TY - JOUR A1 - Rudno-Rudziński, W. A1 - Syperek, M. A1 - Andrezejewski, J. A1 - Maryński, A. A1 - Misiewicz, J. A1 - Somers, A. A1 - Höfling, S. A1 - Reithmaier, J. P. A1 - Sęk, G. T1 - Carrier delocalization in InAs/InGaAlAs/InP quantum-dash-based tunnel injection system for 1.55 μm emission JF - AIP Advances N2 - We have investigated optical properties of hybrid two-dimensional-zero-dimensional (2D-0D) tunnel structures containing strongly elongated InAs/InP(001) quantum dots (called quantum dashes), emitting at 1.55 μm. These quantum dashes (QDashes) are separated by a 2.3 nm-width barrier from an InGaAs quantum well (QW), lattice matched to InP. We have tailored quantum-mechanical coupling between the states confined in QDashes and a QW by changing the QW thickness. By combining modulation spectroscopy and photoluminescence excitation, we have determined the energies of all relevant optical transitions in the system and proven the carrier transfer from the QW to the QDashes, which is the fundamental requirement for the tunnel injection scheme. A transformation between 0D and mixed-type 2D-0D character of an electron and a hole confinement in the ground state of the hybrid system have been probed by time-resolved photoluminescence that revealed considerable changes in PL decay time with the QW width changes. The experimental discoveries have been explained by band structure calculations in the framework of the eight-band k·p model showing that they are driven by delocalization of the lowest energy hole state. The hole delocalization process from the 0D QDash confinement is unfavorable for optical devices based on such tunnel injection structures. KW - physics KW - surface collisions KW - electronic coupling KW - transition radiation KW - time-resolved photoluminescence KW - photoluminescence excitation KW - modulation spectroscopy KW - quantum dots KW - quantum wells KW - delocalization Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181787 VL - 7 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ryczko, K. A1 - Misiewicz, J. A1 - Hofling, S. A1 - Kamp, M. A1 - Sęk, G. T1 - Optimizing the active region of interband cascade lasers for passive mode-locking JF - AIP Advances N2 - The work proposes possible designs of active regions for a mode-locked interband cascade laser emitting in the mid infrared. For that purpose we investigated the electronic structure properties of respectively modified GaSb-based type II W-shaped quantum wells, including the effect of external bias in order to simultaneously fulfil the requirements for both the absorber as well as the gain sections of a device. The results show that introducing multiple InAs layers in type II InAs/GaInSb quantum wells or introducing a tensely-strained GaAsSb layer into “W-shaped” type II QWs offers significant difference in optical transitions’ oscillator strengths (characteristic lifetimes) of the two oppositely polarized parts of such a laser, being promising for utilization in mode-locked devices. KW - physics KW - electrostatics KW - transition radiation KW - oscillator strengths KW - laser spectroscopy KW - optical spectroscopy KW - atomic and molecular spectroscopy, KW - frequency combs KW - quantum wells KW - laser physics Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181790 VL - 7 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lavysh, Daria A1 - Sokolova, Maria A1 - Slashcheva, Marina A1 - Förstner, Konrad U. A1 - Severinov, Konstantin T1 - Transcription profiling of "bacillus subtilis" cells infected with AR9, a giant phage encoding two multisubunit RNA polymerases JF - mBio N2 - Bacteriophage AR9 is a recently sequenced jumbo phage that encodes two multisubunit RNA polymerases. Here we investigated the AR9 transcription strategy and the effect of AR9 infection on the transcription of its host, Bacillus subtilis. Analysis of whole-genome transcription revealed early, late, and continuously expressed AR9 genes. Alignment of sequences upstream of the 5′ ends of AR9 transcripts revealed consensus sequences that define early and late phage promoters. Continuously expressed AR9 genes have both early and late promoters in front of them. Early AR9 transcription is independent of protein synthesis and must be determined by virion RNA polymerase injected together with viral DNA. During infection, the overall amount of host mRNAs is significantly decreased. Analysis of relative amounts of host transcripts revealed notable differences in the levels of some mRNAs. The physiological significance of up- or downregulation of host genes for AR9 phage infection remains to be established. AR9 infection is significantly affected by rifampin, an inhibitor of host RNA polymerase transcription. The effect is likely caused by the antibiotic-induced killing of host cells, while phage genome transcription is solely performed by viral RNA polymerases. KW - Bacteriaophage AR9 KW - Transcription profiling Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181810 VL - 8 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ahmed, Bilal A1 - Ojha, Animesh K. A1 - Hirsch, Florian A1 - Fischer, Ingo A1 - Patrice, Donfack A1 - Materny, Arnulf T1 - Tailoring of enhanced interfacial polarization in WO\(_3\) nanorods grown over reduced graphene oxide synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method JF - RSC Advances N2 - In the present report, well-defined WO3 nanorods (NRs) and a rGO–WO\(_3\) composite were successfully synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal method. The crystal phase, structural morphology, shape, and size of the as-synthesized samples were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The optical properties of the synthesized samples were investigated by Raman, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy and TEM results validate the formation of WO\(_3\) (NRs) on the rGO sheet. The value of the dielectric constant (ε′) of WO3 NRs and rGO–WO\(_3\) composite is decreased with an increase in frequency. At low frequency (2.5 to 3.5 Hz), the value of ε′ for the rGO–WO3 composite is greater than that of pure WO\(_3\) NRs. This could be due to the fact that the induced charges follow the ac signal. However, at higher frequency (3.4 to 6.0), the value of ε′ for the rGO–WO\(_3\) composite is less compared to that of the pure WO3 NRs. The overall decrease in the value of ε′ could be due to the occurrence of a polarization process at the interface of the rGO sheet and WO3 NRs. Enhanced interfacial polarization in the rGO–WO\(_3\) composite is observed, which may be attributed to the presence of polar functional groups on the rGO sheet. These functional groups trap charge carriers at the interface, resulting in an enhancement of the interfacial polarization. The value of the dielectric modulus is also calculated to further confirm this enhancement. The values of the ac conductivity of the WO\(_3\) NRs and rGO–WO\(_3\) composite were calculated as a function of the frequency. The greater value of the ac conductivity in the rGO–WO\(_3\) composite compared to that of the WO\(_3\) NRs confirms the restoration of the sp:\(^{++}\) network during the in situ synthesis of the rGO–WO\(_3\) composite, which is well supported by the results obtained by Raman spectroscopy. KW - chemistry Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181829 VL - 7 IS - 23 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bender, Oliver A1 - Roth, Charlotte E. A1 - Job, Hubert T1 - Protected areas and population development in the alps JF - eco.mont : Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management N2 - Nearly a quarter of the Alpine area is covered by a dense network of large protected areas (LPAs) of the four categories national park(NP), biosphere reserve (BR), nature park and world natural heritage site (WNHS). From the time of early industrialization, the Alpine area has undergone a mixed and increasingly polarized demographic development between the poles of immigration and emigration. This article investigates the possible mutual impact of population development and the existence of LPAs. The research design includes a quantitative survey of all Alpine LPAs in terms of their population development and the structure of immigration in the first decade of the 21st century. This will be linked with qualitative expert interviews in four selected NPs. The overall results allow an interpretation of the statistical correlations between type of LPA and migration. KW - geography KW - amenity migration KW - national parks KW - population KW - protected areas KW - regional development Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181901 VL - 9 IS - Special issue ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hankir, Mohammed K. A1 - Patt, Marianne A1 - Patt, Jörg T. W. A1 - Becker, Georg A. A1 - Rullmann, Michael A1 - Kranz, Mathias A1 - Deuther-Conrad, Winnie A1 - Schischke, Kristin A1 - Seyfried, Florian A1 - Brust, Peter A1 - Hesse, Swen A1 - Sabri, Osama A1 - Krügel, Ute A1 - Fenske, Wiebke T1 - Suppressed fat appetite after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery associates with reduced brain mu-opioid receptor availability in diet-induced obese male rats JF - Frontiers in Neuroscience N2 - Brain μ-opioid receptors (MORs) stimulate high-fat (HF) feeding and have been implicated in the distinct long term outcomes on body weight of bariatric surgery and dieting. Whether alterations in fat appetite specifically following these disparate weight loss interventions relate to changes in brain MOR signaling is unknown. To address this issue, diet-induced obese male rats underwent either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sham surgeries. Postoperatively, animals were placed on a two-choice diet consisting of low-fat (LF) and HF food and sham-operated rats were further split into ad libitum fed (Sham-LF/HF) and body weight-matched (Sham-BWM) to RYGB groups. An additional set of sham-operated rats always only on a LF diet (Sham-LF) served as lean controls, making four experimental groups in total. Corresponding to a stage of weight loss maintenance for RYGB rats, two-bottle fat preference tests in conjunction with small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies with the selective MOR radioligand [\(^{11}\)C]carfentanil were performed. Brains were subsequently collected and MOR protein levels in the hypothalamus, striatum, prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex were analyzed by Western Blot. We found that only the RYGB group presented with intervention-specific changes: having markedly suppressed intake and preference for high concentration fat emulsions, a widespread reduction in [\(^{11}\)C]carfentanil binding potential (reflecting MOR availability) in various brain regions, and a downregulation of striatal and prefrontal MOR protein levels compared to the remaining groups. These findings suggest that the suppressed fat appetite caused by RYGB surgery is due to reduced brain MOR signaling, which may contribute to sustained weight loss unlike the case for dieting. KW - bariatric surgery KW - caloric-restriction KW - fat appetite KW - Brain μ-opioid receptors KW - positron emission tomography imaging Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181130 VL - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Halder, Luke D. A1 - Abdelfatah, Mahmoud A. A1 - Jo, Emeraldo A. H. A1 - Jacobsen, Ilse D. A1 - Westermann, Martin A1 - Beyersdorf, Niklas A1 - Lorkowski, Stefan A1 - Zipfel, Peter F. A1 - Skerka, Christine T1 - Factor H binds to extracellular DNA traps released from human blood monocytes in response to Candida albicans JF - Frontiers in Immunology N2 - Upon systemic infection with human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans (C. albicans), human monocytes and polymorph nuclear neutrophilic granulocytes are the first immune cells to respond and come into contact with C. albicans. Monocytes exert immediate candidacidal activity and inhibit germination, mediate phagocytosis, and kill fungal cells. Here, we show that human monocytes spontaneously respond to C. albicans cells via phagocytosis, decondensation of nuclear DNA, and release of this decondensed DNA in the form of extracellular traps (called monocytic extracellular traps: MoETs). Both subtypes of monocytes (CD14\(^{++}\)CD16\(^−\)/CD14\(^+\)CD16\(^+\)) formed MoETs within the first hours upon contact with C. albicans. MoETs were characterized by the presence of citrullinated histone, myeloperoxidase, lactoferrin, and elastase. MoETs were also formed in response to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, indicating a general reaction of monocytes to infectious microbes. MoET induction differs from extracellular trap formation in macrophages as MoETs are not triggered by simvastatin, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis and inducer of extracellular traps in macrophages. Extracellular traps from both monocytes and neutrophils activate complement and C3b is deposited. However, factor H (FH) binds via C3b to the extracellular DNA, mediates cofactor activity, and inhibits the induction of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta in monocytes. Altogether, the results show that human monocytes release extracellular DNA traps in response to C. albicans and that these traps finally bind FH via C3b to presumably support clearance without further inflammation. KW - Candida KW - monocytes KW - DNA traps KW - MPO KW - factor H Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-181127 VL - 7 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Petruski-Ivleva, Natalia A1 - Kucharska-Newton, Anna A1 - Palta, Priya A1 - Couper, David A1 - Meyer, Katie A1 - Graff, Misa A1 - Haring, Bernhard A1 - Sharrett, Richey A1 - Heiss, Gerardo T1 - Milk intake at midlife and cognitive decline over 20 years. The Atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study JF - Nutrients N2 - Background: Faster rates of cognitive decline are likely to result in earlier onset of cognitive impairment and dementia. d-galactose, a derivative of lactose, is used in animal studies to induce neurodegeneration. Milk is the primary source of lactose in the human diet, and its effects on cognitive decline have not been fully evaluated. Objective: Assess the association of milk intake with change in cognitive function over 20 years. Methods: A total of 13,751 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort completed a food frequency questionnaire and three neurocognitive evaluations from 1990 through 2013. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to determine lactase persistence (LCT-13910 C/T for Whites and LCT-14010 G/C for Blacks). Mixed-effects models were used to study the association of milk intake with cognitive change. Multiple imputations by chained equations were used to account for attrition. Results: Milk intake greater than 1 glass/day was associated with greater decline in the global z-score over a 20-year period. The difference in decline was 0.10 (95% CI: 0.16, 0.03) z-scores, or an additional 10% decline, relative to the group reporting “almost never” consuming milk. Conclusions: Replication of these results is warranted in diverse populations with greater milk intake and higher variability of lactase persistence genotype. KW - lactose KW - lactase persistence KW - oxidative stress KW - cognitive decline KW - dementia KW - aging Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-173909 VL - 9 IS - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sbirkov, Yordan A1 - Kwok, Colin A1 - Bhamra, Amandeep A1 - Thompson, Andrew J. A1 - Gil, Veronica A1 - Zelent, Arthur A1 - Petrie, Kevin T1 - Semi-quantitative mass spectrometry in AML cells identifies new non-genomic targets of the EZH2 methyltransferase JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - Alterations to the gene encoding the EZH2 (KMT6A) methyltransferase, including both gain-of-function and loss-of-function, have been linked to a variety of haematological malignancies and solid tumours, suggesting a complex, context-dependent role of this methyltransferase. The successful implementation of molecularly targeted therapies against EZH2 requires a greater understanding of the potential mechanisms by which EZH2 contributes to cancer. One aspect of this effort is the mapping of EZH2 partner proteins and cellular targets. To this end we performed affinity-purification mass spectrometry in the FAB-M2 HL-60 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cell line before and after all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation. These studies identified new EZH2 interaction partners and potential non-histone substrates for EZH2-mediated methylation. Our results suggest that EZH2 is involved in the regulation of translation through interactions with a number of RNA binding proteins and by methylating key components of protein synthesis such as eEF1A1. Given that deregulated mRNA translation is a frequent feature of cancer and that eEF1A1 is highly expressed in many human tumours, these findings present new possibilities for the therapeutic targeting of EZH2 in AML. KW - acute myeloid leukaemia KW - EZH2 KW - mass spectrometry KW - methylation KW - eEF1A1 Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285541 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 18 IS - 7 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Koeniger, Tobias A1 - Kuerten, Stefanie T1 - Splitting the "unsplittable": Dissecting resident and infiltrating macrophages in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - Macrophages predominate the inflammatory landscape within multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions, not only regarding cellularity but also with respect to the diverse functions this cell fraction provides during disease progression and remission. Researchers have been well aware of the fact that the macrophage pool during central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity consists of a mixture of myeloid cells. Yet, separating these populations to define their unique contribution to disease pathology has long been challenging due to their similar marker expression. Sophisticated lineage tracing approaches as well as comprehensive transcriptome analysis have elevated our insight into macrophage biology to a new level enabling scientists to dissect the roles of resident (microglia and non-parenchymal macrophages) and infiltrating macrophages with unprecedented precision. To do so in an accurate way, researchers have to know their toolbox, which has been filled with diverse, discriminating approaches from decades of studying neuroinflammation in animal models. Every method has its own strengths and weaknesses, which will be addressed in this review. The focus will be on tools to manipulate and/or identify different macrophage subgroups within the injured murine CNS. KW - CNS KW - distinction KW - experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis KW - inflammation KW - macrophages KW - markers KW - microglia KW - monocytes Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285067 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 18 IS - 10 ER -