sized devices), to cm-scale soft robots, to meter-long blimps. DEAs consist of an electrode-elastomer-electrode stack, placed on a frame. Applying a voltage between the electrodes electrostatically compresses the elastomer, which deforms in-plane or out-of plane depending on design. Since the electrodes are bonded to the elastomer, they must reliably sustain repeated very large deformations while remaining conductive, and without significantly adding to the stiffness of the soft elastomer. The electrodes are required for electrostatic actuation, but also enable resistive and capacitive sensing of the strain, leading to self-sensing actuators. This review compares the different technologies used to make compliant electrodes for DEAs in terms of: impact on DEA device performance (speed, efficiency, maximum strain), manufacturability, miniaturization, the integration of self-sensing and self-switching, and compatibility with low-voltage operation. While graphite and carbon black have been the most widely used technique in research environments, alternative methods are emerging which combine compliance, conduction at over 100 % strain with better conductivity and/or ease of patternability, including microfabrication-based approaches for compliant metal thin-films, metal-polymer nano-composites, nanoparticle implantation, and reel-to-reel production of μm-scale patterned thin films on elastomers. Such electrodes are key to miniaturization, low-voltage operation, and widespread commercialization of DEAs. Content Type Journal Article Category Invited paper Pages 1-27 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7402-8 Authors Samuel Rosset, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Herbert R. Shea, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Compact plasmonic structures made of gold nanoparticles chains are inserted on silicon optical waveguides. We show that silicon-on-insulator waveguide TE mode energy can be almost totally transferred in a 5 gold nanoparticles plasmonic chain, and that this short chain can also behave as a waveguide. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7406-4 Authors M. Fevrier, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ. Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France P. Gogol, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ. Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France A. Aassime, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ. Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France D. Bouville, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ. Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France R. Megy, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ. Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France B. Dagens, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ. Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Novel concepts of nonlinear-optical (NLO) photonic metamaterials (MMs) are proposed. They concern with greatly enhanced coherent NLO energy exchange between ordinary and backward waves (BWs) through the frequency-conversion processes. Two different classes of materials which support BWs are considered: crystals that support optical phonons with negative group velocity and MMs with specially engineered spatial dispersion. The possibility to replace plasmonic NLO MMs enabling magnetic response at optical frequencies, which are very challenging to engineer, by the ordinary readily available crystals, are discussed. The possibility to mimic extraordinary NLO frequency-conversion propagation processes attributed to negative-index MMs (NIMs) is shown in some of such crystals, if optical phonons with negative group velocity and a proper phase-matching geometry are implemented. Here, optical phonons are used as one of the coupled counterparts instead of backward electromagnetic waves (BEMWs). The appearance of BEMWs in metaslabs made of carbon nanotubes, the possibilities and extraordinary properties of BW second harmonic generation in such MMs is another option of nonmagnetic NIMs, which is described too. Among the applications of the proposed photonic materials is the possibility of creation of a family of unique BW photonic devices such as frequency doubling metamirror and Raman amplifiers with greatly improved efficiency. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7390-8 Authors Alexander K. Popov, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481, USA Mikhail I. Shalaev, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation Sergey A. Myslivets, Institute of Physics of Russian Academy of Sciences, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation Vitaly V. Slabko, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation Igor S. Nefedov, SMARAD Center of Excellence, Aalto University, 00076 Aalto, Finland Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    We show that the metal nanoparticle chains supporting localized surface plasmon resonance can behave as transmission Bragg gratings on a dielectric waveguide. An analytical model is developed to interpret the experimental results. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7395-3 Authors M. Fevrier, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France P. Gogol, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France A. Aassime, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France R. Megy, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France D. Bouville, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France J. M. Lourtioz, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France B. Dagens, Laboratoire IEF, UMR 8622, Univ Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Modeling of ion-implanted boron redistribution in silicon crystals during low-temperature annealing with a small thermal budget has been carried out. It was shown that formation of “tails” in the low-concentration region of impurity profiles occurs due to the long-range migration of boron interstitials. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7378-4 Authors O. I. Velichko, Department of Physics, Belorussian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, 6, P. Brovki Street, Minsk, 220013 Belarus A. P. Kavaliova, Department of Physics, Belorussian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, 6, P. Brovki Street, Minsk, 220013 Belarus Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Sulforaphane (SFN), a component of dietary cruciferous vegetables has been characterized for its anti-proliferative properties. We have recently demonstrated that pancreatic CSCs display activation of sonic hedgehog pathway which are fundamental drivers of stem cell renewal, and SFN inhibits the self-renewal of pancreatic CSCs in vitro. Consistent with these observations, we sought to determine the chemopreventive potential of SFN in an in vivo setting. We show here for the first time that sulforaphane treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the tumor growth of orthotopically implanted primary pancreatic CSCs isolated from human pancreatic tumors into the pancreas of NOD/SCID/IL2Rgamma mice, which is mediated through the modulation of Sonic hedgehog–GLI signaling. Hedgehog pathway blockade by SFN at a dose of 20 mg/kg resulted in a 45 % reduction in growth of pancreatic cancer tumors and reduced expression of Shh pathway components, Smo, Gli 1, and Gli 2 in mouse tissues. Further, SFN inhibited the expression of pluripotency maintaining transcription factors Nanog and Oct-4 and angiogenic markers VEGF and PDGFRα which are downstream targets of Gli transcription. Furthermore, SFN treatment resulted in a significant reduction in EMT markers Zeb-1, which correlated with increase in E-Cadherin expression suggesting the blockade of signaling involved in early metastasis. Interestingly, SFN downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and XIAP to induce apoptosis. These data demonstrate that, at a tolerable dose, inhibition of Shh pathway by SFN results in marked reduction in EMT, metastatic, angiogenic markers with significant inhibition in tumor growth in mice. Since aberrant Shh signaling occurs in pancreatic tumorigenesis, therapeutics that target Shh pathway may improve the outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer by targeting CSCs, thus suggesting the use of sulforaphane to further improve preventive and therapeutic approaches in patients with this devastating disease. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1493-6 Authors Shih-Hui Li, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA Junsheng Fu, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA Dara Nall Watkins, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA Rakesh K. Srivastava, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, and Medicine, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA Sharmila Shankar, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton is crucial for biological processes such as cell migration and cell spreading. S100A10 is a member of the S100 protein family and is involved in intracellular trafficking and cell migration. In this study, we examined the role of S100A10 in actin cytoskeletal organization and cell spreading. Depletion of S100A10 induced disruption of stress fiber formation and delay in cell spreading. Rac1 activation during spreading was suppressed by S100A10 knockdown, and exogenous expression of active Rac1 restored the ability of cells to spread in the absence of S100A10. Our results demonstrate the crucial role of S100A10 in actin dynamics promoting cell spreading via Rac1 activation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1509-2 Authors Shurovi Sayeed, Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550 Japan Eri Asano, Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550 Japan Satoko Ito, Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550 Japan Kinji Ohno, Division of Neurogenetics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550 Japan Michinari Hamaguchi, Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550 Japan Takeshi Senga, Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550 Japan Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    We have designed a flat graded index lens made from a metallic graded 2D photonic crystal. The gradient of index has been obtained by varying the filling factor of a flat slab of photonic crystal in the direction perpendicular to that of the propagation of the electromagnetic field. This gradient has been designed in such a way that the flat slab focuses a plane wave. With applications in the microwave range in view, we considered a photonic crystal which consists of copper strips. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7386-4 Authors Fabian Gaufillet, Institut d’Électronique Fondamentale, UMR8622, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France Éric Akmansoy, Institut d’Électronique Fondamentale, UMR8622, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, 91405 France Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    This paper presents a method to improve the circular polarization of an Archimedean spiral antenna placed over a radial Artificial Magnetic Conductor (AMC). Results have been compared with the same radiating element over a more classical AMC reflector. A prototype of an Archimedean two-wire spiral antenna has been built to operate from 0.5 GHz to 6 GHz. Measurement results with this radial AMC give a relative bandwidth of 79 %, in which the broadside RHCP gain is improved. In this bandwidth the axial ratio of Archimedean spiral antenna placed over a radial AMC is less than 2 dB whereas it is higher than 3 dB with a classical cartesian shape of AMC reflector. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7401-9 Authors M. Grelier, Institut Mines-Telecom, Telecom ParisTech—LTCI CNRS UMR 5141, 46 rue Barrault, 75634 Paris Cedex 13, France C. Djoma, Institut Mines-Telecom, Telecom ParisTech—LTCI CNRS UMR 5141, 46 rue Barrault, 75634 Paris Cedex 13, France M. Jousset, Thales Systèmes Aéroportés, 10 avenue de la 1ère DFL, 29238 Brest Cedex 3, France S. Mallégol, Thales Systèmes Aéroportés, 10 avenue de la 1ère DFL, 29238 Brest Cedex 3, France A. C. Lepage, Institut Mines-Telecom, Telecom ParisTech—LTCI CNRS UMR 5141, 46 rue Barrault, 75634 Paris Cedex 13, France X. Begaud, Institut Mines-Telecom, Telecom ParisTech—LTCI CNRS UMR 5141, 46 rue Barrault, 75634 Paris Cedex 13, France Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    In this paper we study the electro-optical behavior and the application of indium–tin oxide (ITO) and aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) bilayer thin films for silicon solar cells. ITO–AZO bilayer thin films were deposited on glass substrates using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The experimental results show that a decrease in the electrical resistivity of the ITO–AZO bilayer thin films has been achieved without significant degradation of optical properties. In the best case the resistivity of the bilayer films reached a minimum of 5.075×10 −4  Ω cm when the thickness of the AZO buffer layer was 12 nm. The ITO–AZO bilayer films were applied as the front electrodes of amorphous silicon solar cells and the short-circuit current density of the solar cells was considerably increased. Content Type Journal Article Category Rapid communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7431-3 Authors Chao Wang, Henan Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 P.R. China Yanli Mao, Henan Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials, School of Physics and Electronics, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 P.R. China Xiangbo Zeng, Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    In this paper, the effect of coupling two kinds of metamaterial cells with a coil to achieve Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is investigated. Both an array of four spirals then a single spiral-shaped metamaterial are put on the top of the coil antenna. These metamaterial based resonant structures are designed to work at 63 MHz. They are intended to increase the sensitivity of the whole system and to improve the homogeneity of the RF magnetic field pattern. The spiral-shaped metamaterials added on the top of the antenna gave very promising numerical results. The calculated magnetic fields are homogeneous and their magnitudes are multiplied by factor of 4 up to 6. We are fabricating both structures using microfabrication techniques because of the small size of the structures. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7408-2 Authors M. S. Khennouche, IEF, University of Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France F. Gadot, IEF, University of Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France B. Belier, IEF, University of Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France A. de Lustrac, IEF, University of Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Formation of periodic subwavelength ripples on a metallic tungsten surface is investigated through a line-scribing method under the irradiation of 800 nm, 50 fs to 8 ps ultra-short laser pulses. The distinctive features of the induced ripple structures are described in detail with different laser parameters. Experimental measurements reveal that with gradual decrease of the laser fluence, the pulse duration or the scanning speed, the ripple period is inclined to reduce but the ripple depth tends to become pronounced. Theoretical analyses suggest that the transient dielectric function change of the tungsten surface mainly originates from the nonequilibrium distribution of electrons due to the d -band transitions. A sandwich-like physical model of air–plasma–target is proposed and the excitation of a surface plasmon polaritonic (SPP) wave is supposed to occur on the interface between the metallic target and the electron plasma layer. Formation of ripples can be eventually attributed to the laser–SPP interference. Theoretical interpretations are consistent with the experimental observations. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7261-3 Authors Lu Xue, Key Laboratory of Optical Information Science and Technology, Education Ministry of China, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Jianjun Yang, Key Laboratory of Optical Information Science and Technology, Education Ministry of China, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Yang Yang, Key Laboratory of Optical Information Science and Technology, Education Ministry of China, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Yishan Wang, State Key Laboratory of Transient Optics and Photonics, Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China Xiaonong Zhu, Key Laboratory of Optical Information Science and Technology, Education Ministry of China, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    A composite of graphene (GE) supported by rod-like Fe 3 O 4 nanocrystals has been fabricated by a simple one-step chemical route. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results show that the Fe 3 O 4 nanorods with diameters in the range of 15–20 nm and lengths of 150–200 nm were firmly assembled on the GE nanosheet surface. Magnetic property investigation indicated that the Fe 3 O 4 /GE composites exhibit a ferromagnetic behavior and possess a saturation magnetization of 50.11 emu g −1 . Moreover, Fe 3 O 4 /GE composites showed a very high adsorption capacity of Congo red. Content Type Journal Article Category Rapid communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7278-7 Authors Xiao-hua Jia, School of the Environment, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China Hao-Jie Song, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China Chun-ying Min, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China Xue-Qiang Zhang, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    A contact transient electrothermal technique (CTET) is developed to characterize the thermal transport between one-dimensional conductive and nonconductive microscale wires that are in point contact. This technique is a significant advance from the transient electrothermal method that is used to characterize the thermophysical properties of individual one-dimensional micro-wires. A steady-state analytical solution and a transient numerical solution are used to independently determine the value for the thermal contact resistance between the wires at the contact point. The CTET technique is applied to measurement of the thermal contact resistance between crossed Pt wires (25.4 μm diameter) and the thermal contact resistance between a glass fiber (8.9 μm diameter) in contact with a Pt wire (25.4 μm diameter). For Pt wire contact, the thermal contact resistance increases from 8.94×10 4 to 7.05×10 5  K/W when the heating current changes from 20 to 50 mA. For the Pt/glass fiber contact, the thermal contact resistance is much larger (2.83×10 6  K/W), mainly due to the smaller area at the contact point. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7177-y Authors Nathan Van Velson, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2010 Black Engineering Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA Xinwei Wang, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2010 Black Engineering Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Optical conductivity of a zigzag carbon nanotube is investigated in the context of the Holstein model. Green’s function approach is applied to calculate the optical conductivity as a function of photon frequency, temperature, and electron–phonon coupling strength. Based on our results, optical conductivity decreases with electron–phonon coupling constant for both metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. Our results show that temperature yields shortening the height of peaks of zigzag CNT optical absorption. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7178-x Authors Hamed Rezania, Department of Physics, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran Farid Taherkhani, Department of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The dielectric constant is an essential electrical parameter to the achievable voltage-induced deformation of the dielectric elastomer. This paper primarily focuses on the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant (within the range of 173 K to 373 K) for the most widely used acrylic dielectric elastomer (VHB 4910). First the dielectric constant was investigated experimentally with the broadband dielectric spectrometer (BDS). Results showed that the dielectric constant first increased with temperature up to a peak value and then dropped to a relative small value. Then by analyzing the fitted curves, the Cole–Cole dispersion equation was found better to characterize the rising process before the peak values than the Debye dispersion equation, while the decrease process afterward can be well described by the simple Debye model. Finally, a mathematical model of dielectric constant of VHB 4910 was obtained from the fitted results which can be used to further probe the electromechanical stability of the dielectric elastomers. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7254-2 Authors Junjie Sheng, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China Hualing Chen, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China Bo Li, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China Longfei Chang, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is the dominant global cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially hepatitis B virus-X (HBx) plays a major role in this process. HBx protein promotes cell cycle progression, inactivates negative growth regulators, and binds to and inhibits the expression of p53 tumor suppressor gene and other tumor suppressor genes and senescence-related factors. However, the relationship between HBx and autophagy during the HCC development is poorly known. Previous studies found that autophagy functions as a survival mechanism in liver cancer cells. We suggest that autophagy plays a possible role in the pathogenesis of HBx-induced HCC. The present study showed that HBx transfection brought about an increase in the formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, Beclin 1, and lysosome-associated membrane protein 2a were up-regulated after HBx transfection. HBx-induced increase in the autophagic level was increased by mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and was blocked by treatment with the PI3K–Akt inhibitor LY294002. The same results can also be found in HepG2.2.15 cells. These results suggest that HBx activates the autophagic lysosome pathway in HepG-2 cells through the PI3K–Akt–mTOR pathway. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1457-x Authors Peng Wang, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004 People’s Republic of China Qing-song Guo, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 People’s Republic of China Zhi-wei Wang, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 People’s Republic of China Hai-xin Qian, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004 People’s Republic of China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Emerging evidences demonstrate that excess aldosterone and insulin interact at target tissues. It has been shown that increased levels of aldosterone contribute to the development of insulin resistance and thus act as a risk factor for the development of type-2 diabetes mellitus. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this scenario are yet to be identified. This study was designed to assess the dose-dependent effects of aldosterone on insulin signal transduction and glucose oxidation in the skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius) of adult male rat. Healthy adult male albino rats of Wistar strain ( Rattus norvegicus ) weighing 180–200 g were used in this study. Rats were divided into four groups. Group I: control (treated with 1 % ethanol only), group II: aldosterone treated (10 μg /kg body weight, twice daily for 15 days), group III: aldosterone treated (20 μg /kg body weight, twice daily for 15 days), and group IV: aldosterone treated (40 μg/kg body weight, twice daily for 15 days). Excess aldosterone caused glucose intolerance in a dose-dependent manner. Serum insulin and aldosterone were significantly increased, whereas serum testosterone was decreased. Aldosterone treatment impaired the rate of glucose uptake, oxidation, and insulin signal transduction in the gastrocnemius muscle through defective expression of IR, IRS-1, Akt, AS160, and GLUT4 genes. Phosphorylation of IRS-1, β-arrestin-2, and Akt was also reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Excess aldosterone results in glucose intolerance as a result of impaired insulin signal transduction leading to decreased glucose uptake and oxidation in skeletal muscle. In addition to this, it is inferred that excess aldosterone may act as one of the causative factors for the onset of insulin resistance and thus increased incidence of type-2 diabetes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1452-2 Authors Jayaraman Selvaraj, Department of Endocrinology, Dr.ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Sekkizhar Campus, Taramani, Chennai, 600113 India Sampath Sathish, Department of Endocrinology, Dr.ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Sekkizhar Campus, Taramani, Chennai, 600113 India Chinnaiyan Mayilvanan, Department of Endocrinology, Dr.ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Sekkizhar Campus, Taramani, Chennai, 600113 India Karundevi Balasubramanian, Department of Endocrinology, Dr.ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Sekkizhar Campus, Taramani, Chennai, 600113 India Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Mn-doped ZnO nanowires have been fabricated through a high temperature vapor-solid deposition process. The low-temperature photoluminescence spectra of the samples show that there are multipeak emissions at the ultraviolet (UV) region (about 3.4–3.0 eV). The excitonic and phonon-assisted transitions in Mn-doped ZnO nanowires were investigated. The results show that there is an obvious oscillatory structure emission at the UV region under low temperature from 12–125 K. The oscillatory structure has an energy periodicity about 70 meV and the oscillatory structure is mainly attributed to longitudinal optical (LO) phonon replicas of free excitons (FX). The multipeak emissions at 12 K are attributed to a donor-bound exciton (DBX, 3.3617 eV), 1LO-phonon replicas of a free exciton (FX-1LO, 3.3105 eV), 2LO-phonon replicas of a free exciton (FX-2LO, 3.2396 eV), and 3LO-phonon replicas of a free exciton (FX-3LO, 3.1692 eV), respectively. The intensity of UV emission and the efficiency of emission from the Mn-doped ZnO nanowires are improved. Content Type Journal Article Category Rapid communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7294-7 Authors Jun Zhang, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information Techniques of Shandong, Institute Optoelectronic Information Science &Techniques, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 P.R. China Feihong Jiang, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information Techniques of Shandong, Institute Optoelectronic Information Science &Techniques, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 P.R. China Shuanghong Ding, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information Techniques of Shandong, Institute Optoelectronic Information Science &Techniques, Yantai University, Yantai, 264005 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Powdered layered double hydroxides (LDHs)—also known as hydrotalcite-like (HT)—compounds have been widely studied due to their applications as catalysts, anionic exchangers or host materials for inorganic or organic molecules. Assembling thin films of nano-sized LDHs onto flat solid substrates is an expanding area of research, with promising applications as sensors, corrosion-resistant coatings, components in optical and magnetic devices. The exploitation of LDHs as vehicles to carry dispersed metal nanoparticles onto a substrate is a new approach to obtain composite thin films with prospects for biomedical and optical applications. We report the deposition of thin films of Ag nanoparticles embedded in a Mg–Al layered double hydroxide matrix by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The Ag-LDH powder was prepared by co-precipitation at supersaturation and pH = 10 using aqueous solutions of Mg and Al nitrates, Na hydroxide and carbonate, and AgNO 3 , having atomic ratios of Mg/Al = 3 and Ag/Al = 0.55. The target to be used in laser ablation experiments was a dry pressed pellet obtained from the prepared Ag-LDH powder. Three different wavelengths of a Nd:YAG laser (266, 532 and 1064 nm) working at a repetition rate of 10 Hz were used. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and secondary ions mass spectrometry (SIMS) were used to investigate the structure, surface morphology and composition of the deposited films. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7162-5 Authors A. Matei, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 77125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania R. Birjega, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 77125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania A. Vlad, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 77125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania C. Luculescu, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 77125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania G. Epurescu, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 77125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania F. Stokker-Cheregi, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 77125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania M. Dinescu, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 77125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania R. Zavoianu, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology and Catalysis, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Regina Elisabeta Bd., Bucharest, Romania O. D. Pavel, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology and Catalysis, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Regina Elisabeta Bd., Bucharest, Romania Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The possibility of printing two-dimensional micropatterns of biomolecule solutions is of great interest in many fields of research in biomedicine, from cell-growth and development studies to the investigation of the mechanisms of communication between cells. Although laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) has been extensively used to print micrometric droplets of biological solutions, the fabrication of complex patterns depends on the feasibility of the technique to print micron-sized lines of aqueous solutions. In this study we investigate such a possibility through the analysis of the influence of droplet spacing of a water and glycerol solution on the morphology of the features printed by LIFT. We prove that it is indeed possible to print long and uniform continuous lines by controlling the overlap between adjacent droplets. We show how, depending on droplet spacing, several printed morphologies are generated, and we offer, in addition, a simple explanation of the observed behavior based on the jetting dynamics characteristic of the LIFT of liquids. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7279-6 Authors A. Palla-Papavlu, Departament de Física Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain C. Córdoba, Departament de Física Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain A. Patrascioiu, Departament de Física Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain J. M. Fernández-Pradas, Departament de Física Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain J. L. Morenza, Departament de Física Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain P. Serra, Departament de Física Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is a critical intracellular signaling triggered by ischemic preconditioning (IPC), but the precise mechanisms underlying the actions of PKC in IPC-mediated cardioprotection remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of PKC activation on the antioxidant activity by IPC in rabbit hearts. Isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 60 min of global ischemia by cold cardioplegic arrest (4 °C) and 60 min of reperfusion (37 °C). IPC was induced by three cycles of 2-min ischemia following 3 min of reperfusion (37 °C) before cardioplegic arrest. IPC resulted in a better recovery of mechanical function, increased tissue reduced glutathione-to-oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG), superoxide dismutase and catalase content, and decreased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to control hearts subjected to 60 min of cardioplegic ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion. IPC also significantly induced activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the inductions of antioxidant genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Injection of phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate, an activator of PKC, before cardioplegic ischemia induced translocation of PKC-δ and -ε isoforms to membrane fraction, nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, and conferred cardioprotection similar to IPC. Polymyxin B, an inhibitor of PKC, blocked the membrane translocation of PKC-δ and -ε during IPC, inhibited Nrf2 nuclear accumulation, and significantly diminished the IPC-induced cardioprotection when administrated before IPC. These results indicate that the activation of PKC induces the translocation of Nrf2 and the enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses in the IPC hearts and suggest that PKC may target Nrf2 to confer cardioprotection. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1458-9 Authors Xin Zhang, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhengzhou University College of Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Zhibin Xiao, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, 100700 China Jianmin Yao, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, 100700 China Genshang Zhao, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhengzhou University College of Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Xianen Fa, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhengzhou University College of Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450052 China Jianli Niu, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Beijing General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, 100700 China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Serotonin (5-HT) is a hormone that has been implicated in the regulation of many physiological and pathological events. One of the most intriguing properties of this hormone is its ability to up-regulate mitosis. Moreover, 5-HT stimulates glucose uptake and up-regulates PFK activity through the 5-HT 2A receptor, resulting in the phosphorylation of a tyrosine residue of PFK and the intracellular redistribution of PFK within skeletal muscle. The present study investigated some of the signaling intermediates involved in the effects of 5-HT on 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK) regulation from skeletal muscle using kinetic assessments, immunoprecipitation, and western blotting assays. Our results demonstrate that 5-HT stimulates PFK from skeletal muscle via phospholipase C (PLC). The activation of PLC in skeletal muscle leads to the recruitment of protein kinase C (PKC) and calmodulin and the stimulation of calmodulin kinase II, which associates with PFK upon 5-HT action. Alternatively, 5-HT loses its ability to up-regulate PFK activity when Janus kinase is inhibited, suggesting that 5-HT is able to control glycolytic flux in the skeletal muscle of mice by recruiting different pathways and controlling PFK activity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1462-0 Authors Wagner Santos Coelho, Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo (LabECoM), Departamento de Fármacos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil Mauro Sola-Penna, Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo (LabECoM), Departamento de Fármacos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Upon release from keratinocytes, 14-3-3 sigma (also known as stratifin) acts on the dermal fibroblast and modulates its production of extracellular matrix proteins. Subsequent to the recent identification as a receptor responsible for stratifin-mediated matrix turnover in dermal fibroblasts, aminopeptidase N has been implicated in the regulation of epidermal–dermal communication and expression of key matrix proteases and adhesion molecules. In light of the growing importance of aminopeptidase N in modulation of the fibroblast phenotype, the present study evaluates the potential of targeting the ectoenzyme in cutaneous repair, and demonstrates that neutralization of aminopeptidase N led to acceleration of wound closure. This was attributed to at least in part an increase of collagen deposition and fibroblast contractility in the granulation tissue. These findings confirmed the important role of aminopeptidase N in post-injury tissue remodeling and wound contraction. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1449-x Authors Amy Lai, Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, ICORD, the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada Azadeh Hosseini-Tabatabaei, Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, ICORD, the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada Ryan Hartwell, Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, ICORD, the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada Elham Rahmani-Neishaboor, Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, ICORD, the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada Ruhangiz Taghi Kilani, Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, ICORD, the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada Aziz Ghahary, Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, ICORD, the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    NF-κB consists of p50, p65 (RelA), p52, c-Rel, and RelB, and among them p65 is a representative protein to investigate the regulation and function of this signaling. NF-κB integrates inflammation and carcinogenesis and regulates the expression of a variety of genes in response to immunity, inflammation, and apoptosis. IκBα acts as an inhibitor of NF-κB through forming an inactive NF-κB/IκBα complex. Pokemon is a ubiquitous transcription factor involved in different signaling pathways, playing a pivotal role in cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, embryonic development, and maintenance. In this study, we found that p65 and IκBα are both novel regulatory targets of Pokemon. Ectopic expression of Pokemon in immortalized liver cells HL7702 enhanced p65 and IκBα expression, whereas silencing of Pokemon in hepatocellular carcinoma cells QGY7703 reduced cellular p65 levels. ChIP assay and targeted mutagenesis revealed that Pokemon directly binds to the element of −434 to −430 bp in p65 promoter and of −453 to −448 bp in IκBα promoter and stimulates luciferase reporter gene expression. Co-transfection of Pokemon with p65 or IκBα promoter-reporter notably enhanced their promoter activity. These data suggest that Pokemon activates the expression of both p65 and IκBα by sequence-specific binding to their promoters and plays a dual role in regulating NF-κB signaling. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1445-1 Authors Nan-Nan Zhang, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Qin-Sheng Sun, The Ministry-Province Jointly Constructed Base for State Key Lab-Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, the Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055 People’s Republic of China Zhe Chen, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Feng Liu, The Ministry-Province Jointly Constructed Base for State Key Lab-Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, the Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055 People’s Republic of China Yu-Yang Jiang, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 People’s Republic of China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    We describe the development and characterization of a new cell line, designated Xl 1, derived from vertebra and long bones of Xenopus laevis . These cells can mineralize their extracellular matrix upon addition of an inorganic phosphate donor and vitamin C, as characterized by von Kossa staining. In addition they express genes such as matrix gla protein ( mgp ), alkaline phosphatase , type II collagen , and retinoic acid receptors , representing a valuable tool to analyze expression and regulation of Xenopus cartilage-associated genes. Continuous treatment with retinoic acid (RA) inhibited mineralization, alkaline phosphatase expression and its activity, suggesting that RA is a potential negative regulator of Xl 1 cell differentiation. These cells are receptive to efficient transfer of DNA using conventional methods including calcium phosphate, liposome-mediated transfer or electroporation and were found to express basal levels of mgp at least 50-fold higher than the routinely used Xenopus A6 cell line, as seen by transcription assays with the distal X. laevis mgp promoter. Being the first amphibian cell line derived from bone tissue, the Xl 1 culture provides an excellent in vitro tool for functional promoter studies, being suitable, among other uses, for identifying promoter elements mediating cartilage-expressed genes as shown here for mgp . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1473-x Authors Natércia Conceição, Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal Michael Viegas, Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal João Fidalgo, Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal M. Leonor Cancela, Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II play major roles in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth and differentiation, and both are locally expressed in muscle cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that IGF-II up-regulates its own gene expression during myogenesis and this auto-regulatory loop is critical for muscle differentiation. How local IGF-I is regulated in this process is unclear. Here, we report that while IGF-II up-regulated its own gene expression, it suppressed IGF-I gene expression during myogenesis. These opposite effects of IGF-II on IGF-I and IGF-II genes expression were time dependent and dose dependent. It has been shown that IGFs activate the PI3K-Akt-mTOR, p38 MAPK, and Erk1/2 MAPK pathways. In myoblasts, we examined their role(s) in mediating the opposite effects of IGF-II. Our results showed that both the PI3K-Akt-mTOR and p38 MAPK pathways played critical roles in increasing IGF-II mRNA expression. In contrast, mTOR was required for down-regulating the IGF-I gene expression by IGF-II. In addition, Akt, Erk1/2 MAPK, and p38 MAPK pathways were also involved in the regulation of basal levels of IGF-I and IGF-II genes during myogenesis. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized negative feedback mechanism and extend our knowledge of IGF-I and IGF-II gene expression and regulation during myogenesis. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1479-4 Authors Shuang Jiao, Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 People’s Republic of China Hongxia Ren, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA Yun Li, Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 People’s Republic of China Jianfeng Zhou, Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 People’s Republic of China Cunming Duan, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA Ling Lu, Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 People’s Republic of China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    To know the involvement of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the metastasis of mouse FBJ osteosarcoma cells, N α -lauroyl- O -(β- d -xylopyranosyl)- l -serinamide (Xyl-Ser-C12), which initiates elongation of GAG chains using the glycan biosynthesis system in cells, was administered to FBJ cells with different metastatic capacities. Production of glycosylated products derived from Xyl-Ser-C12, especially heparan sulfate (HS) GAG-type oligosaccharides such as GalNAc-GlcA-GlcNAc-GlcA-Gal-Gal-Xyl-Ser-C12, was indicated in poorly metastatic FBJ-S1 cells more than in highly metastatic FBJ-LL cells by LC–MS. The results of RT-PCR revealed that HS synthases, Ext1 and Ext2, were expressed in FBJ-S1 cells more than in FBJ-LL cells. Furthermore, siRNA against Ext1 suppressed the expression of HS and enhanced the motility of FBJ-S1 cells. In addition, the expression of heparanase (HPSE) was enhanced in Ext-1-knockdown FBJ-S1 cells, and responsible for the increase in cell motility caused by the down-regulation of Ext1 expression. Our data provide the first evidence that Ext1 regulates the expression of HPSE and also indicated that levels of Ext1 and HPSE influenced the motility of FBJ cells. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1475-8 Authors Yinan Wang, Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Hiyoshi, Yokohama, 223-8522 Japan XiaoYan Yang, Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Glycobiology, Department of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, P.O. Box 29, 103 WenHua Road, Shenyang, 110016 Liaoning, People’s Republic of China Sadako Yamagata, Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Glycobiology, Department of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, P.O. Box 29, 103 WenHua Road, Shenyang, 110016 Liaoning, People’s Republic of China Tatsuya Yamagata, Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Glycobiology, Department of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, P.O. Box 29, 103 WenHua Road, Shenyang, 110016 Liaoning, People’s Republic of China Toshinori Sato, Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Hiyoshi, Yokohama, 223-8522 Japan Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Based on local density approximation and Hubbard-U corrections (LDA+U), we study the influence of Coulomb interaction for Tb 4f states on the optical properties of the recently discovered superconductor, such as TbOFeAs. Within the incorporation of onsite Hubbard effect in TbOFeAs, we discuss the electronic structure, as well as the optical spectra and we compared them to LDA calculations. For non-magnetic (NM) configuration, the electronic structure exhibits high density of states, N ( E F ) in the proximity of Fermi level. With and without the electronic correlation effects, we carried out the calculations for the optical properties such as the optical conductivity, joint density of states (JDOS), optical absorption, the electron energy loss function and reflectivity of TbOFeAs in a large photon energy scale of 30 eV. Despite the absence of a Mott insulator transition, we infer that the electronic correlation effects are prominent in the recently discovered superconductor, like TbOFeAs. We also predict the in-plane anisotropy of plasma frequency that has been evaluated recently in the other ReOFeAs systems. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7286-7 Authors A. Laref, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11145 King Saudi Arabia Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    While the emergence of pottery manufacturing is a wide-spread historical occurrence, and one that has garnered the attention of archaeologists for decades, we know very little about how these ancient vessels were created. Through the application of radiographic scanning and computed tomography this paper provides insights into the manufacturing techniques used by the earliest potters in North America. While x-rays have been used to investigate ceramic manufacturing techniques for decades, this paper provides a reassessment of radiography in light of advances in both computed tomography and reconstructive software. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7287-6 Authors Matthew Sanger, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA James Thostenson, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA Morgan Hill, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA Hannah Cain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    A thorough microscopic investigation by SR XRF and micro-PIXE brings insight into the probable techniques used in the manufacture of thirteen Dacian gold bracelets, one of the most spectacular archaeological finds ever on the territory of Romania. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7306-7 Authors Bogdan Constantinescu, Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering Bucharest, str. Atomiştilor 407, Măgurele, Ilfov 077125, Romania Angela Vasilescu, Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering Bucharest, str. Atomiştilor 407, Măgurele, Ilfov 077125, Romania Martin Radtke, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Richard-Willstätter Strasse 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany Uwe Reinholz, Laboratoire du Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France, Palais du Louvre (CNRS-LC2RMF UMR 171), 14 Quai F. Mitterand, 75001 Paris, France Claire Pacheco, Laboratoire du Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France, Palais du Louvre (CNRS-LC2RMF UMR 171), 14 Quai F. Mitterand, 75001 Paris, France Laurent Pichon, Laboratoire du Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France, Palais du Louvre (CNRS-LC2RMF UMR 171), 14 Quai F. Mitterand, 75001 Paris, France Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu, National History Museum of Romania (MNIR), calea Victoriei 12, Bucharest, sector 3, 030026 Romania Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description: Erratum to: Direct laser printing of thin-film polyaniline devices Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7307-6 Authors M. Kandyla, Physics Department, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, Athens, 15780 Greece C. Pandis, Physics Department, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, Athens, 15780 Greece S. Chatzandroulis, Institute of Microelectronics, NCSR Demokritos, Agia Paraksevi, Athens, 15310 Greece P. Pissis, Physics Department, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, Athens, 15780 Greece I. Zergioti, Physics Department, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, Athens, 15780 Greece Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    A facile, green method was explored for the organic-inorganic complex coating with superhydrophobic and transparent property on glass matrix. The glass surface was firstly treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and SiO 2 organic-inorganic solution and then modified with a layer of 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). The glass samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle (CA) measurement, and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that the optical transmission over the visible range up to 89 % (in reference to 100 % transmission defined by bare glass substrate), and the water CA of the film reached 168 ∘ . Superhydrophobic coatings with excellent optical transmittance will have potential applications in our daily life. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7176-z Authors Ye Zhang, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Jialin Li, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Fangzhi Huang, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Shikuo Li, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Yuhua Shen, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Anjian Xie, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Wei Duan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Fang Wang, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230039 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The corrosion of iron-based archaeomaterials in anoxic environments leads mainly to Fe(II) compounds, like the hydroxychloride β -Fe 2 (OH) 3 Cl, chukanovite Fe 2 (OH) 2 CO 3 or siderite FeCO 3 . The understanding of the mechanisms then necessarily implies a thorough investigation of the chemical, mechanical and morphological characteristics of the Fe(II)-based layer that develops between the metal surface and the environment. In the peculiar case of Fe(II) compounds, generally very reactive towards O 2 , the main concern is to prevent any transformation by air during the analysis. The EBSD technique is adapted on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) where the samples are analysed under vacuum and consequently sheltered from air. Different options offered by EBSD for phase characterisation and microstructural study were tested for the first time on the rust layers of two archaeological iron nails. Results were confronted to those obtained by micro-Raman spectroscopy, which was used as reference method. Magnetite, Fe(II) hydroxychloride β -Fe 2 (OH) 3 Cl and siderite were analysed successfully but improvements have to be brought for the study of other compounds such as iron oxyhydroxides and chukanovite. The choice of experimental parameters in our approach as well as the potentialities and limits of the technique for this kind of application are discussed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7174-1 Authors Ilanith Azoulay, Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Ingénieur pour l’Environnement, FRE 3474 CNRS—Université de La Rochelle, Bât. Marie Curie, Avenue Michel Crépeau, 17042 La Rochelle cedex 01, France Egle Conforto, Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Ingénieur pour l’Environnement, FRE 3474 CNRS—Université de La Rochelle, Bât. Marie Curie, Avenue Michel Crépeau, 17042 La Rochelle cedex 01, France Philippe Refait, Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Ingénieur pour l’Environnement, FRE 3474 CNRS—Université de La Rochelle, Bât. Marie Curie, Avenue Michel Crépeau, 17042 La Rochelle cedex 01, France Céline Rémazeilles, Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Ingénieur pour l’Environnement, FRE 3474 CNRS—Université de La Rochelle, Bât. Marie Curie, Avenue Michel Crépeau, 17042 La Rochelle cedex 01, France Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    We have analyzed the ablation depth yield of fused silica irradiated with shaped pulse trains with a separation of 500 fs and increasing or decreasing intensity envelopes. This temporal separation value is extracted from previous studies on ablation dynamics upon irradiation with transform-limited 100 fs laser pulses. The use of decreasing intensity pulse trains leads to a strong increase of the induced ablation depth when compared to the behavior, at the same pulse fluence, of intensity increasing pulse trains. In addition, we have studied the material response under stretched (500 fs, FWHM) and transform-limited (100 fs, FWHM) pulses, for which avalanche or multiphoton ionization respectively dominates the carrier generation process. The comparison of the corresponding evolution of the ablated depth vs. fluence suggests that the use of pulse trains with decreasing intensity at high fluences should lead to enhanced single exposure ablation depths, beyond the limits corresponding to MPI- or AI-alone dominated processes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7238-2 Authors J. Hernandez-Rueda, Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, C.S.I.C., Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain J. Siegel, Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, C.S.I.C., Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain D. Puerto, Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, C.S.I.C., Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain M. Galvan-Sosa, Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, C.S.I.C., Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain W. Gawelda, Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, C.S.I.C., Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain J. Solis, Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, C.S.I.C., Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Structurally tuned multiferroic state is demonstrated for BiFeO 3 -based compounds. The electric and magnetic orders are strongly affected by the coexistence of R3c and Cm phases, i.e., by structural softness through monoclinicity, which leads the multiferroism to be driven by the same cation. The Cm phase enhances the ferroelectric and magnetic responses through Bi/Ba–O and Fe/Ti–O bonds by influencing structural distortions and ion valence. We also show the strong correlations between ferroic orders, structural arrangements, and tuning of the ion valence in the perovskite B site. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7258-y Authors R. A. M. Gotardo, Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790, Maringá, Paraná 87020-900, Brazil L. F. Cótica, Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790, Maringá, Paraná 87020-900, Brazil I. A. Santos, Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790, Maringá, Paraná 87020-900, Brazil M. Olzon-Dyonisio, Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo 13565-345, Brazil S. D. Souza, Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo 13565-345, Brazil D. Garcia, Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo 13565-345, Brazil J. A. Eiras, Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo 13565-345, Brazil A. A. Coelho, Departamento de Física Aplicada, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Barão Geraldo, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    This study explored the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced lung cancer and its subsequent correction with a COX-2 inhibitory NSAID, etoricoxib. A single dose of DMBA (20 mg/kg body weight) in 0.9 % NaCl administered intratracheally was used to induce tumors in the rat lungs in 20 weeks. The study of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ revealed their upregulation by DMBA administration and restoration of their levels toward normal by the treatment with etoricoxib, while the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-2 was found to be down-regulated with carcinogen administration and corrected with etoricoxib treatment. Apoptosis was studied by mitochondrial Bcl-2/Bax ratio and staining with fluorescent dyes acridine orange/ethidium bromide. The results showed a decreased apoptotic level with DMBA which was corrected with etoricoxib. Also, mitochondrial membrane potential was studied using JC-1 and rhodamine-123, which are membrane permeant fluorescent dyes, and generate information about cells at lower and higher mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψ M ). The results showed the presence of maximum number of cells with higher ∆Ψ M in the DMBA group and their number was considerably lowered in the other three groups. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1451-3 Authors Neeti Nadda, Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India Shruti Setia, Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India Vivek Vaish, Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India Sankar Nath Sanyal, Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014 India Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    We have investigated the magnetization structure and magnetization curves of individual rectangularity shaped permalloy particles using scanning X-ray microscopy in the ultrasoft X-ray regime. Magnetic contrast originates from X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and from the transverse magnetooptical Kerr effect. We studied magnetization curves in dependence on the field direction for particles of different shapes and sizes. Adjacent particles cause a significant dipole interaction. Asymmetric magnetization loops indicate the presence of non-linear magnetooptical effects. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7257-z Authors S. A. Nepijko, Institute of Physics, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, 55128 Mainz, Germany O. V. Pylypenko, Sumy State University, Rimsky-Korsakov Str. 2, 40007 Sumy, C.I.S., Ukraine L. V. Odnodvorets, Sumy State University, Rimsky-Korsakov Str. 2, 40007 Sumy, C.I.S., Ukraine E. Kisker, Institute of Applied Physics, University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany H. J. Elmers, Institute of Physics, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, 55128 Mainz, Germany G. Schönhense, Institute of Physics, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, 55128 Mainz, Germany Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    A series of [Fe 65 Co 35 –O/SiO 2 ] n multilayer thin films with different SiO 2 separate layer thicknesses ( t =0–3 nm) and fixed Fe 65 Co 35 –O layer thickness (5.4 nm) have been fabricated on (100) silicon and glass substrates by reactive magnetron co-sputtering. Microstructure analysis and magnetic measurement results show that Fe 65 Co 35 –O grain size and magnetic properties can be adjusted by varying the thickness of SiO 2 layers. All films reveal an evident in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (IPUMA) when the thickness of SiO 2 monolayer changes from t =0 to 3 nm. The hard axis coercivity ( H ch ) reveals a minimum of 9 Oe at t =1 nm while the easy axis coercivity ( H ce ) exhibits a minimum of 16 Oe at t =2 nm. For t =1 nm and 2 nm, the IPUMA fields ( H k ) are 95 and 207 Oe, the saturation magnetizations ( M s ) are 1.8 and 1.6 T, the real part of the complex permeabilities (below 3.0 GHz) are more than 217 and 104, and the ferromagnetic resonance frequencies ( f r ) are 3.6 and 5.2 GHz, respectively. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7259-x Authors Y. Wang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 P.R. China H. Geng, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 P.R. China J. B. Wang, Key Laboratory for Magnetism and Magnetic Materials of MOE, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 P.R. China S. Nie, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 P.R. China L. S. Wang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 P.R. China Y. Chen, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 P.R. China D. L. Peng, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Transformation acoustics is employed to design an acoustic bending waveguide. A two-dimensional square area with anisotropic and homogeneous material properties is transformed into a fan-shaped area with anisotropic and inhomogeneous material properties to rotate the direction of beam propagation. An alternating layered structure is considered to approximate a medium with anisotropic material properties. From the calculation results, the transformation medium can be realized by an alternating layered structure consisting of water and fluid with negative mass density. We propose that an acoustic metamaterial composed of three layers in water background can be designed to replace negative mass density fluid. The effective mass density and bulk modulus of the system that is composed of the acoustic metamaterial and water are dependent on the incident frequency and the geometric size of the acoustic metamaterial. We tune the geometric size of the acoustic metamaterial to approach the corresponding mass density distribution of the negative mass density fluid at a specific frequency. Thereby, the acoustic bending waveguide designed by using transformation acoustics can be achieved by the acoustic metamaterials. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7296-5 Authors Liang-Yu Wu, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 Ta-Hsueh Road, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan Tzeh-Yi Chiang, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 Ta-Hsueh Road, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan Chia-Nien Tsai, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 Ta-Hsueh Road, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan Mei-Ling Wu, Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Road, Kaohsiung, 80424 Taiwan Lien-Wen Chen, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 Ta-Hsueh Road, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The eutectic alloy of BiInSn was ablated in water by UV pulsed radiation. Electron microscopy of the ablated material shows spherical particles that fall into three size regimes: those with diameters of ∼0.5 μm, crystalline and amorphous particles with dimensions of ∼30 nm, and amorphous particles that are approximately 1 nm across. The 30-nm amorphous particles are homogeneous, while there are two types of 30-nm crystalline particles, those that separate into three phases and those that are homogeneous. The existence of different characteristic sizes is explained by two mechanisms: phase explosion and Rayleigh instability of the ejected melt. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7244-4 Authors O. R. Musaev, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA E. Sutter, Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA J. M. Wrobel, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA M. B. Kruger, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    We report the evidence of a core–shell structure in the antiferromagnetic La 0.2 Ce 0.8 CrO 3 nanoparticles by using a combination of neutron diffraction, polarized neutron small angle scattering (SANSPOL), and dc magnetization techniques. The neutron diffraction study establishes that the present nanoparticles are antiferromagnetic in nature. The magnetic scattering in the SANSPOL study arises from the shell part of the nanoparticles due to the disordered surface spins. The analysis of the SANSPOL data shows that these nanoparticles have a mean core diameter of 12.3±1.1 nm, and a shell thickness of 2.8±0.4 nm, giving a core–shell structure with an antiferromagnetic core, and a shell with a net magnetic moment under an applied magnetic field. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7262-2 Authors P. K. Manna, Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085 India S. M. Yusuf, Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085 India M. D. Mukadam, Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085 India J. Kohlbrecher, Laboratory for Neutron Scattering, ETH Zurich and Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Epitaxial (Co,Fe) nitride films were prepared on TiN buffered Si(001) substrates by dual-target reactive co-sputtering method. With lower Co content, thin films mainly consist of (Co x Fe 1− x ) 4 N phase. With higher Co content, STEM EELS found no N signal in the thin film, and, combined with XRD results, shows that fcc Co is the main phase of the thin films instead of Co 4 N. The N 2 atmosphere is helpful to induce the fcc Co phase formation during dual-target reactive co-sputtering deposition. For the films with less Co content, the RT magnetization measurements show similar magnetic properties as epitaxial Fe 4 N(001) films, while increasing the Co content, the resulting fcc Co thin films show biaxial anisotropy with the [110] in-plane easy axis. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7251-5 Authors H. Xiang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA F.-Y. Shi, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA M. S. Rzchowski, Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA P. M. Voyles, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA Y. A. Chang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The photo-thermal deflection technique (PTD) is used to study the transport properties such as non-radiative lifetime of minority carriers ( τ nr ), electronic diffusivity ( D ) and surface recombination velocity ( S ) in bulk silicon (Si) and gallium antimonide (GaSb) semiconductors. A generalized one-dimensional theoretical model has been also developed, and the coincidence between experimental curves giving the normalized amplitude and phase variations versus square root modulation frequency and the corresponding theoretical curves makes possible to deduce the electronic parameters cited above. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7242-6 Authors S. Ilahi, Unité de Recherche de Caractérisation Photo-thermique et Modélisation, Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes d’Ingénieurs de Nabeul (IPEIN), Université de Carthage, Merazka, Nabeul, 8000 Tunisie F. Saadalah, Unité de Recherche de Caractérisation Photo-thermique et Modélisation, Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes d’Ingénieurs de Nabeul (IPEIN), Université de Carthage, Merazka, Nabeul, 8000 Tunisie N. Yacoubi, Unité de Recherche de Caractérisation Photo-thermique et Modélisation, Institut Préparatoire aux Etudes d’Ingénieurs de Nabeul (IPEIN), Université de Carthage, Merazka, Nabeul, 8000 Tunisie Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The magnetic properties of polycrystalline Yb 1− x Pr x FeO 3 (0≤ x ≤0.9) are systematically investigated. A cusp in the zero-field-cooled dc magnetization and a frequency-dependent peak in the ac susceptibility reveal the glassy behaviors in this system. Interestingly, for YbFeO 3 , the freezing temperature T f is just in the narrow spin-reorientation region of single-crystal YbFeO 3 reported previously. The frequency-dependent peak in the real part of the ac susceptibility can be described by critical slowing down of spin dynamics. The fit to this critical slowing down law yields the values τ 0 =2.79×10 −7  s and zv =2.61. The value of τ 0 is in good agreement with values found in cluster-glass systems. Anomalous thermal hysteresis in the field-cooled magnetization is found in all samples, with a crossover point between the field-cooled cooling and field-cooled warming curves. These anomalous thermal hysteresis behaviors are explained by the competing interaction between the iron-ion subsystem and rare-earth-ion subsystem. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7221-y Authors Shujuan Yuan, Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China Fenfen Chang, Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China Yiming Cao, Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China Xinyan Wang, Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China Baojuan Kang, Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China Jincang Zhang, Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China Shixun Cao, Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444 China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Femtosecond laser material processing as micromachining and nanoparticles fabrication require a careful control of the fluences deposited on the samples. In many cases, best results are obtained by using fluences slightly above the Laser Ablation Threshold (LAT), therefore its accurate determination is an important requirement. LAT can be obtained by measuring the intensity of the acoustic signal generated during the ablation process as a function of the laser fluence. In this work femtosecond laser ablation thresholds of commercially polished stainless steel plates, white high impact polystyrene, frosted glass, antique rag papers and silicon oxynitride thin films were determined by using laser ablation induced photoacoustics (LAIP). Results were compared with similar data previously obtained by using a nanosecond Nd:YAG laser. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7230-x Authors Daniel J. O. Orzi, Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas, CONICET La Plata-CIC, CC 3, CP 1897 Gonnet, Buenos Aires, Argentina Fernando C. Alvira, Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas, CONICET La Plata-CIC, CC 3, CP 1897 Gonnet, Buenos Aires, Argentina Gabriel M. Bilmes, Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas, CONICET La Plata-CIC, CC 3, CP 1897 Gonnet, Buenos Aires, Argentina Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    In this paper, we prepared TiO 2 nanostructures by a hydrothermal method and investigated the influence of the ion and the effect of long alkyl chains of sodium dodecyl sulfate on the crystal phases of TiO 2 by experiments and theoretical calculations. The results indicate that the absorption of the H+HSO 4 fragment on rutile (110) is more stable than that of the 2H+SO 4 fragment and more favorable to the formation of anatase. The absorption and steric effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate on the surfaces of TiO 2 grains also have an important influence on the formation of mixed crystals by changing the speed and the way of octahedral TiO 6 units combining. Based on the above facts, we revised the original reaction scheme for crystalline titania formation by previous authors. Content Type Journal Article Category Rapid communication Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7265-z Authors Chaohong Liu, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100 P.R. China Xin Wang, Institute of Material Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    With the increase of environment temperature, more and more attentions are payed to the effects of heat stress. Cells under heat shock either are adapted to the condition or are damaged and dead. In this paper, we found that heat shock induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ATF4, PERK, and IRE1α were induced by heat shock of 45 °C in the transcriptional level. Under the stress of 45 °C, PERK was phosphorylated and XBP1s was detected. The result indicated that heat shock could induce the ER stress. We found that heat shock of 45 °C induced the dysregulation of HSP70 and DNA-PKcs, and downregulated the expression of PARP1 and XRCC1. Further results showed that after the knockdown of ATF4 or IRE1α, the expression of DNA-PKcs and XRCC1 were increased. It was indicated that ATF4 and IRE1α could inhibit the expression of DNA-PKcs and XRCC1 under the heat stress. Our results suggested that heat shock could activate ER stress. IRE1α and ATF4, as the important ER stress molecules, could inhibit the expression of DNA repair proteins DNA-PKcs, XRCC1, and HSP70 under heat shock. Downregulation of DNA repair proteins could aggravate the cell damage that may cause cell apoptosis. This may explain that heat shock could increase the lethality of chemotherapeutic drugs on tumor cells. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1439-z Authors Huifang Zhu, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China Feng-Jin Guo, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Core Facility of Development Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China Wenjun Zhao, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Core Facility of Development Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China Jinghua Zhou, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Core Facility of Development Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China Yanna Liu, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Core Facility of Development Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China Fangzhou Song, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China Yingxiong Wang, Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Placental growth factor (PlGF) inhibition produced promising results in reducing tumor burden in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced mouse model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to non-invasively assess the improved histology by performing a serum glycomic analysis. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the observed glycomic effects, we investigated the transcription and expression of E26 transformation-specific sequence 1 (Ets-1), a transcription factor essential for the glycomic and angiogenic changes in malignant transformation, including its different phosphorylated forms that result from activation of the MAP kinase and a Ca 2+ -dependent pathway. In addition, three Ets-1-dependent glycosyltransferase genes, Mgat4a , Mgat4b , and Mgat5 , were also evaluated. HCC was induced in mice by weekly injections with DEN for 16, 20, 25, and 30 w. In the treatment study, mice were injected with DEN for 25 w and subsequently treated with PlGF antibodies (5D11D4) for 5 w. Finally, PlGF−/− mice were injected with DEN for 20, 25, and 30 w. Serum N -glycans were analyzed with DNA sequencer-assisted fluorophore-assisted capillary electrophoresis and compared with histology. Maximum altered N -glycan phenotype was reached after 20 w of DEN-injections, i.e., when the first neoplastic lesions started to appear. 5D11D4-treatment improved the glycomic phenotype in that 7 of the 11 altered glycans tended to normalize. The PlGF−/− mice also showed a normalization trend, although not to the same extent of the treatment group. Number of Ets1 , Mgat4a , Mgat4b , and Mgat5 transcripts increased considerably in DEN-injected mice, however, a non-significant decrease was observed after 5D11D4-treatment. On the protein level, 5D11D4-treatment had a prominent effect on the MAP kinase pathway with a significant p38 activation, yet independent of Ets-1 function. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1461-1 Authors Bram Blomme, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Femke Heindryckx, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Jean Marie Stassen, ThromboGenics NV, Leuven, Belgium Anja Geerts, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Isabelle Colle, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Hans Van Vlierberghe, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    Electrospinning is a simple and versatile fiber synthesis technique in which a high-voltage electric field is applied to a stream of polymer melt or polymer solution, resulting in the formation of continuous micro/nanofibers. Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) have been found to achieve improved structural and mechanical properties when embedded into various polymer matrices. This research work focuses on blending poly( ε -caprolactone) (PCL) (9 and 15 wt%/v) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (fixed at 8 wt%/v) solutions with HNT at two different concentrations 1 and 2 wt%/v. Both unmodified HNT and HNT modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (ASP) were utilized in this study. Fiber properties have been shown to be strongly related to the solution viscosity and electrical conductivity. The addition of HNT increased the solution viscosity, thus resulting in the production of uniform fibers. For both PCL concentrations, the average fiber diameter increased with the increasing of HNT concentration. The average fiber diameters with HNT-ASP were reduced considerably in comparison to those with unmodified HNT when using 15 wt%/v PCL. Slightly better dispersion was obtained for PLA: PCL composites embedded with HNT-ASP compared to unmodified HNT. Furthermore, the addition of HNT-ASP to the polymeric blends resulted in a moderate decrease in the degree of crystallinity, as well as slight reductions of glass transition temperature of PCL, the crystallization temperature and melting temperature of PLA within composite materials. The infrared spectra of composites confirmed the successful embedding of HNT-ASP into PLA: PCL nanofibers relative to unmodified HNT due to the premodification using ASP to reduce the agglomeration behavior. This study provides a new material system that could be potentially used in drug delivery, and may facilitate good control of the drug release process. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7233-7 Authors Hazim J. Haroosh, Department of Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Yu Dong, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Deeptangshu S. Chaudhary, Department of Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Gordon D. Ingram, Department of Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Shin-ichi Yusa, Department of Materials Science and Chemistry, University of Hyogo, Himeji, Hyogo, 671-2280 Japan Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Size dependence of transition enthalpy observed in ferroelectric PbTiO 3 nanoparticles has been shown to result from volume averaging or the surface dilution effect rather than size induced reduction of spontaneous polarization at the first-order phase transition temperature. The PbTiO 3 nanoparticles are suggested to be composed of a cubic surface layer with size independent thickness and a ferroelectric core having nonzero and size independent spontaneous polarization at the transition point. Based on a surface layer model, thickness of the cubic surface layer at the Curie temperature is estimated to be around 5–8 nm for PbTiO 3 nanoparticles from the literature-reported transition enthalpy data. The present analyses indicate that the size effect in ferroelectrics is possibly a surface related extrinsic effect. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7274-y Authors Wenhui Ma, Department of Physics, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515063, People’s Republic of China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Femtosecond laser pulses can be absorbed by materials with larger energy band gap than the single photon energy through non-linear processes occurring in very small volumes. Thus, femtosecond lasers are exceptional tools for the modification of these materials with high resolution. This work is focused in the study of craters produced on the surface of a soda-lime glass after irradiation with a laser delivering 450 fs pulses at 1027-nm wavelength. The ablation with different energies and number of pulses is analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy are used to characterize the morphology of the ablation craters. The results show that micrometric resolution can be achieved with a focusing lens of 0.25 NA and pulse energies of few microjoules. The dependence of the laser fluence threshold on the number of pulses reveals the existence of an incubation effect. The trend for low number of pulses suggests a 4-photon ionization process. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7280-0 Authors J. M. Fernández-Pradas, Departament de Física Aplicada i Òptica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain D. Comas, Departament de Física Aplicada i Òptica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain J. L. Morenza, Departament de Física Aplicada i Òptica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain P. Serra, Departament de Física Aplicada i Òptica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    0.852[Bi 1/2 (Na 1− x Li x ) 1/2 ]TiO 3 –0.110(Bi 1/2 K 1/2 )TiO 3 –0.038Ba 0.85 Ca 0.15 Ti 0.90 Zr 0.10 O 3 (BNLT–BKT–BCTZ- x ) new ternary piezoelectric ceramics were fabricated by the conventional solid-state method, and their piezoelectric properties as a function of the Li content were mainly investigated. A stable solid solution with a single perovskite structure has been formed, and the depolarization temperature ( T d ) of these ceramics was identified by using the temperature dependence of the dielectric loss. The T d value of these ceramics gradually decreases, while the T m value increases with increasing the Li content. The dielectric constant increases and the dielectric loss decreases with increasing the Li content, and an enhanced piezoelectric behavior of d 33 ∼223 pC/N and k p ∼35.2 % has been demonstrated in these ceramics with x =0.06. Content Type Journal Article Category Rapid communication Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7297-4 Authors Jiagang Wu, Department of Materials Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064 P.R. China Sha Qiao, Department of Materials Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064 P.R. China Jianguo Zhu, Department of Materials Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064 P.R. China Dingquan Xiao, Department of Materials Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064 P.R. China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Polymer matrix nanocomposites filled with metallic and alloy nanoparticles add functionality in various applications such as optical devices and in the energy sector. However, matrix coupling agents or nanoparticle ligands may be unwanted additives, potentially inhibiting the resulting nanocomposite to be processed by injection molding. The generation of stabilizer-free Au, Ag, and AuAg alloy nanoparticle acrylate composites is achieved by picosecond-pulsed laser ablation of the respective metal target in the liquid monomer. Complementary to laser ablation of the solid alloy, we have alloyed nanoparticles by post-irradiation of Au and Ag colloids in the liquid monomer. The optical properties of the colloidal nanoparticles are successfully transferred to the solid poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix and characterized by their plasmon resonance that can be easily tuned between 400 and 600 nm by laser alloying in the liquid monomer. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7264-0 Authors Ana Menéndez-Manjón, Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hollerithallee 8, Hannover, 30419 Germany Andreas Schwenke, Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., Hollerithallee 8, Hannover, 30419 Germany Timo Steinke, Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie e.V., Eupener Straße 33, Hannover, 30519 Germany Matthias Meyer, Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie e.V., Eupener Straße 33, Hannover, 30519 Germany Ulrich Giese, Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie e.V., Eupener Straße 33, Hannover, 30519 Germany Philipp Wagener, Technical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNiDE), Duisburg, Germany Stephan Barcikowski, Technical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNiDE), Duisburg, Germany Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    The crystalline structure, surface morphology, electrical, and optical properties of thin films of nanocomposites consisting of silver nanoparticles embedded in poly( p -xylylene) matrix prepared by low-temperature vapor deposition polymerization were studied. Depending on the filler content, the average size of silver nanoparticles varied from 2 to 5 nm for nanocomposites with 2 and 12 vol.% of silver, correspondingly. The optical adsorption in the visible region due to surface plasmon resonance also exhibited a clear correlation from silver content, revealing a red shift of the adsorption peak with the increase of the metal concentration. The temperature dependences of the dc resistance of pure p -xylylene condensate and p -xylylene–silver cocondensates during polymerization as well as temperature dependences of the formed poly( p -xylylene)–silver nanocomposites were examined. The observed variation of the temperature dependences of electrical resistance as a function of silver concentration are attributed to different conduction mechanisms and correlated with the structure of the composites. The wide-angle X-ray scattering and AFM measurements consistently show a strong effect of silver content on the nanocomposite structure. The evolution of the size of silver nanoparticles by thermal annealing was demonstrated. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7220-z Authors Dmitry R. Streltsov, Enikolopov Institute of Synthetic Polymeric Materials of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Karen A. Mailyan, Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electromagnetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Alexey V. Gusev, Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electromagnetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Ilya A. Ryzhikov, Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electromagnetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Natalia A. Erina, Bruker-Nano Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA Chanmin Su, Bruker-Nano Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA Andrey V. Pebalk, National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, Russia Sergei A. Ozerin, Enikolopov Institute of Synthetic Polymeric Materials of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Sergei N. Chvalun, Enikolopov Institute of Synthetic Polymeric Materials of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Microscopic mechanisms and optimization of metal nanoparticle size distribution control using femtosecond laser pulse trains are studied by molecular dynamics simulations combined with the two-temperature model. Various pulse train designs, including subpulse numbers, separations, and energy distributions are compared, which demonstrate that the minimal mean nanoparticle sizes are achieved at the maximal subpulse numbers with uniform energy distributions. Femtosecond laser pulse trains significantly alter the film thermodynamical properties, adjust the film phase change mechanisms, and hence control the nanoparticle size distributions. As subpulse numbers and separations increase, alternation of film thermodynamical properties suppresses phase explosion, favors critical point phase separation, and significantly reduces mean nanoparticle size distributions. Correspondingly, the relative ratio of two phase change mechanisms causes two distinct nanoparticle size control regimes, where phase explosion leads to strong nanoparticle size control, and increasing ratio of critical point phase separation leads to gentle nanoparticles size control. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7269-8 Authors Xin Li, NanoManufacturing Fundamental Research Joint Laboratory of National Science Foundation of China, School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 People’s Republic of China Lan Jiang, NanoManufacturing Fundamental Research Joint Laboratory of National Science Foundation of China, School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 People’s Republic of China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    In this work, we report an approach to fabricate molecular junctions based on metal oxide thin films with nanoscale cracks. The growth of the cracked oxide films is systematically investigated, which reveals that the crack width can be tuned by varying the dopants and/or the heating rate. Current-voltage measurements show that the as-fabricated molecular junction exhibits stable and reproducible electrical switching performance. The ON state junction obeys the Ohmic conduction, while the OFF state follows the space-charge-limited transport. The switching mechanism is shown to be governed by a charge trapping/detrapping process taken place in the organic active layer. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7284-9 Authors J. C. Li, Vacuum and Fluid Engineering Research Center, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China X. Gong, Vacuum and Fluid Engineering Research Center, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China D. Wang, Vacuum and Fluid Engineering Research Center, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China D. C. Ba, Vacuum and Fluid Engineering Research Center, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Transport characteristics of relativistic electrons through graphene-based d -wave superconducting double barrier junction and ferromagnet/ d -wave superconductor/normal metal double junction have been investigated based on the Dirac–Bogoliubov–de Gennes equation. We have first presented the results of superconducting double barrier junction. In the subgap regime, both the crossed Andreev and nonlocal tunneling conductance all oscillate with the bias voltage due to the formation of Andreev bound states in the normal metal region. Moreover, the critical voltage beyond which the crossed Andreev conductance becomes to zero decreases with increasing value of superconducting pair potential  α . In the presence of the ferromagnetism, the MR through graphene-based ferromagnet/ d -wave superconductor/normal metal double junction has been investigated. It is shown that the MR increases from exchange splitting h 0 =0 to h 0 = E F (Fermi energy), and then it goes down. At h 0 = E F , MR reaches its maximum 100. In contrast to the case of a single superconducting barrier, Andreev bound states also manifest itself in the zero bias MR , which result in a series of peaks except the maximum one at h 0 = E F . Besides, the resonance peak of the MR can appear at certain bias voltage and structure parameter. Those phenomena mean that the coherent transmission can be tuned by superconducting pair potential, structure parameter, and external bias voltage, which benefits the spin-polarized electron device based on the graphene materials. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7275-x Authors Chunxu Bai, School of Physics, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, 455000 China Ke-Wei Wei, School of Physics, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, 455000 China Gui Yang, School of Physics, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, 455000 China Yanling Yang, School of Physics, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, 455000 China Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    In order to understand the behavior of the different dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) components, an in-situ analysis should give fundamental help but it is impossible to be performed without compromising the integrity of the cell. Our recently proposed novel microfluidic approach for the fabrication of DSCs is based on a reversible sealing of the two transparent electrodes and it allows the easy assembling and disassembling of the cell, making possible an analysis of the components over time. The aim of this work is not to investigate the different degradation mechanisms of a standard DSC: we want to show that, by using a microfluidic architecture, it is possible to perform a non-destructive analysis and to monitor the photoanode and the counter electrode properties during their lifetime. Morphological (field emission scanning electron microscopy), wetting (contact angle), optical (UV-visible spectroscopy) and electrical (current–voltage and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements under standard AM1.5G illumination) characterizations have been performed over a period of three weeks. The results show how the variation of the wetting and morphological properties at the counter electrode and of the dye absorbance at the photoanode are strongly related to the decrease of the cell performances as evidenced by electrical characterization, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the use of our structure in this kind of studies. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7268-9 Authors A. Sacco, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy A. Lamberti, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy D. Pugliese, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy A. Chiodoni, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy N. Shahzad, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy S. Bianco, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy M. Quaglio, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy R. Gazia, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy E. Tresso, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy C. F. Pirri, Center for Space Human Robotics @PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, Torino, 10129 Italy Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    In the present study, the nephroprotective effect of gallic acid isolated from Peltiphyllum peltatum was examined in sodium fluoride (NaF) treated rats. Nephrotoxicity was induced by 1-week intoxication of NaF at 600 ppm through drinking water. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione as well as activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in renal tissues homogenates were determined. The serum biochemical markers of renal injuries including creatinine, serum urea, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid levels as well as the levels of phosphate and calcium were also assessed. Intoxication with NaF caused a significant increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (46 % versus to control) and reduced the glutathione concentration (47 %) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (46 %) and catalase (41 %) in renal tissues homogenates. NaF intoxication also induced significant alterations in the kidney biochemical markers increasing the levels of urea, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and phosphate and decreasing the levels of calcium. Daily administration of gallic acid (20 mg/kg) for 1 week before NaF intoxication brought the antioxidant–oxidant balance similar to the NaF-untreated group. Silymarin, used a standard antioxidant agent, also showed a nephroprotective activity. We concluded that NaF caused nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in renal tissues and daily administration of gallic acid for 1 week prior to intoxication inhibited toxicity and oxidative stress. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1464-y Authors Seyed Mohammad Nabavi, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Solomon Habtemariam, Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories, Medway School of Science, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB UK Seyed Fazel Nabavi, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Antoni Sureda, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Illes Balears, Spain Maria Daglia, Department of Drug Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy Akbar Hajizadeh Moghaddam, Department of Biology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran Mohammad Ali Amani, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177

Description:    The vertical movement of a 40 nm thin Au film on a silicon substrate during intense nanosecond (ns) laser irradiation is determined on the nm vertical and ns time scales using an optimized Michelson interferometer. The balanced setup with two detectors uses the inverse interference signal and accounts for transient reflectivity changes during irradiation. We show that a change in phase shift upon reflection must be taken into account to gain quantitative results. Three distinct fluence regimes can be distinguished, characterized by transient reflectivity behavior, dewetting processes and film detachment. Maximum displacement velocities are determined to be 0.6 m/s and 1.9 m/s below and above the melting threshold of the metal, respectively. Flight velocities of detaching liquid films are found to be between 30 and 70 m/s for many nanoseconds. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7235-5 Authors F. Kneier, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany T. Geldhauser, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany E. Scheer, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany P. Leiderer, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany J. Boneberg, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Electromechanical interaction determines the structural reliability of electronic interconnects. Using the nanoindentation technique, the effect of alternating electric current on the indentation deformation of copper strips was studied for the indentation load in a range of 100 to 1600 μN at room temperature. During the test, an alternating electric current of the electric current density in a range of 1.25 to 4.88 kA/cm 2 was passed through the copper strips. The indentation results showed that the reduced contact modulus decreased linearly with increasing the electric current density. The indentation hardness decreased with increasing the indentation deformation, demonstrating the normal indentation size effect. Using the model of strain gradient plasticity, we found that the strain gradient underneath the indentation decreased slightly with increasing the electric current density for the same indentation depth. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s00339-012-7078-0 Authors Guangfeng Zhao, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA Fuqian Yang, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA Journal Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing Online ISSN 1432-0630 Print ISSN 0947-8396

Description:    Schwann cells are critically important in recovery from injuries to the peripheral nervous system, and their absence from the central nervous system (CNS) may be a critical limiting factor in the CNS regeneration capacity. Various types of stem cells have been investigated for their potential to be induced to develop a Schwann cell phenotype, with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) being the most promising among them. The methods for inducing MSCs differentiation into Schwann cell-like cells are presented in detail in this review. The evidence related to successful differentiation of MSCs to Schwann cell-like cells is particularly discussed herein, which includes the changes in morphology, phenotype, function, and proteome. The possible explanations for the differentiation of MSCs to Schwann cell-like cells are also presented. Finally, we suggest future research aims which will need to be fulfilled to elucidate the biology of Schwann cell differentiation and MSC transdifferentiation, to enable clinical application of therapeutic differentiated MSC transplantation into nerve injury sites. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11010-012-1351-6 Authors Yu Pan, Research Center of Medical Sciences, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 96 Dongchuan Road, Guangzhou, 510080 China Sa Cai, Department of Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Online ISSN 1573-4919 Print ISSN 0300-8177