260 research outputs found
Visualization of defect-induced excitonic properties of the edges and grain boundaries in synthesized monolayer molybdenum disulfide
Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs)
are attractive materials for next generation nanoscale optoelectronic
applications. Understanding nanoscale optical behavior of the edges and grain
boundaries of synthetically grown TMDCs is vital for optimizing their
optoelectronic properties. Elucidating the nanoscale optical properties of 2D
materials through far-field optical microscopy requires a diffraction-limited
optical beam diameter sub-micron in size. Here we present our experimental work
on spatial photoluminescence (PL) scanning of large size ( microns)
monolayer MoS grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a diffraction
limited blue laser beam spot (wavelength 405 nm) with a beam diameter as small
as 200 nm allowing us to probe nanoscale excitonic phenomena which was not
observed before. We have found several important features: (i) there exists a
sub-micron width strip ( nm) along the edges that fluoresces brighter than the region far inside; (ii) there is another brighter
wide region consisting of parallel fluorescing lines ending at the corners of
the zig-zag peripheral edges; (iii) there is a giant blue shifted A-excitonic
peak, as large as meV, in the PL spectra from the edges. Using
density functional theory calculations, we attribute this giant blue shift to
the adsorption of oxygen dimers at the edges, which reduces the excitonic
binding energy. Our results not only shed light on defect-induced excitonic
properties, but also offer an attractive route to tailor optical properties at
the TMDC edges through defect engineering.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures in Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 201
New Synthetic Triterpenoids: Potent Agents for Prevention and Treatment of Tissue Injury Caused by Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress
Development of control systems for space shuttle vehicles, volume 1
Control of winged two-stage space shuttle vehicles was investigated. Control requirements were determined and systems capable of meeting these requirements were synthesized. Control requirements unique to shuttles were identified. It is shown that these requirements can be satisfied by conventional control logics. Linear gain schedule controllers predominate. Actuator saturations require nonlinear compensation in some of the control systems
Prevalence of Physical Activity in the United States: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2001
INTRODUCTION: The health benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise are well-known. Such exercise, however, has traditionally been defined as vigorous physical activity, such as jogging, swimming, or aerobic dance. Exercise of moderate intensity also promotes health, and many U.S. adults may be experiencing the health benefits of exercise through lifestyle activities of moderate intensity, such as yard work, housework, or walking for transportation. Until recently, public health surveillance systems have not included assessments of this type of physical activity, focusing on exercise of vigorous intensity. We used an enhanced surveillance tool to describe the prevalence and amount of both moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity among U.S. adults. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based, random-digit–dialed telephone survey administered to U.S. adults aged 18 years and older (n = 82,834 men and 120,286 women). Physical activity behavior was assessed using questions designed to quantify the frequency of participation in moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activities performed during leisure time or for household chores and transportation. RESULTS: Overall, 45% of adults (48% of men and 43% of women) were active at recommended levels during nonworking hours (at least 30 minutes five or more days per week in moderate-intensity activities, equivalent to brisk walking, or at least 20 minutes three or more days per week in vigorous activities, equivalent to running, heavy yard work, or aerobic dance). Less than 16% of adults (15% of men and 17% of women) reported no moderate or vigorous activity in a usual week. CONCLUSION: Integrating surveillance of lifestyle activities into national systems is possible, and doing so may provide a more accurate representation of the prevalence of recommended levels of physical activity. These results, however, suggest that the majority of U.S. adults are not active at levels associated with the promotion and maintenance of health
Photoresponse of Natural van der Waals Heterostructures
Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures consisting of two dimensional materials
offer a platform to obtain material by design and are very attractive owing to
novel electronic states. Research on 2D van der Waals heterostructures (vdWH)
has so far been focused on fabricating individually stacked atomically thin
unary or binary crystals. Such systems include graphene (Gr), hexagonal boron
nitride (h-BN) and member of the transition metal dichalcogenides family. Here
we present our experimental study of the opto-electronic properties of a
naturally occurring vdWH, known as Franckeite, which is a complex layered
crystal composed of lead, tin, antimony, iron and sulfur. We present here that
thin film franckeite (60 nm < d < 100 nm) behave as narrow band gap
semiconductor demonstrating a wide band photoresponse. We have observed the
band-edge transition at ~ 1500 nm (~830 meV) and high external quantum
efficiency (EQE~3%) at room temperature. Laser power resolved and temperature
resolved photocurrent measurements reveal that the photo-carrier generation and
recombination are dominated by continuously distributed trap states within the
band gap. To understand wavelength resolved photocurrent, we also calculated
the optical absorption properties via density functional theory. Finally, we
have shown that the device has fast photoresponse with rise time as fast as ~ 1
ms. Our study provides a fundamental understanding of the optoelectronic
behavior in a complex naturally occurring vdWH and can open up the
possibilities of producing new type of nanoscale optoelectronic devices with
tailored properties.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures (to be appeared in ACS NANO
Retinol-binding protein 4 inhibits insulin signaling in adipocytes by inducing proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages through a c-Jun N-terminal kinase- and toll-like receptor 4-dependent and retinol-independent mechanism
Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), the sole retinol transporter in blood, is secreted from adipocytes and liver. Serum RBP4 levels correlate highly with insulin resistance, other metabolic syndrome factors, and cardiovascular disease. Elevated serum RBP4 causes insulin resistance, but the molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that RBP4 induces expression of proinflammatory cytokines in mouse and human macrophages and thereby indirectly inhibits insulin signaling in cocultured adipocytes. This occurs through activation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways independent of the RBP4 receptor, STRA6. RBP4 effects are markedly attenuated in JNK1-/- JNK2-/- macrophages and TLR4-/- macrophages. Because RBP4 is a retinol-binding protein, we investigated whether these effects are retinol dependent. Unexpectedly, retinol-free RBP4 (apo-RBP4) is as potent as retinol-bound RBP4 (holo-RBP4) in inducing proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Apo-RBP4 is likely to be physiologically significant since RBP4/retinol ratios are increased in serum of lean and obese insulin-resistant humans compared to ratios in insulin-sensitive humans, indicating that higher apo-RBP4 is associated with insulin resistance independent of obesity. Thus, RBP4 may cause insulin resistance by contributing to the development of an inflammatory state in adipose tissue through activation of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages. This process reveals a novel JNK- and TLR4-dependent and retinol- and STRA6-independent mechanism of action for RBP4
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Palmitic Acid Hydroxystearic Acids Activate GPR40, Which Is Involved in Their Beneficial Effects on Glucose Homeostasis.
Palmitic acid hydroxystearic acids (PAHSAs) are endogenous lipids with anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. PAHSA levels are reduced in serum and adipose tissue of insulin-resistant people and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Here, we investigated whether chronic PAHSA treatment enhances insulin sensitivity and which receptors mediate PAHSA effects. Chronic PAHSA administration in chow- and HFD-fed mice raises serum and tissue PAHSA levels ∼1.4- to 3-fold. This improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance without altering body weight. PAHSA administration in chow-fed, but not HFD-fed, mice augments insulin and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) secretion. PAHSAs are selective agonists for GPR40, increasing Ca+2 flux, but not intracellular cyclic AMP. Blocking GPR40 reverses improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in PAHSA-treated chow- and HFD-fed mice and directly inhibits PAHSA augmentation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in human islets. In contrast, GLP-1 receptor blockade in PAHSA-treated chow-fed mice reduces PAHSA effects on glucose tolerance, but not on insulin sensitivity. Thus, PAHSAs activate GPR40, which is involved in their beneficial metabolic effects.Supported by NIH grants R01 DK43051, P30 DK57521 (B.B.K.), and R01 DK106210 (B.B.K. and A. Saghatelian); a grant from the JPB Foundation (B.B.K.); and T32DK07516 (B.B.K. and J.L.)
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