bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A persistent northern boundary of Indian Summer Monsoon precipitation over Central Asia during the Holocene
Authors: Ramisch Arne , Lockot Gregori , Haberzettl Torsten , Hartmann Kai , Kuhn Gerhard , Lehmkuhl Frank , Schimpf Stefan , Schulte Philipp , Stauch Georg , Wang Rong , Wünnemann Bernd , Yan Dada , Zhang Yongzhan , Diekmann Bernhard
Published: May 2016

Extra-tropical circulation systems impede poleward moisture advection by the Indian Summer Monsoon. In this context, the Himalayan range is believed to insulate the south Asian circulation from extra-tropical influences and to delineate the northern extent of the Indian Summer Monsoon in central Asia. Paleoclimatic evidence, however, suggests increased moisture availability in the Early Holocene north of the Himalayan range which is attributed to an intensification of the Indian Summer Monsoon. Nevertheless, mechanisms leading to a surpassing of the Himalayan range and the northern maximum extent of summer monsoonal influence remain unknown. Here we show that the Kunlun barrier on the northern Tibetan Plateau [~36°N] delimits Indian Summer Monsoon precipitation during the Holocene. The presence of the barrier relocates the insulation effect 1,000 km further north, allowing a continental low intensity branch of the Indian Summer Monsoon which is persistent throughout the Holocene. Precipitation intensities at its northern extent seem to be driven by differentiated solar heating of the Northern Hemisphere indicating dependency on energy-gradients rather than absolute radiation intensities. The identified spatial constraints of monsoonal precipitation will facilitate the prediction of future monsoonal precipitation patterns in Central Asia under varying climatic conditions.
A homology-based pipeline for global prediction of post-translational modification sites
Authors: Chen Xiang , Shi Shao-Ping , Xu Hao-Dong , Suo Sheng-Bao , Qiu Jian-Ding
Published: May 2016

The pathways of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been shown to play particularly important roles for almost any biological process. Identification of PTM substrates along with information on the exact sites is fundamental for fully understanding or controlling biological processes. Alternative computational strategies would help to annotate PTMs in a high-throughput manner. Traditional algorithms are suited for identifying the common organisms and tissues that have a complete PTM atlas or extensive experimental data. While annotation of rare PTMs in most organisms is a clear challenge. In this work, to this end we have developed a novel homology-based pipeline named PTMProber that allows identification of potential modification sites for most of the proteomes lacking PTMs data. Cross-promotion E-value (CPE) as stringent benchmark has been used in our pipeline to evaluate homology to known modification sites. Independent-validation tests show that PTMProber achieves over 58.8% recall with high precision by CPE benchmark. Comparisons with other machine-learning tools show that PTMProber pipeline performs better on general predictions. In addition, we developed a web-based tool to integrate this pipeline at http://bioinfo.ncu.edu.cn/PTMProber/index.aspx. In addition to pre-constructed prediction models of PTM, the website provides an extensional functionality to allow users to customize models.
Alterations in gray matter volume due to unilateral hearing loss
Authors: Wang Xingchao , Xu Pengfei , Li Peng , Wang Zhenmin , Zhao Fu , Gao Zhixian , Xu Lei , Luo Yue-jia , Fan Jin , Liu Pinan
Published: May 2016

Although extensive research on neural plasticity resulting from hearing deprivation has been conducted, the direct influence of compromised audition on the auditory cortex and the potential impact of long durations of incomplete sensory stimulation on the adult cortex are still not fully understood. In this study, using voxel-based morphometry, we evaluated gray matter (GM) volume changes that may be associated with reduced hearing ability and the duration of hearing impairment in 42 unilateral hearing loss (UHL) patients with acoustic neuromas compared to 24 normal controls. We found significant GM volume increases in the somatosensory and motor systems and GM volume decreases in the auditory (i.e., Heschl’s gyrus) and visual systems (i.e., the calcarine cortex) in UHL patients. The GM volume decreases in the primary auditory cortex (i.e., superior temporal gyrus and Heschl’s gyrus) correlated with reduced hearing ability. Meanwhile, the GM volume decreases in structures involving high-level cognitive control functions (i.e., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex) correlated positively with hearing loss duration. Our findings demonstrated that the severity and duration of UHL may contribute to the dissociated morphology of auditory and high-level neural structures, providing insight into the brain’s plasticity related to chronic, persistent partial sensory loss.
Abrupt sand-dune accumulation at the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau challenges the wet MIS3a inferred from numerous lake-highstands
Authors: Long Hao , Fuchs Markus , Yang Linhai , Cheng Hongyi
Published: May 2016

Over the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions, numerous 14C-based lake records revealed a ubiquitous wet climatic period during 40–25 ka (late MIS 3), which is in contradiction with the global pattern of generally cold and dry climates. This paper focuses on OSL dating results of a large set of sand dunes and alluvial sediments (50 OSL ages) from the Qinwangchuan (QWC) Basin at the northeast edge of the Tibetan Plateau, with the aim to test the validity of the anomalous wet condition for the late MIS 3 interval, evidenced by numerous lake highstands. The abrupt sand dune accumulation as indication of increased aridity in the study area was OSL dated to ~40–13 ka. This dry climatic inference of the sand dune system from QWC apparently shows no wet MIS 3a event. Thus, the anomalous wet conditions revealed by high lake levels for the late MIS 3 phase may not be a universal phenomena across entire western China.
Boosting BCG-primed responses with a subunit Apa vaccine during the waning phase improves immunity and imparts protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Nandakumar Subhadra , Kannanganat Sunil , Dobos Karen M. , Lucas Megan , Spencer John S. , Amara Rama Rao , Plikaytis Bonnie B. , Posey James E. , Sable Suraj B.
Published: May 2016

Heterologous prime–boosting has emerged as a powerful vaccination approach against tuberculosis. However, optimal timing to boost BCG-immunity using subunit vaccines remains unclear in clinical trials. Here, we followed the adhesin Apa-specific T-cell responses in BCG-primed mice and investigated its BCG-booster potential. The Apa-specific T-cell response peaked 32–52 weeks after parenteral or mucosal BCG-priming but waned significantly by 78 weeks. A subunit-Apa-boost during the contraction-phase of BCG-response had a greater effect on the magnitude and functional quality of specific cellular and humoral responses compared to a boost at the peak of BCG-response. The cellular response increased following mucosal BCG-prime–Apa-subunit-boost strategy compared to Apa-subunit-prime–BCG-boost approach. However, parenteral BCG-prime–Apa-subunit-boost by a homologous route was the most effective strategy in-terms of enhancing specific T-cell responses during waning in the lung and spleen. Two Apa-boosters markedly improved waning BCG-immunity and significantly reduced Mycobacterium tuberculosis burdens post-challenge. Our results highlight the challenges of optimization of prime–boost regimens in mice where BCG drives persistent immune-activation and suggest that boosting with a heterologous vaccine may be ideal once the specific persisting effector responses are contracted. Our results have important implications for design of prime–boost regimens against tuberculosis in humans.
Effects of polarization mode dispersion on polarization-entangled photons generated via broadband pumped spontaneous parametric down-conversion
Authors: Lim Hyang-Tag , Hong Kang-Hee , Kim Yoon-Ho
Published: May 2016

An inexpensive and compact frequency multi-mode diode laser enables a compact two-photon polarization entanglement source via the continuous wave broadband pumped spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) process. Entanglement degradation caused by polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is one of the critical issues in optical fiber-based polarization entanglement distribution. We theoretically and experimentally investigate how the initial entanglement is degraded when the two-photon polarization entangled state undergoes PMD. We report an effect of PMD unique to broadband pumped SPDC, equally applicable to pulsed pumping as well as cw broadband pumping, which is that the amount of the entanglement degradation is asymmetrical to the PMD introduced to each quantum channel. We believe that our results have important applications in long-distance distribution of polarization entanglement via optical fiber channels.
External Volume Expansion Modulates Vascular Growth and Functional Maturation in a Swine Model
Authors: Kao Huang-Kai , Hsu Hsiang-Hao , Chuang Wen-Yu , Chen Sheng-Chih , Chen Bin , Wu Shinn-Chih , Guo Lifei
Published: May 2016

Despite increasing application of the pre-grafting expansion during autologous fat transplantation in breast reconstruction, little is known about its mechanism of action. To address that, ventral skins of miniature pigs were treated over a 10-day or 21-day period, with continuous suction at −50 mm Hg via a 7-cm diameter rubber-lined suction-cup device. Soft tissue thickness increased immediately after this external volume expansion (EVE) treatment, such increase completely disappeared by the next day. In the dermis and subcutaneous fat, the EVE treated groups showed significant increases in blood vessel density evident by CD31 staining as well as in vascular networks layered with smooth muscle cells when compared with the control group. This finding was corroborated by the increased percentage of endothelial cells present in the treatment groups. There was no significant difference in the percentages of proliferating basal keratinocytes or adipocytes, nor in epidermal thickness. Moreover, the EVE had no effect on proliferation or differentiation potential of adipose stem cells. Taken together, the major effects of EVE appeared to be vascular remodeling and maturation of functional blood vessels. This understanding may help clinicians optimize the vascularity of the recipient bed to further improve fat graft survival.
An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene in bat genomes derived from an ancient negative-strand RNA virus
Authors: Horie Masayuki , Kobayashi Yuki , Honda Tomoyuki , Fujino Kan , Akasaka Takumi , Kohl Claudia , Wibbelt Gudrun , Mühldorfer Kristin , Kurth Andreas , Müller Marcel A. , Corman Victor M. , Gillich Nadine , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Schwemmle Martin , Tomonaga Keizo
Published: May 2016

Endogenous bornavirus-like L (EBLL) elements are inheritable sequences derived from ancient bornavirus L genes that encode a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in many eukaryotic genomes. Here, we demonstrate that bats of the genus Eptesicus have preserved for more than 11.8 million years an EBLL element named eEBLL-1, which has an intact open reading frame of 1,718 codons. The eEBLL-1 coding sequence revealed that functional motifs essential for mononegaviral RdRp activity are well conserved in the EBLL-1 genes. Genetic analyses showed that natural selection operated on eEBLL-1 during the evolution of Eptesicus. Notably, we detected efficient transcription of eEBLL-1 in tissues from Eptesicus bats. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report showing that the eukaryotic genome has gained a riboviral polymerase gene from an ancient virus that has the potential to encode a functional RdRp.
The role and indications of aggressive locoregional therapy in metastatic inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Yan Yi , Tang Lili , Tong Wei , Zhou Jingyu
Published: May 2016

We seek to confirm the effect and explore the indications of aggressive locoregional management in patients with metastatic inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Between 2003 and 2014, we reviewed the records of 156 patients with metastatic IBC from five large centers of Breast Surgery in the region of central south of China. Clinicopathologic data were collected to access overall survival (OS), prognostic factors and the indications for locoregional treatment. 75 (48%) patients underwent aggressive locoregional therapy. Patients in locoregional therapy group had a median OS of 24 months compared with 17 months of those in no locoregional therapy group. 2-year OS rate of these two groups was 52% and 32%, separately. Locoregional therapy (HR = 0.556; 95% CI 0.385–0.803; p = 0.002) was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor, which could significantly improve OS of patients with metastatic IBC. For locoregional therapy group, statistical differences were observed in all subgroups stratified by the factors that were significant in univariate analysis except in the subgroups of stable disease, Charlson comorbidity index ≥3 and cerebral metastasis. Therefore, systemic therapy efficacy, Charlson comorbidity index and cerebral metastasis status appeared to be important indexes for choice of locoregional therapy in different individuals.
An investigation into blood microbiota and its potential association with Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO) in Broilers
Authors: Mandal Rabindra K. , Jiang Tieshan , Al-Rubaye Adnan A. , Rhoads Douglas D. , Wideman Robert F. , Zhao Jiangchao , Pevzner Igal , Kwon Young Min
Published: May 2016

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is a common cause of lameness in commercial broiler chickens worldwide. BCO represents substantial production loss and welfare issues of chickens. The bacterial species or communities underlying BCO pathogenesis still remain to be fully characterized. To gain insights on blood microbiota in broilers and its potential association with BCO, blood samples collected from healthy (n = 240) and lame (n = 12) chickens were analyzed by deep sequencing of 16S RNA genes. The chicken blood microbiota were dominated by Proteobacteria (60.58% ± 0.65) followed by Bactroidetes (13.99% ± 0.29), Firmicutes (11.45% ± 0.51), Actinobacteria (10.21% ± 0.37) and Cyanobacteria (1.96% ± 0.21) that constituted 98.18% (± 0.22) of the whole phyla. The bacterial communities consist of 30–40 OTUs in the blood of broiler chickens, regardless of ages and other environmental or host conditions and the blood microbiomes of BCO chickens were largely distinct from those of healthy chickens. In addition, Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) method revealed that Staphylococcus, Granulicatella and Microbacterium were significantly enriched in BCO chickens as compared to healthy chickens. The results from this study have significant implications in understanding blood microbiota present in broiler chickens and its potential role in BCO pathogenesis.
Changes in inflammatory cytokine networks in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Uzawa Akiyuki , Kanai Tetsuya , Kawaguchi Naoki , Oda Fumiko , Himuro Keiichi , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: May 2016

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmunological inflammatory disorder of the neuromuscular junction. Inflammation could be a key player for understanding the pathogenesis of MG. We measured the serum levels of 24 inflammatory cytokines in 43 patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive MG and 25 healthy controls. In patients with MG, serum levels of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), IL-19, IL-20, IL-28A and IL-35 were significantly increased as compared with controls (p < 0.05). Among them, IL-20, IL-28A and IL-35 were significantly decreased after treatment (p < 0.05). In clinical subtype analyses, APRIL and IL-20 were increased in patients with late-onset MG and IL-28A levels were increased in patients with thymoma-associated MG compared with healthy controls (p < 0.01). The results of the present study demonstrate both anti-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines are upregulated in MG, reflecting the importance of cytokine-mediated inflammation and its regulation in MG pathophysiology.
Crumpling Damaged Graphene
Authors: Giordanelli I. , Mendoza M. , Andrade J. S. , Gomes M. A. F. , Herrmann H. J.
Published: May 2016

Through molecular mechanics we find that non-covalent interactions modify the fractality of crumpled damaged graphene. Pristine graphene membranes are damaged by adding random vacancies and carbon-hydrogen bonds. Crumpled membranes exhibit a fractal dimension of 2.71 ± 0.02 when all interactions between carbon atoms are considered and 2.30 ± 0.05 when non-covalent interactions are suppressed. The transition between these two values, obtained by switching on/off the non-covalent interactions of equilibrium configurations, is shown to be reversible and independent on thermalisation. In order to explain this transition, we propose a theoretical model that is compatible with our numerical findings. Finally, we also compare damaged graphene membranes with other crumpled structures, as for instance polymerised membranes and paper sheets, that share similar scaling properties.
Targeted next-generation sequencing for the detection of ciprofloxacin resistance markers using molecular inversion probes
Authors: Stefan Christopher P. , Koehler Jeffrey W. , Minogue Timothy D.
Published: May 2016

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is an epidemic of increasing magnitude requiring rapid identification and profiling for appropriate and timely therapeutic measures and containment strategies. In this context, ciprofloxacin is part of the first-line of countermeasures against numerous high consequence bacteria. Significant resistance can occur via single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and deletions within ciprofloxacin targeted genes. Ideally, use of ciprofloxacin would be prefaced with AR determination to avoid overuse or misuse of the antibiotic. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of a panel of 44 single-stranded molecular inversion probes (MIPs) coupled to next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the detection of genetic variants known to confer ciprofloxacin resistance in Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and Francisella tularensis. Sequencing results demonstrate MIPs capture and amplify targeted regions of interest at significant levels of coverage. Depending on the genetic variant, limits of detection (LOD) for high-throughput pooled sequencing ranged from approximately 300–1800 input genome copies. LODs increased 10-fold in the presence of contaminating human genome DNA. In addition, we show that MIPs can be used as an enrichment step with high resolution melt (HRM) real-time PCR which is a sensitive assay with a rapid time-to-answer. Overall, this technology is a multiplexable upfront enrichment applicable with multiple downstream molecular assays for the detection of targeted genetic regions.
Embryonic and postnatal telomere length decrease with ovulation order within clutches
Authors: Noguera José C. , Metcalfe Neil B. , Reichert Sophie , Monaghan Pat
Published: May 2016

Telomere length (TL) in early life has been found to be predictive of subsequent lifespan. Factors such as parental TL, parental age and environmental conditions during development have been shown to contribute to the observed variation in TL among individuals. One factor that has not hitherto been considered is ovulation order, although it is well established that the last hatched/born offspring in a brood or litter often show relatively poor subsequent performance. We examined the within- and across-clutch effect of ovulation order on TL in embryos of zebra finches experiencing the same controlled incubation conditions (N = 151), and tested whether any such ovulation order effects remained detectable in adults (N = 122). Irrespective of clutch and egg size, TL in early-stage embryos (72 h incubation) markedly decreased with within-clutch ovulation order; the difference in TL of first and last-laid embryos was equivalent to the average within-individual telomere loss over the entire period of nestling and juvenile life. This ovulation-order effect occurred only within but not across clutches, and was still evident in adults. Given that TL in early life predicts lifespan, our results suggest that parental effects on telomere length could contribute to the known poor performance of later-ovulated family members.
Increased neuronal death and disturbed axonal growth in the Polμ-deficient mouse embryonic retina
Authors: Baleriola Jimena , Álvarez-Lindo Noemí , de la Villa Pedro , Bernad Antonio , Blanco Luis , Suárez Teresa , de la Rosa Enrique J.
Published: May 2016

Programmed cell death occurs naturally at different stages of neural development, including neurogenesis. The functional role of this early phase of neural cell death, which affects recently differentiated neurons among other cell types, remains undefined. Some mouse models defective in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair present massive cell death during neural development, occasionally provoking embryonic lethality, while other organs and tissues remain unaffected. This suggests that DSBs occur frequently and selectively in the developing nervous system. We analyzed the embryonic retina of a mouse model deficient in the error-prone DNA polymerase μ (Polμ), a key component of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair system. DNA DSBs were increased in the mutant mouse at embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5), as well as the incidence of cell death that affected young neurons, including retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Polμ−/− mice also showed disturbed RGC axonal growth and navigation, and altered distribution of the axonal guidance molecules L1-CAM and Bravo (also known as Nr-CAM). These findings demonstrate that Polμ is necessary for proper retinal development, and support that the generation of DSBs and their repair via the NHEJ pathway are genuine processes involved in neural development.
Disease-specific IgG Fc N-glycosylation as personalized biomarkers to differentiate gastric cancer from benign gastric diseases
Authors: Zhang Dan , Chen Bingchao , Wang Yanmin , Xia Peng , He Chengyan , Liu Yujie , Zhang Ruiqing , Zhang Mo , Li Zhili
Published: May 2016

Interest in the pathophysiological role of IgG fragment crystallizable (Fc) N-linked glycosylation arose from changes in humoral immune responses. In this study, circulating disease-specific IgG (DSIgG) derived from serum immunoinflammation-related protein complexes was isolated from 846 serum samples of 443 patients with benign gastric diseases (BGDs) and 403 patients with gastric cancer (GC), and DSIgG glycopeptides attached to IgG Fc region at the site of Asn297 were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization- Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTICR MS). A total of 22 glycopeptides were detected. Statistical analysis indicated that DSIgG1 G1S, DSIgG2 G0F, G1, G2F, and G2FS as well as DSIgG2 galactosylation and sialylation are significantly associated with sex in BGD patients and that the age-specific glycoforms and glycosylation features from DSIgG between BGD patients and GC patients have similar change trends. In addition, significant changes in galactosylation, sialylation, and bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) from DSIgG were also observed between two pathophysiological states. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the G2FN/G1FN (from DSIgG2) ratio has an excellent capability to distinguish female BGD patients from female GC patients over the age range of 20–79 years, with the sensitivity of 82.6%, the specificity of 82.6%, and the area under curve (AUC) of 0.872.
Dosimetric analysis of isocentrically shielded volumetric modulated arc therapy for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Lu Jia-Yang , Huang Bao-Tian , Xing Lei , Chang Daniel T. , Peng Xun , Xie Liang-Xi , Lin Zhi-Xiong , Li Mei
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to investigate the dosimetric characteristics of an isocentrically shielded RapidArc (IS-RA) technique for treatment of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer (lrNPC). In IS-RA, the isocenter was placed at the center of the pre-irradiated brainstem (BS)/spinal cord (SC) and the jaws were set to shield the BS/SC while ensuring the target coverage during the whole gantry rotation. For fifteen patients, the IS-RA plans were compared with the conventional RapidArc (C-RA) regarding target coverage, organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing and monitor units (MUs). The relationship between the dose reduction of BS/SC and some geometric parameters including the angle extended by the target with respect to the axis of BS/SC (Ang_BSSC), the minimum distance between the target and BS/SC (Dist_Min) and the target volume were evaluated. The IS-RA reduced the BS/SC doses by approximately 1–4 Gy on average over the C-RA, with more MUs. The IS-RA demonstrated similar target coverage and sparing of other OARs except for slightly improved sparing of optic structures. More dose reduction in the isocentric region was observed in the cases with larger Ang_BSSC or smaller Dist_Min. Our results indicated that the IS-RA significantly improves the sparing of BS/SC without compromising dosimetric requirements of other involved structures for lrNPC.
Sodium channel slow inactivation interferes with open channel block
Authors: Hampl Martin , Eberhardt Esther , O’Reilly Andrias O. , Lampert Angelika
Published: May 2016

Mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7 are linked to inherited pain syndromes such as erythromelalgia (IEM) and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD). PEPD mutations impair Nav1.7 fast inactivation and increase persistent currents. PEPD mutations also increase resurgent currents, which involve the voltage-dependent release of an open channel blocker. In contrast, IEM mutations, whenever tested, leave resurgent currents unchanged. Accordingly, the IEM deletion mutation L955 (ΔL955) fails to produce resurgent currents despite enhanced persistent currents, which have hitherto been considered a prerequisite for resurgent currents. Additionally, ΔL955 exhibits a prominent enhancement of slow inactivation (SI). We introduced mutations into Nav1.7 and Nav1.6 that either enhance or impair SI in order to investigate their effects on resurgent currents. Our results show that enhanced SI is accompanied by impaired resurgent currents, which suggests that SI may interfere with open-channel block.
Quantum Computation Based on Photons with Three Degrees of Freedom
Authors: Luo Ming-Xing , Li Hui-Ran , Lai Hong , Wang Xiaojun
Published: May 2016

Quantum systems are important resources for quantum computer. Different from previous encoding forms using quantum systems with one degree of freedom (DoF) or two DoFs, we investigate the possibility of photon systems encoding with three DoFs consisting of the polarization DoF and two spatial DoFs. By exploring the optical circular birefringence induced by an NV center in a diamond embedded in the photonic crystal cavity, we propose several hybrid controlled-NOT (hybrid CNOT) gates operating on the two-photon or one-photon system. These hybrid CNOT gates show that three DoFs may be encoded as independent qubits without auxiliary DoFs. Our result provides a useful way to reduce quantum simulation resources by exploring complex quantum systems for quantum applications requiring large qubit systems.
Role of an elliptical structure in photosynthetic energy transfer: Collaboration between quantum entanglement and thermal fluctuation
Authors: Oka Hisaki
Published: May 2016

Recent experiments have revealed that the light-harvesting complex 1 (LH1) in purple photosynthetic bacteria has an elliptical structure. Generally, symmetry lowering in a structure leads to a decrease in quantum effects (quantum coherence and entanglement), which have recently been considered to play a role in photosynthetic energy transfer and hence, elliptical structure seems to work against efficient photosynthetic energy transfer. Here we analyse the effect of an elliptical structure on energy transfer in a purple photosynthetic bacterium and reveal that the elliptical distortion rather enhances energy transfer from peripheral LH2 to LH1 at room temperature. Numerical results show that quantum entanglement between LH1 and LH2 is formed over a wider range of high energy levels than would have been the case with circular LH1. Light energy absorbed by LH2 is thermally pumped via thermal fluctuation and is effectively transferred to LH1 through the entangled states at room temperature rather than at low temperature. This result indicates the possibility that photosynthetic systems adopt an elliptical structure to effectively utilise both quantum entanglement and thermal fluctuation at physiological temperature.
Putative histidine kinase inhibitors with antibacterial effect against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates identified by in vitro and in silico screens
Authors: Velikova Nadya , Fulle Simone , Manso Ana Sousa , Mechkarska Milena , Finn Paul , Conlon J. Michael , Oggioni Marco Rinaldo , Wells Jerry M. , Marina Alberto
Published: May 2016

Novel antibacterials are urgently needed to address the growing problem of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics. Two-component systems (TCS) are widely used by bacteria to regulate gene expression in response to various environmental stimuli and physiological stress and have been previously proposed as promising antibacterial targets. TCS consist of a sensor histidine kinase (HK) and an effector response regulator. The HK component contains a highly conserved ATP-binding site that is considered to be a promising target for broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs. Here, we describe the identification of putative HK autophosphorylation inhibitors following two independent experimental approaches: in vitro fragment-based screen via differential scanning fluorimetry and in silico structure-based screening, each followed up by the exploration of analogue compounds as identified by ligand-based similarity searches. Nine of the tested compounds showed antibacterial effect against multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of bacterial pathogens and include three novel scaffolds, which have not been explored so far in other antibacterial compounds. Overall, putative HK autophosphorylation inhibitors were found that together provide a promising starting point for further optimization as antibacterials.
Mean serum-level of common organic pollutants is predictive of behavioral severity in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Boggess Andrew , Faber Scott , Kern John , Kingston H. M. Skip
Published: May 2016

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and their pathogenesis, are growing public health concerns. This study evaluated common organic pollutant serum-concentrations in children, as it related to behavioral severity determined by rating scales and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Thirty children, ages 2–9, with ASD and thirty controls matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic status were evaluated using direct blood serum sampling and ADOS. Pooling concentrations of all studied pollutants into a single variable yielded cohort-specific neurobehavioral relationships. Pooled serum-concentration correlated significantly with increasing behavioral severity on the ADOS in the ASD cohort (p = 0.011, r = 0.54), but not controls (p = 0.60, r = 0.11). Logistic regression significantly correlated mean pollutant serum-concentration with the probability of diagnosis of behaviorally severe autism, defined as ADOS >14, across all participants (odds ratio = 3.43 [95% confidence: 1.14–10.4], p = 0.0287). No specific analyte correlated with ADOS in either cohort. The ASD cohort displayed greater quantitative variance of analyte concentrations than controls (p = 0.006), suggesting a wide range of detoxification functioning in the ASD cohort. This study supports the hypothesis that environmental exposure to organic pollutants may play a significant role in the behavioral presentation of autism.
Functionalized hexagonal boron nitride nanomaterials: emerging properties and applications
Authors: Weng Qunhong , Wang Xuebin , Wang Xi , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri
Published: May 2016

Chemical and physical functionalization of hexagonal boron nitride materials breeds new properties and applications.
Interrupting the flux of delocalized electrons on a dibenzo-18-crown-6-embedded graphite sheet and its relative counteraction in the presence of potassium ions
Authors: Shamsipur Mojtaba , Taherpour Avat (Arman) , Pashabadi Afshin
Published: May 2016

Interrupting of the flux of delocalized electrons on the graphite sheet can be counteracted by K+.
Investigation of newly identified G-quadruplexes and their application to DNA detection
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Lin Min , Yang Xiaohai , Wu Bin , Chen Nandi , Wang Qing , Wang Kemin , Qin Shiya
Published: May 2016

G-quadruplexes are guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences that can act as universal signal-transducers and generate colorimetric, fluorescence, and chemiluminescence signals when complexed with different ligands.
Simple and sensitive microbial pathogen detection using a label-free DNA amplification assay
Authors: Sun Yuhuan , Zhao Chuanqi , Yan Zhengqing , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: May 2016

A simple and facile strategy for sensitive pathogen detection has been developed by a combination of quaternized magnetic nanoparticles and a label-free exonuclease III-assisted DNA amplification assay.
Hypoxia-responsive nanocarriers for cancer imaging and therapy: recent approaches and future perspectives
Authors: Thambi Thavasyappan , Park Jae Hyung , Lee Doo Sung
Published: May 2016

This review focuses on hypoxia-responsive nanocarriers, which can be disintegrated by recognizing the hypoxic microenvironment of cancer cells, and their utilization in cancer imaging and therapy.
Elucidating dominant pathways of the nano-particle self-assembly process
Authors: Zeng Xiangze , Li Bin , Qiao Qin , Zhu Lizhe , Lu Zhong-Yuan , Huang Xuhui
Published: May 2016

Self-assembly processes play a key role in the fabrication of functional nano-structures with wide application in drug delivery and micro-reactors.
Analysis of the magnetically induced current density of molecules consisting of annelated aromatic and antiaromatic hydrocarbon rings
Authors: Sundholm Dage , Berger Raphael J. F. , Fliegl Heike
Published: May 2016

The aromatic pathway of molecules with annelated aromatic and antiaromatic rings has been studied by calculating magnetically induced current densities.
Electric field effects on the electronic properties of the silicene–amine interface
Authors: Iida Kenji , Nobusada Katsuyuki
Published: May 2016

The mechanism of band gap variation in silicene–amine hetero-interface systems with an applied electric field is revealed by carrying out first-principles calculations.
Magnetite-supported palladium single-atoms do not catalyse the hydrogenation of alkenes but small clusters do
Authors: Rossell Marta D. , Caparrós Francisco J. , Angurell Inmaculada , Muller Guillermo , Llorca Jordi , Seco Miquel , Rossell Oriol
Published: May 2016

Pd clusters of low atomicity supported on magnetite nanoparticles are extremely active for the hydrogenation of styrene, overcoming the best reported TOFs.
A DPA-based highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for mercuric ions and its imaging in living cells
Authors: Jia Junhua , Wu Luling , Ding Yu , Huang Chusen , Zhu Weiping , Xu Yufang , Qian Xuhong
Published: May 2016

A DPA-based fluorescent probe was designed and synthesized for the recognition of mercuric ions and imaging in living cells. The fluorescent probe exhibits excellent selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg2+, and the detection limit was calculated to be 5.49 nM.
A family of acetato-diphenoxo triply bridged dimetallic ZnIILnIIIcomplexes: SMM behavior and luminescent properties
Authors: Oyarzabal Itziar , Artetxe Beñat , Rodríguez-Diéguez Antonio , García José Ángel , Seco José Manuel , Colacio Enrique
Published: May 2016

A new family of Zn–Ln complexes that show interesting magnetic (SIM) and luminescent properties has been synthesized and characterized.
Topoisomerase IIα poisoning and DNA double-strand breaking by chiral ruthenium(ii) complexes containing 2-furanyl-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives
Authors: Qian Chen , Wu Jingheng , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: May 2016

Some chiral ruthenium(ii) complexes bearing furan ligands were developed to act as topoisomerase IIα poisons and caused DNA double-strand damage that could lead to apoptosis.
Atomic force microscopy-guided fractionation reveals the influence of cranberry phytochemicals on adhesion of Escherichia coli
Authors: Gupta Prachi , Song Biqin , Neto Catherine , Camesano Terri A.
Published: May 2016

Characterization of cranberry juice fractions for their role in anti-adhesive properties against pathogenicE. coliusing Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
Downstream integration of microalgae harvesting and cell disruption by means of cationic surfactant-decorated Fe3O4nanoparticles
Authors: Seo Jung Yoon , Praveenkumar Ramasamy , Kim Bohwa , Seo Jeong-Cheol , Park Ji-Yeon , Na Jeong-Geol , Jeon Sang Goo , Park Seung Bin , Lee Kyubock , Oh You-Kwan
Published: May 2016

The functionalization of cationic surfactants on Fe3O4nanoparticles serves two roles at the same time: microalgae harvesting and cell disruption for lipid extraction.
Protein expression patterns of the yeast mating response
Authors: Yuan Haiyu , Zhang Rongfei , Shao Bin , Wang Xuan , Ouyang Qi , Hao Nan , Luo Chunxiong
Published: May 2016

We systematically studied dynamic protein expression patterns of the mating pathway under two conditions with high temporal resolution.
Anthranilic acid-containing cyclic tetrapeptides: at the crossroads of conformational rigidity and synthetic accessibility
Authors: Xin Dongyue , Burgess Kevin
Published: May 2016

Easier to prepare than cyclic tri- and tetra-peptides, more rigid than 13-membered rings containing other β-amino acids, and adopts stereochemically-tunable homogenous conformations.
Color tuning of alternating conjugated polymers composed of pentaazaphenalene by modulating their unique electronic structures involving isolated-LUMOs
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyuki , Hirose Masataka , Tanaka Kazuyoshi , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: May 2016

Pentaazaphenalene-containing polymers with unique conjugated systems were synthesized. Various colors can be observed from the polymer solutions.
Metal-free borylation of electron-rich aryl (pseudo)halides under continuous-flow photolytic conditions
Authors: Chen Kai , Cheung Man Sing , Lin Zhenyang , Li Pengfei
Published: May 2016

A photochemical borylation of electron-rich aryl (pseudo)halides via a triplet aryl cation mechanism has been described.
Exploration of the diastereoselectivity in an unusual Grignard reaction and its application towards the synthesis of styryl lactones 7-epi-(+)-goniodiol and 8-epi-(−)-goniodiol
Authors: Chavan Subhash P. , Khatod Harshali S. , Das Tamal , Vanka Kumar
Published: May 2016

An unusual diastereoselective Grignard reaction has been explored, where the Grignard reagents are derived from 1,n-dihaloalkanes.
Relaxation and magnetocaloric effect in the Mn12 molecular nanomagnet incorporated into mesoporous silica: a comparative study
Authors: Bałanda Maria , Pełka Robert , Fitta Magdalena , Laskowski Łukasz , Laskowska Magdalena
Published: May 2016

Successful incorporation of the Mn12 molecules into silica channels has been attested with AC susceptometry and magnetocaloric effect measurements.
Litchi-like CdS/CdTiO3–TiO2 composite: synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic performance for crystal violet degradation and hydrogen production
Authors: Li Yixuan , Zhang Wenzhi , Li Li , Yi Chunxiong , Lv Haiyuan , Song Qiang
Published: May 2016

CdS/CdTiO3–TiO2 composites prepared under different conditions contain a mixture of crystal phases of CdS, CdTiO3 and TiO2. The conditions of synthesis have an impact on the photocatalytic performance for dye degradation and hydrogen production.
Advances in exploring alternative Taxol sources
Authors: Liu W. C. , Gong T. , Zhu P.
Published: May 2016

The protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources are among the most pressing global problems of the 21st century.
A novel δ-MnO2with carbon nanotubes nanocomposite as an enzyme-free sensor for hydrogen peroxide electrosensing
Authors: Begum Halima , Ahmed Mohammad Shamsuddin , Jeon Seungwon
Published: May 2016

We have reported the synthesis and application of carbon nanotubes supported δ-MnO2(δ-MnO2/CNTs) nanocomposite as enzyme-free sensor for the detection of H2O2, where δ-MnO2serves as the catalytic center and CNTs as the highly conductive base.
Effective particle–hole symmetry breaking, quasi-bond state engineering and optical absorption in graphene based gated dot–ring nanostructures
Authors: Villegas-Lelovsky Leonardo , Marques Gilmar E. , Qu Fanyao , Lopez-Richard Victor
Published: May 2016

We have studied the nature- and character- switching of relativistic bound states in quantum dot–ring structures produced by a set of circular concentric metallic gates on a graphene sheet placed over a substrate.
K⊂{[FeII(Tp)(CN)3]4[CoIII(pzTp)]3[CoII(pzTp)]}: a neutral soluble model complex of photomagnetic Prussian blue analogues
Authors: Garnier D. , Jiménez J.-R. , Li Y. , von Bardeleben J. , Journaux Y. , Augenstein T. , Moos E. M. B. , Gamer M. T. , Breher F. , Lescouëzec R.
Published: May 2016

We report a new K⊂[Fe4Co4] cyanide box: a true soluble model of the photomagnetic FeCo Prussian blue analogues, which also shows photo-switchable SMM properties and remarkable redox versatility.
Carbon nanotube hybrid nanostructures: future generation conducting materials
Authors: Chinnappan Amutha , Baskar Chinnappan , Kim Hern , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: May 2016

CNT based nanocomposites are very attractive and an emerging new class of materials with unique properties. They are a major part of nanotechnology and capable of developing several fields in materials science and engineering.
Probing synergetic effects between platinum nanoparticles deposited via atomic layer deposition and a molybdenum carbide nanotube support through surface characterization and device performance
Authors: Saha Shibely , Martin Bridger , Leonard Brian , Li Dongmei
Published: May 2016

A phase-pure molybdenum carbide modified by Pt ALD significantly reduced Pt loading while enhancing the activity and durability of the resultant catalysts.
A new generation of highly sensitive luminescent thermometers operating in the optical window of biological tissues
Authors: Marciniak Lukasz , Bednarkiewicz Artur , Kowalska Diana , Strek Wieslaw
Published: May 2016

A new type of luminescent thermometer based on highly temperature dependent d–d Cr3+ transitions related to barely temperature dependent f–f Nd3+ transitions for bio-application is reported for the first time, showing exceptionally high sensitivity.
Switching between co‐located and distributed transmit diversity
Authors: Amini Sahar , Choi Kwonhue
Published: May 2016

The authors propose a dual mode transmit diversity (TD) scheme switching between co‐located TD (CTD) and distributed TD (DTD) based on the quasi‐static channel parameters. The authors first compare CTD and DTD according to spatial correlation coefficient (SCC) of CTD and distributed mean channel gain (MCG) of DTD. By using asymptotic bit error rate (BER) formula, the authors derive a compact and very accurate border equation of DTD‐preferred and CTD‐preferred regions in MCG ratio and SCC space. Based on the derived border, the authors propose a dual mode TD scheme switching between CTD and DTD according to MCG ratio and SCC. It is shown that the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) gain contours and the border line for TD switching are irrespective of SNR and modulation scheme. The results show that the proposed dual mode scheme outperforms the single modes not only in the location‐specific performance but also in the averaged performance over the cell area. In the averaged BER over the entire cell area, performance improvement of the dual mode scheme over CTD is significant if SCC is roughly larger than 0.6 irrespective of cell shape, spatial correlation model of CTD, path loss exponent and shadowing model.
Coordinated design of fuzzy‐based speed controller and auxiliary controllers in a variable speed wind turbine to enhance frequency control
Authors: Ashouri‐Zadeh Alireza , Toulabi Mohammadreza , Ranjbar Ali Mohammad
Published: May 2016

This paper proposes novel controllers for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)‐based wind turbines. These controllers not only optimize the transient behaviour of DFIGs, but also realize their participation in the power system frequency control task. The proposed controllers include one main speed controller as well as two auxiliary controllers. The main speed controller is a fuzzy‐based controller which their parameters are optimized using the genetic algorithm (GA) to achieve the optimal transient response. It applies the rotational speed signal and causes the DFIG to return to the maximum power point (MPP) quickly after any turbulent in the wind speed. Moreover, two smart auxiliary controllers, i.e., frequency deviation and wind speed oscillations controllers are suggested. The frequency deviation controller enables the DFIG frequency support and the wind speed oscillations controller alleviates the impacts of wind speed fluctuations on the wind turbine output power both with utilizing the wind turbine kinetic energy. To investigate the efficiency of main controller, two case studies are considered. Moreover, some time domain simulations are performed on IEEE 39‐bus system to evaluate the influences of the auxiliary controllers on the load frequency control task. Results confirm the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed controllers.
Dynamic state estimation of a permanent magnet synchronous generator‐based wind turbine
Authors: Shahriari Sayyed Ali Akbar , Raoofat Mahdi , Dehghani Maryam , Mohammadi Mohammad , Saad Maarouf
Published: May 2016

Precise modelling, control and monitoring of machines improve the overall stability and operation of power systems. State estimation reduces the effect of noises and presents all hidden variables, which can be beneficial especially in non‐linear control. In this study, first, a complete 16th‐order state space model is developed for a grid‐connected permanent magnet synchronous generator‐based wind turbine (PMSG‐WT). Due to non‐linearity of the model, extended Kalman filtering is utilised for state estimation. A phasor measurement unit connected to permanent magnet synchronous generator bus is utilised to provide required electrical values for state estimation in a synchronous manner. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed algorithm, four different cases are studied corroborating the robustness of the proposed algorithm in the presence of high noises or in the case of large disturbances. Some comparisons are also provided with another non‐linear model proposed recently for PMSG‐WT, which verifies the advantages of the proposed model. Such results are expected to improve stability of wind farms especially in the case of large disturbances, which can lead to enhancing the whole network stability.