bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-world Islands in a Social Media Sea: Nationalism and Censorship on Weibo during the 2012 Diaoyu/Senkaku Crisis
Authors: Cairns Christopher , Carlson Allen
Published: January 2016

During August and September 2012, Sino-Japanese conflict over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands escalated. Alongside street demonstrations in China, there was an outpouring of public sentiment on China's leading micro-blog, Sina Weibo (微波). Using human and computer-assisted content analysis, we exploit original Weibo data to measure how public sentiment in China fluctuated over the dispute, and ask two questions. First, how cohesive and volatile were online nationalist sentiments? Second, we measure government censorship of Weibo in order to ask which sentiments did authorities allow to be expressed, and when? We first find that many of the micro-bloggers' harshest invective was directed not at Japan but at their own government. Second, while censorship remained high across topics for most of the dispute, it plummeted on 18 August – the same day as bloggers' anger at Beijing peaked. These observations suggest three theoretical explanations: two are instrumental-strategic (“audience costs” and “safety valve”) and one is ideational (elite identification with protesters).
HEALTH, HUMAN CAPITAL FORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION: TWO CENTURIES OF INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Madsen Jakob B.
Published: January 2016

Recent medical research shows that health is highly influential on learning and the ability to think laterally; however, past economic studies have failed to empirically examine the influence of health on learning, schooling, and ideas production, the main drivers of growth in endogenous growth models. This paper constructs a measure of health-adjusted educational attainment among the working age population based on their health status during the time they obtained their education. Using annual data for 21 OECD countries over the past two centuries, it is shown that health has been highly influential on the quantity and quality of schooling, innovation, and growth.
FINANCIAL FRICTIONS IN THE EURO AREA AND THE UNITED STATES: A BAYESIAN ASSESSMENT
Authors: Villa Stefania
Published: January 2016

This paper assesses the empirical relevance of financial frictions in the Euro Area (EA) and the United States (US). It provides a comprehensive set of comparisons between two models: (i) a Smets and Wouters (SW) [F. Smets and R. Wouters, Shocks and frictions in US business cycles: A Bayesian DSGE approach,American Economic Review97(3), 586–606 (2007)] model with financial frictions originating in nonfinancial firms and (ii) a SW model with frictions originating in financial intermediaries. The introduction of financial frictions in either way improves the models' fit compared to a standard SW model, and the empirical comparisons reveal that the latter model outperforms the former both in the euro area and in the United States. Two main factors explain this result: first, the magnitude of the financial accelerator effect, and second, the role of the investment-specific technology shock in affecting financial variables.
Reciprocal relationship between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms from childhood to adolescence: 10-year follow-up of the Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-Term Evolution study
Authors: Wu Wen-Chi , Luh Dih-Lin , Lin Ching-I , Chiang Yi-Chen , Hung Chao-Chia , Wang Sabrina , Wu Chi-Chen , Hurng Baai-Shyun , Chang Yi-Han , Yen Lee-Lan , Chang Hsing-Yi
Published: January 2016

Objective

To investigate the reciprocal relationship between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms from childhood to adolescence.

Design

Unhealthy eating behaviours were measured by the frequencies of eating foods with excess salt, sugar or fat in the past week. Depressive symptoms in the past two weeks were measured using a seven-item scale. Hierarchical linear growth models were used to analyse longitudinal associations between unhealthy eating behaviours and depressive symptoms. Time-fixed variables (sex, parents’ education level and household monthly income) and time-varying variables (parents’ marital status, family activities, body weight, vegetable or fruit consumption, exercising and smoking) were controlled for.

Setting

The Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-Term Evolution study, which commenced in 2001 and has annual follow-up.

Subjects

Students (n2630) followed from 2nd grade (8 years old in 2002) to 11th grade.

Results

The frequency of unhealthy eating behaviours in the previous year and the difference between the frequency in the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initiation and growth rate of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms in the previous year and the difference in depressive symptoms between the previous and successive year were positively associated with the initial state and growth rate of unhealthy eating behaviours.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and unhealthy eating behaviours. This relationship should be considered when developing programmes targeting depressive symptoms and unhealthy diet in children and adolescents.
Critical role of spatial information from chiral-asymmetric peptides in the earliest occurrence of life
Authors: Cruz-Rosas Hugo I. , Riquelme Francisco , Maldonado Mariel , Cocho Germinal
Published: January 2016

The earliest functional living system on Earth should have been able to reproduce an ordered configuration and a self-organization dynamics. It was capable of resisting a random variability in time and space to keep the functionality. Amino acids (AAs) and nucleobases generated from abiotic reactions as seen in laboratory-based experiments have demonstrated that molecular elements for life can be obtained by predictable physicochemical processes. However, a functional, self-organized living system needs complex molecular interactions to endure. In this paper, we address the transference of spatial information on highly enantiopure polymers as a critical condition to support the dynamics in a self-organized biogenic system. Previous scenarios have considered almost exclusively the information encoded in sequences as the suitable source of prebiotic information. But the spatial information transference has been poorly understood thus far. We provide the supporting statements which predict that the ordered configuration in a biogenic system should be significantly influenced by spatial information, instead of being exclusively generated by sequences of polymers. This theoretical approach takes into consideration that the properties of mutation and inheritance did not develop before definition of the structures that allow the management of information. Rather, we postulate that the molecular structures to store and transfer information must exist at first, in order to retain particular functional ‘meaning’, and subsequently, such information can be ‘inherited’ and eventually modified. Thus, the present contribution follows the theory that life was originated from an unstable prebiotic environment that involves the early spatial information transference based on large chiral asymmetry.
Staring Down Death
Authors: Joiner Thomas E. , Hom Melanie A. , Rogers Megan L. , Chu Carol , Stanley Ian H. , Wynn Gary H. , Gutierrez Peter M.
Published: January 2016

Abstract. Background: Lowered eye blink rate may be a clinically useful indicator of acute, imminent, and severe suicide risk. Diminished eye blink rates are often seen among individuals engaged in heightened concentration on a specific task that requires careful planning and attention. Indeed, overcoming one’s biological instinct for survival through suicide necessitates premeditation and concentration; thus, a diminished eye blink rate may signal imminent suicidality. Aims: This article aims to spur research and clinical inquiry into the role of eye blinks as an indicator of acute suicide risk. Method: Literature relevant to the potential connection between eye blink rate and suicidality was reviewed and synthesized. Results: Anecdotal, cognitive, neurological, and conceptual support for the relationship between decreased blink rate and suicide risk is outlined. Conclusion: Given that eye blinks are a highly observable behavior, the potential clinical utility of using eye blink rate as a marker of suicide risk is immense. Research is warranted to explore the association between eye blink rate and acute suicide risk.
Soil Texture Determines How Groundwater and Rain Impact Crops
Authors: Strelich Lily
Published: January 2016

Scientists model water table depth, soil texture, and weather conditions to identify how these variables interact to make or break corn yields.
A CD2 high‐expressing stress‐resistant human plasmacytoid dendritic‐cell subset
Authors: Bryant Christian , Fromm Phillip D , Kupresanin Fiona , Clark Georgina , Lee Kenneth , Clarke Candice , Silveira Pablo A , Suen Hayley , Brown Ross , Newman Elizabeth , Cunningham Ilona , Ho P Joy , Gibson John , Bradstock Kenneth , Joshua Douglas , Hart Derek NJ
Published: January 2016

Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were considered to be a phenotypically and functionally homogeneous cell population; however, recent analyses indicate potential heterogeneity. This is of major interest, given their importance in the induction of anti‐viral responses and their role in creating immunologically permissive environments for human malignancies. For this reason, we investigated the possible presence of human pDC subsets in blood and bone marrow, using unbiased cell phenotype clustering and functional studies. This defined two major functionally distinct human pDC subsets, distinguished by differential expression of CD2. The CD2hi and CD2lo pDCs represent discontinuous subsets, each with hallmark pDC functionality, including interferon‐alpha production. The rarer CD2hi pDC subset demonstrated a significant survival advantage over CD2lo pDC during stress and upon exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs), which was associated with higher expression of the anti‐apoptotic molecule BCL2. The differential sensitivity of these two human pDC subsets to GCs is demonstrated in vivo by a relative increase in CD2hi pDC in multiple myeloma patients treated with GCs. Hence, the selective apoptosis of CD2lo pDC during stress represents a novel mechanism for the control of innate responses.
Evolutionary distinctiveness of fatty acid and polyketide synthesis in eukaryotes
Authors: Kohli Gurjeet S , John Uwe , Van Dolah Frances M , Murray Shauna A
Published: January 2016

Fatty acids, which are essential cell membrane constituents and fuel storage molecules, are thought to share a common evolutionary origin with polyketide toxins in eukaryotes. While fatty acids are primary metabolic products, polyketide toxins are secondary metabolites that are involved in ecologically relevant processes, such as chemical defence, and produce the adverse effects of harmful algal blooms. Selection pressures on such compounds may be different, resulting in differing evolutionary histories. Surprisingly, some studies of dinoflagellates have suggested that the same enzymes may catalyse these processes. Here we show the presence and evolutionary distinctiveness of genes encoding six key enzymes essential for fatty acid production in 13 eukaryotic lineages for which no previous sequence data were available (alveolates: dinoflagellates, Vitrella, Chromera; stramenopiles: bolidophytes, chrysophytes, pelagophytes, raphidophytes, dictyochophytes, pinguiophytes, xanthophytes; Rhizaria: chlorarachniophytes, haplosporida; euglenids) and 8 other lineages (apicomplexans, bacillariophytes, synurophytes, cryptophytes, haptophytes, chlorophyceans, prasinophytes, trebouxiophytes). The phylogeny of fatty acid synthase genes reflects the evolutionary history of the organism, indicating selection to maintain conserved functionality. In contrast, polyketide synthase gene families are highly expanded in dinoflagellates and haptophytes, suggesting relaxed constraints in their evolutionary history, while completely absent from some protist lineages. This demonstrates a vast potential for the production of bioactive polyketide compounds in some lineages of microbial eukaryotes, indicating that the evolution of these compounds may have played an important role in their ecological success.
Native characterization of nucleic acid motif thermodynamics via non-covalent catalysis
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Bae Jin H. , Zhang David Yu
Published: January 2016

DNA hybridization thermodynamics is critical for accurate design of oligonucleotides for biotechnology and nanotechnology applications, but parameters currently in use are inaccurately extrapolated based on limited quantitative understanding of thermal behaviours. Here, we present a method to measure the ΔG° of DNA motifs at temperatures and buffer conditions of interest, with significantly better accuracy (6- to 14-fold lower s.e.) than prior methods. The equilibrium constant of a reaction with thermodynamics closely approximating that of a desired motif is numerically calculated from directly observed reactant and product equilibrium concentrations; a DNA catalyst is designed to accelerate equilibration. We measured the ΔG° of terminal fluorophores, single-nucleotide dangles and multinucleotide dangles, in temperatures ranging from 10 to 45 °C.
D25V apolipoprotein C-III variant causes dominant hereditary systemic amyloidosis and confers cardiovascular protective lipoprotein profile
Authors: Valleix Sophie , Verona Guglielmo , Jourde-Chiche Noémie , Nédelec Brigitte , Mangione P. Patrizia , Bridoux Frank , Mangé Alain , Dogan Ahmet , Goujon Jean-Michel , Lhomme Marie , Dauteuille Carolane , Chabert Michèle , Porcari Riccardo , Waudby Christopher A. , Relini Annalisa , Talmud Philippa J. , Kovrov Oleg , Olivecrona Gunilla , Stoppini Monica , Christodoulou John , Hawkins Philip N. , Grateau Gilles , Delpech Marc , Kontush Anatol , Gillmore Julian D. , Kalopissis Athina D. , Bellotti Vittorio
Published: January 2016

Apolipoprotein C-III deficiency provides cardiovascular protection, but apolipoprotein C-III is not known to be associated with human amyloidosis. Here we report a form of amyloidosis characterized by renal insufficiency caused by a new apolipoprotein C-III variant, D25V. Despite their uremic state, the D25V-carriers exhibit low triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein C-III levels, and low very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)/high high-density lipoprotein (HDL) profile. Amyloid fibrils comprise the D25V-variant only, showing that wild-type apolipoprotein C-III does not contribute to amyloid deposition in vivo. The mutation profoundly impacts helical structure stability of D25V-variant, which is remarkably fibrillogenic under physiological conditions in vitro producing typical amyloid fibrils in its lipid-free form. D25V apolipoprotein C-III is a new human amyloidogenic protein and the first conferring cardioprotection even in the unfavourable context of renal failure, extending the evidence for an important cardiovascular protective role of apolipoprotein C-III deficiency. Thus, fibrate therapy, which reduces hepatic APOC3 transcription, may delay amyloid deposition in affected patients.
Bioabsorbable polymer optical waveguides for deep-tissue photomedicine
Authors: Nizamoglu Sedat , Gather Malte C. , Humar Matjaž , Choi Myunghwan , Kim Seonghoon , Kim Ki Su , Hahn Sei Kwang , Scarcelli Giuliano , Randolph Mark , Redmond Robert W. , Yun Seok Hyun
Published: January 2016

Advances in photonics have stimulated significant progress in medicine, with many techniques now in routine clinical use. However, the finite depth of light penetration in tissue is a serious constraint to clinical utility. Here we show implantable light-delivery devices made of bio-derived or biocompatible, and biodegradable polymers. In contrast to conventional optical fibres, which must be removed from the body soon after use, the biodegradable and biocompatible waveguides may be used for long-term light delivery and need not be removed as they are gradually resorbed by the tissue. As proof of concept, we demonstrate this paradigm-shifting approach for photochemical tissue bonding (PTB). Using comb-shaped planar waveguides, we achieve a full thickness (>10 mm) wound closure of porcine skin, which represents ∼10-fold extension of the tissue area achieved with conventional PTB. The results point to a new direction in photomedicine for using light in deep tissues.
Evolution of the fish heart by sub/neofunctionalization of an elastin gene
Authors: Moriyama Yuuta , Ito Fumihiro , Takeda Hiroyuki , Yano Tohru , Okabe Masataka , Kuraku Shigehiro , Keeley Fred W. , Koshiba-Takeuchi Kazuko
Published: January 2016

The evolution of phenotypic traits is a key process in diversification of life. However, the mechanisms underlying the emergence of such evolutionary novelties are largely unknown. Here we address the origin of bulbus arteriosus (BA), an organ of evolutionary novelty seen in the teleost heart outflow tract (OFT), which sophisticates their circulatory system. The BA is a unique organ that is composed of smooth muscle while the OFTs in other vertebrates are composed of cardiac muscle. Here we reveal that the teleost-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) gene,elastin b, was generated by the teleost-specific whole-genome duplication and neofunctionalized to contribute to acquisition of the BA by regulating cell fate determination of cardiac precursor cells into smooth muscle. Furthermore, we show that the mechanotransduceryapis involved in this cell fate determination. Our findings reveal a mechanism of generating evolutionary novelty through alteration of cell fate determination by the ECM.
Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon genomes from East England reveal British migration history
Authors: Schiffels Stephan , Haak Wolfgang , Paajanen Pirita , Llamas Bastien , Popescu Elizabeth , Loe Louise , Clarke Rachel , Lyons Alice , Mortimer Richard , Sayer Duncan , Tyler-Smith Chris , Cooper Alan , Durbin Richard
Published: January 2016

British population history has been shaped by a series of immigrations, including the early Anglo-Saxon migrations after 400 CE. It remains an open question how these events affected the genetic composition of the current British population. Here, we present whole-genome sequences from 10 individuals excavated close to Cambridge in the East of England, ranging from the late Iron Age to the middle Anglo-Saxon period. By analysing shared rare variants with hundreds of modern samples from Britain and Europe, we estimate that on average the contemporary East English population derives 38% of its ancestry from Anglo-Saxon migrations. We gain further insight with a new method, rarecoal, which infers population history and identifies fine-scale genetic ancestry from rare variants. Using rarecoal we find that the Anglo-Saxon samples are closely related to modern Dutch and Danish populations, while the Iron Age samples share ancestors with multiple Northern European populations including Britain.
Substantial bulk photovoltaic effect enhancement via nanolayering
Authors: Wang Fenggong , Young Steve M. , Zheng Fan , Grinberg Ilya , Rappe Andrew M.
Published: January 2016

Spontaneous polarization and inversion symmetry breaking in ferroelectric materials lead to their use as photovoltaic devices. However, further advancement of their applications are hindered by the paucity of ways of reducing bandgaps and enhancing photocurrent. By unravelling the correlation between ferroelectric materials’ responses to solar irradiation and their local structure and electric polarization landscapes, here we show from first principles that substantial bulk photovoltaic effect enhancement can be achieved by nanolayering PbTiO3 with nickel ions and oxygen vacancies ((PbNiO2)x(PbTiO3)1−x). The enhancement of the total photocurrent for different spacings between the Ni-containing layers can be as high as 43 times due to a smaller bandgap and photocurrent direction alignment for all absorption energies. This is due to the electrostatic effect that arises from nanolayering. This opens up the possibility for control of the bulk photovoltaic effect in ferroelectric materials by nanoscale engineering of their structure and composition.
TRAIP/RNF206 is required for recruitment of RAP80 to sites of DNA damage
Authors: Soo Lee Nam , Jin Chung Hee , Kim Hyoung-June , Yun Lee Seo , Ji Jae-Hoon , Seo Yoojeong , Hun Han Seung , Choi Minji , Yun Miyong , Lee Seok-Geun , Myung Kyungjae , Kim Yonghwan , Chul Kang Ho , Kim Hongtae
Published: January 2016

RAP80 localizes to sites of DNA insults to enhance the DNA-damage responses. Here we identify TRAIP/RNF206 as a novel RAP80-interacting protein and find that TRAIP is necessary for translocation of RAP80 to DNA lesions. Depletion of TRAIP results in impaired accumulation of RAP80 and functional downstream partners, including BRCA1, at DNA lesions. Conversely, accumulation of TRAIP is normal in RAP80-depleted cells, implying that TRAIP acts upstream of RAP80 recruitment to DNA lesions. TRAIP localizes to sites of DNA damage and cells lacking TRAIP exhibit classical DNA-damage response-defect phenotypes. Biochemical analysis reveals that the N terminus of TRAIP is crucial for RAP80 interaction, while the C terminus of TRAIP is required for TRAIP localization to sites of DNA damage through a direct interaction with RNF20–RNF40. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the novel RAP80-binding partner TRAIP regulates recruitment of the damage signalling machinery and promotes homologous recombination.
DSF Guided Refolding As A Novel Method Of Protein Production
Authors: Biter Amadeo B. , de la Peña Andres H. , Thapar Roopa , Lin Jean Z. , Phillips Kevin J.
Published: January 2016

The Anfinsen hypothesis, the demonstration of which led to the Nobel prize in Chemistry, posits that all information required to determine a proteins’ three dimensional structure is contained within its amino acid sequence. This suggests that it should be possible, in theory, to fold any protein in vitro. In practice, however, protein production by refolding is challenging because suitable refolding conditions must be empirically determined for each protein and can be painstaking. Here we demonstrate, using a variety of proteins, that differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) can be used to determine and optimize conditions that favor proper protein folding in a rapid and high-throughput fashion. The resulting method, which we deem DSF guided refolding (DGR), thus enables the production of aggregation-prone and disulfide-containing proteins by refolding from E. coli inclusion bodies, which would not normally be amenable to production in bacteria.
Semi-coke briquettes: towards reducing emissions of primary PM2.5, particulate carbon and carbon monoxide from household coal combustion in China
Authors: Li Qing , Li Xinghua , Jiang Jingkun , Duan Lei , Ge Su , Zhang Qi , Deng Jianguo , Wang Shuxiao , Hao Jiming
Published: January 2016

Direct household use of unprocessed raw coals for cooking and heating without any air pollution control device has caused serious indoor and outdoor environment problems by emitting particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants. This study examined household emission reduction by switching from unprocessed bituminous and anthracite coals to processed semi-coke briquettes. Two typical stoves were used to test emission characteristics when burning 20 raw coal samples commonly used in residential heating activities and 15 semi-coke briquette samples which were made from bituminous coals by industrial carbonization treatment. The carbonization treatment removes volatile compounds from raw coals which are the major precursors for PM formation and carbon emission. The average emission factors of primary PM2.5, elemental carbon, organic carbon and carbon monoxide for the tested semi-coke briquettes are much lower than those of the tested raw coals. Based on the current coal consumption data in China, switching to semi-coke briquettes can reduce average emission factors of these species by about 92%, 98%, 91% and 34%, respectively. Additionally, semi-coke briquette has relatively lower price and higher burnout ratio. The replacement of raw coals with semi-coke briquettes is a feasible path to reduce pollution emissions from household activities.
Preservation of carbon dioxide clathrate hydrate in the presence of trehalose under freezer conditions
Authors: Nagashima Hironori D. , Takeya Satoshi , Uchida Tsutomu , Ohmura Ryo
Published: January 2016

To investigate the preservation of CO2 clathrate hydrate in the presence of sugar for the novel frozen dessert, mass fractions of CO2 clathrate hydrate in CO2 clathrate hydrate samples coexisting with trehalose were intermittently measured. The samples were prepared from trehalose aqueous solution with trehalose mass fractions of 0.05 and 0.10 at 3.0 MPa and 276.2 K. The samples having particle sizes of 1.0 mm and 5.6–8.0 mm were stored at 243.2 K and 253.2 K for three weeks under atmospheric pressure. The mass fractions of CO2 clathrate hydrate in the samples were 0.87–0.97 before the preservation and CO2 clathrate hydrate still remained 0.56–0.76 in the mass fractions for 5.6–8.0 mm samples and 0.37–0.55 for 1.0 mm samples after the preservation. The preservation in the trehalose system was better than in the sucrose system and comparable to that in the pure CO2 clathrate hydrate system. This comparison indicates that trehalose is a more suitable sugar for the novel frozen carbonated dessert using CO2 clathrate hydrate than sucrose in terms of CO2 concentration in the dessert. It is inferred that existence of aqueous solution in the samples is a significant factor of the preservation of CO2 clathrate hydrate in the presence of sugar.
Renormalization-group approach to quantum Fisher information in an XY model with staggered Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction
Authors: Liu X. M. , Cheng W. W. , Liu J. -M.
Published: January 2016

We investigate the quantum Fisher information and quantum phase transitions of an XY spin chain with staggered Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction using the quantum renormalization-group method. The quantum Fisher information, its first-derivatives and the finite-size scaling behaviors are rigorously calculated respectively. The singularity of the derivatives at the phase transition point as a function of lattice size is carefully discussed and it is revealed that the scaling exponent for quantum Fisher information at the critical point can be used to describe the correlation length of this model, addressing the substantial role of staggered Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in modulating quantum phase transitions.
Suicide Risk Associated with Experience of Violence and Impulsivity in Alcohol Dependent Patients
Authors: Khemiri Lotfi , Jokinen Jussi , Runeson Bo , Jayaram-Lindström Nitya
Published: January 2016

Alcohol dependence (AD) and aggression-impulsivity are both associated with increased suicide risk. There is a need to evaluate clinical tools in order to improve suicide risk assessment of AD patients. The present study consisted of 95 individuals with a diagnosis of AD, consecutively admitted for addiction treatment, compared with 95 healthy controls. Suicidal risk was assessed together with exposure of violence and impulsivity. AD patients reported significantly higher rates of exposure to violence in childhood, as measured by the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS), compared to HC. Within the AD group, individuals with history of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior reported higher levels of violence experience compared to AD individuals without such history. AD patients with previous suicidal ideation scored higher on self-reported impulsivity as assessed by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS). Our main finding was that experience of trauma and expression of violent behavior, coupled with increased impulsivity are associated with an elevated suicide risk in AD patients. Future longitudinal studies assessing these traits are needed to evaluate their potential role in identifying AD patients at risk of future suicide.
Machine learning bandgaps of double perovskites
Authors: Pilania G. , Mannodi-Kanakkithodi A. , Uberuaga B. P. , Ramprasad R. , Gubernatis J. E. , Lookman T.
Published: January 2016

The ability to make rapid and accurate predictions on bandgaps of double perovskites is of much practical interest for a range of applications. While quantum mechanical computations for high-fidelity bandgaps are enormously computation-time intensive and thus impractical in high throughput studies, informatics-based statistical learning approaches can be a promising alternative. Here we demonstrate a systematic feature-engineering approach and a robust learning framework for efficient and accurate predictions of electronic bandgaps of double perovskites. After evaluating a set of more than 1.2 million features, we identify lowest occupied Kohn-Sham levels and elemental electronegativities of the constituent atomic species as the most crucial and relevant predictors. The developed models are validated and tested using the best practices of data science and further analyzed to rationalize their prediction performance.
Silver Nanoparticle-Deposited Boron Nitride Nanosheets as Fillers for Polymeric Composites with High Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Wang Fangfang , Zeng Xiaoliang , Yao Yimin , Sun Rong , Xu Jianbin , Wong Ching-Ping
Published: January 2016

Polymer composites with high thermal conductivity have recently attracted much attention, along with the rapid development of the electronic devices toward higher speed and performance. However, a common method to enhance polymer thermal conductivity through an addition of high thermally conductive fillers usually cannot provide an expected value, especially for composites requiring electrical insulation. Here, we show that polymeric composites with silver nanoparticle-deposited boron nitride nanosheets as fillers could effectively enhance the thermal conductivity of polymer, thanks to the bridging connections of silver nanoparticles among boron nitride nanosheets. The thermal conductivity of the composite is significantly increased from 1.63 W/m-K for the composite filled with the silver nanoparticle-deposited boron nitride nanosheets to 3.06 W/m-K at the boron nitride nanosheets loading of 25.1 vol %. In addition, the electrically insulating properties of the composite are well preserved. Fitting the measured thermal conductivity of epoxy composite with one physical model indicates that the composite with silver nanoparticle-deposited boron nitride nanosheets outperforms the one with boron nitride nanosheets, owning to the lower thermal contact resistance among boron nitride nanosheets’ interfaces. The finding sheds new light on enhancement of thermal conductivity of the polymeric composites which concurrently require the electrical insulation.
Determination of Interleukin 27-Producing CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells for The Differentiation Between Tuberculous and Malignant Pleural Effusions
Authors: Liu Ya-Lan , Wu Yan-Bing , Zhai Kan , Wang Xiao-Juan , Shi Huan-Zhong
Published: January 2016

The numbers of IL-27+CD4+and IL-27+CD8+T cells have been found to be increased in tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) as compared with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether pleural IL-27+CD4+and IL-27+CD8+T cells can distinguish patients with TPE from those with MPE. Paired specimen of pleural fluid and peripheral blood were collected from 35 patients with TPE and 46 MPE. The numbers of IL-27+CD4+and IL-27+CD8+T cells were simultaneously determined by flow cytometry. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the capacity of IL-27+CD4+and IL-27+CD8+T cells to differentiate TPE from MPE. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of IL-27+CD4+T cells were 94.3%, 93.5%, 14.46, 0.06, 91.7% and 95.6%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, PPV and NPV of IL-27+CD8+T cells were 80.0%, 93.5%, 12.27, 0.21, 90.3% and 86.0%, respectively. The number of IL-27+CD4+in pleural fluid is a helpful diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis of TPE, which performs better than that of IL-27+CD8+T cells.
Synthesis of two-dimensional TlxBi1−x compounds and Archimedean encoding of their atomic structure
Authors: Gruznev Dimitry V. , Bondarenko Leonid V. , Matetskiy Andrey V. , Mihalyuk Alexey N. , Tupchaya Alexandra Y. , Utas Oleg A. , Eremeev Sergey V. , Hsing Cheng-Rong , Chou Jyh-Pin , Wei Ching-Ming , Zotov Andrey V. , Saranin Alexander A.
Published: January 2016

Crystalline atomic layers on solid surfaces are composed of a single building block, unit cell, that is copied and stacked together to form the entire two-dimensional crystal structure. However, it appears that this is not an unique possibility. We report here on synthesis and characterization of the one-atomic-layer-thick TlxBi1−x compounds which display quite a different arrangement. It represents a quasi-periodic tiling structures that are built by a set of tiling elements as building blocks. Though the layer is lacking strict periodicity, it shows up as an ideally-packed tiling of basic elements without any skips or halting. The two-dimensional TlxBi1−x compounds were formed by depositing Bi onto the Tl-covered Si(111) surface where Bi atoms substitute appropriate amount of Tl atoms. Atomic structure of each tiling element as well as arrangement of TlxBi1−x compounds were established in a detail. Electronic properties and spin texture of the selected compounds having periodic structures were characterized. The shown example demonstrates possibility for the formation of the exotic low-dimensional materials via unusual growth mechanisms.
miRNA-378 reverses chemoresistance to cisplatin in lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting secreted clusterin
Authors: Chen Xuesong , Jiang Ying , Huang Zheping , Li Dandan , Chen Xiaodi , Cao Mengru , Meng Qingwei , Pang Hui , Sun Lichun , Zhao Yanbin , Cai Li
Published: January 2016

Cisplatin resistance is a major obstacle in the treatment of NSCLC and its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The objectives of the study were to determine the role of miR-378 in the sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin (cDDP) and its working mechanism. With TargetScan and luciferase assay, miR-378 was found to directly target sCLU. miR-378 and sCLU were regulated in A549/cDDP and Anip973/cDDP cells to investigate the effect of miR-378 on the sensitivity and apoptotic effects of cDDP. The effect of miR-378 upregulation on tumor growth was analyzed in a nude mouse xenograft model. The correlation between miR-378 and chemoresistance was tested in patient samples. We found that upregulation of miR-378 in A549/cDDP and Anip973/cDDP cells significantly down-regulated sCLU expression and sensitized these cells to cDDP. miR-378 overexpression inhibited tumor growth and sCLU expression in a xenograft animal model. Analysis of human lung adenocarcinoma tissues revealed that the cDDP sensitive group expressed higher levels of miR-378 and lower levels of sCLU. miR-378 and sCLU were negatively correlated. To conclude, we identified sCLU as a novel miR-378 target and we showed that targeting sCLU via miR-378 may help disable the chemoresistance against cisplatin in lung adenocarcinoma cells.
Functional characterization of the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein gene family from Pinus tabuliformis (Pinaceae) in Escherichia coli
Authors: Gao Jie , Lan Ting
Published: January 2016

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a large and highly diverse gene family present in a wide range of plant species. LEAs are proposed to play a role in various stress tolerance responses. Our study represents the first-ever survey of LEA proteins and their encoding genes in a widely distributed pine (Pinus tabuliformis) in China. Twenty–three LEA genes were identified from the P. tabuliformis belonging to seven groups. Proteins with repeated motifs are an important feature specific to LEA groups. Ten of 23 pine LEA genes were selectively expressed in specific tissues and showed expression divergence within each group. In addition, we selected 13 genes representing each group and introduced theses genes into Escherichia coli to assess the protective function of PtaLEA under heat and salt stresses. Compared with control cells, the E. coli cells expressing PtaLEA fusion protein exhibited enhanced salt and heat resistance and viability, indicating the protein may play a protective role in cells under stress conditions. Furthermore, among these enhanced tolerance genes, a certain extent of function divergence appeared within a gene group as well as between gene groups, suggesting potential functional diversity of this gene family in conifers.
PB2-588 V promotes the mammalian adaptation of H10N8, H7N9 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses
Authors: Xiao Chencheng , Ma Wenjun , Sun Na , Huang Lihong , Li Yaling , Zeng Zhaoyong , Wen Yijun , Zhang Zaoyue , Li Huanan , Li Qian , Yu Yuandi , Zheng Yi , Liu Shukai , Hu Pingsheng , Zhang Xu , Ning Zhangyong , Qi Wenbao , Liao Ming
Published: January 2016

Human infections with avian influenza H7N9 or H10N8 viruses have been reported in China, raising concerns that they might cause human epidemics and pandemics. However, how these viruses adapt to mammalian hosts is unclear. Here we show that besides the commonly recognized viral polymerase subunit PB2 residue 627 K, other residues including 87E, 292 V, 340 K, 588 V, 648 V and 676 M in PB2 also play critical roles in mammalian adaptation of the H10N8 virus. The avian-origin H10N8, H7N9 and H9N2 viruses harboring PB2-588 V exhibited higher polymerase activity, more efficient replication in mammalian and avian cells and higher virulence in mice when compared to viruses with PB2-588 A. Analyses of available PB2 sequences showed that the proportion of avian H9N2 or human H7N9 influenza isolates bearing PB2-588 V has increased significantly since 2013. Taken together, our results suggest that the substitution PB2-A588V may be a new strategy for an avian influenza virus to adapt mammalian hosts.
Fractality à la carte: a general particle aggregation model
Authors: Nicolás-Carlock J. R. , Carrillo-Estrada J. L. , Dossetti V.
Published: January 2016

In nature, fractal structures emerge in a wide variety of systems as a local optimization of entropic and energetic distributions. The fractality of these systems determines many of their physical, chemical and/or biological properties. Thus, to comprehend the mechanisms that originate and control the fractality is highly relevant in many areas of science and technology. In studying clusters grown by aggregation phenomena, simple models have contributed to unveil some of the basic elements that give origin to fractality, however, the specific contribution from each of these elements to fractality has remained hidden in the complex dynamics. Here, we propose a simple and versatile model of particle aggregation that is, on the one hand, able to reveal the specific entropic and energetic contributions to the clusters’ fractality and morphology, and, on the other, capable to generate an ample assortment of rich natural-looking aggregates with any prescribed fractal dimension.
A target-protection mechanism of antibiotic resistance at atomic resolution: insights into FusB-type fusidic acid resistance
Authors: Tomlinson Jennifer H. , Thompson Gary S. , Kalverda Arnout P. , Zhuravleva Anastasia , O’Neill Alex J.
Published: January 2016

Antibiotic resistance in clinically important bacteria can be mediated by proteins that physically associate with the drug target and act to protect it from the inhibitory effects of an antibiotic. We present here the first detailed structural characterization of such a target protection mechanism mediated through a protein-protein interaction, revealing the architecture of the complex formed between the FusB fusidic acid resistance protein and the drug target (EF-G) it acts to protect. Binding of FusB to EF-G induces conformational and dynamic changes in the latter, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of fusidic acid resistance.
A Nanoplasmonic Strategy for Precision in-situ Measurements of Tip-enhanced Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Meng Lingyan , Sun Mengtao , Chen Jianing , Yang Zhilin
Published: January 2016

We theoretically investigate an optimized tip-film system that supports in-situ measurement of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and tip-enhanced fluorescence (TEF) of dye molecules. A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is proposed to precisely control the tip-film distance and thus in-situ measurement of TERS and TEF can be realized utilizing the specific surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of the tip-film system. Our calculations show that the optimized tip-film distance of 2 nm suggests a possibility of efficient acquisition of TERS and TEF in-situ. The calculated spatial resolution of TERS and spectral resolution of TEF can be down to 6.5 nm and 10 nm, respectively. Our theoretical results may find promising application in developing multiple functional nano-spectroscopy through which Raman and fluorescence can be measured in-situ at the nanoscale level.
The role of motility and chemotaxis in the bacterial colonization of protected surfaces
Authors: Tamar Einat , Koler Moriah , Vaknin Ady
Published: January 2016

Internal epithelial surfaces in humans are both oxygenated and physically protected by a few hundred microns thick hydrogel mucosal layer, conditions that might support bacterial aerotaxis. However, the potential role of aerotaxis in crossing such a thin hydrogel layer is not clear. Here, we used a new setup to study the potential role of motility and chemotaxis in the bacterial colonization of surfaces covered by a thin hydrogel layer and subjected to a vertical oxygen gradient. Using the bacterium Escherichia coli, we show that both non-motile and motile-but-non-chemotactic bacteria could barely reach the surface. However, an acquired mutation in the non-chemotactic bacteria that altered their inherent swimming behavior led to a critical enhancement of surface colonization. Most chemotactic strains accumulated within the bulk of the hydrogel layer, except for the MG1655 strain, which showed a unique tendency to accumulate directly at the oxygenated surface and thus exhibited distinctly enhanced colonization. Even after a long period of bacterial growth, non-motile bacteria could not colonize the hydrogel. Thus, switching motility, which can be spontaneously acquired or altered in vivo, is critical for the colonization of such protected surfaces, whereas aerotaxis capacity clearly expedites surface colonization and can lead to diverse colonization patterns.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor promotes aging phenotypes across species
Authors: Eckers Anna , Jakob Sascha , Heiss Christian , Haarmann-Stemmann Thomas , Goy Christine , Brinkmann Vanessa , Cortese-Krott Miriam M. , Sansone Roberto , Esser Charlotte , Ale-Agha Niloofar , Altschmied Joachim , Ventura Natascia , Haendeler Judith
Published: January 2016

The ubiquitously expressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induces drug metabolizing enzymes as well as regulators of cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Certain AhR ligands promote atherosclerosis, an age-associated vascular disease. Therefore, we investigated the role of AhR in vascular functionality and aging. We report a lower pulse wave velocity in young and old AhR-deficient mice, indicative of enhanced vessel elasticity. Moreover, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) showed increased activity in the aortas of these animals, which was reflected in increased NO production. Ex vivo, AhR activation reduced the migratory capacity of primary human endothelial cells. AhR overexpression as well as treatment with a receptor ligand, impaired eNOS activation and reduced S-NO content. All three are signs of endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, AhR expression in blood cells of healthy human volunteers positively correlated with vessel stiffness. In the aging model Caenorhabditis elegans, AhR-deficiency resulted in increased mean life span, motility, pharynx pumping and heat shock resistance, suggesting healthier aging. Thus, AhR seems to have a negative impact on vascular and organismal aging. Finally, our data from human subjects suggest that AhR expression levels could serve as an additional, new predictor of vessel aging.
Autologous leukocyte-reduced platelet-rich plasma therapy for Achilles tendinopathy induced by collagenase in a rabbit model
Authors: González Juan C. , López Catalina , Álvarez María E. , Pérez Jorge E. , Carmona Jorge U.
Published: January 2016

Leukocyte-reduced platelet-rich plasma (LR-PRP) is a therapy for tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon (TAT); however, there is scarce information regarding LR-PRP effects in rabbit models of TAT. We compared, at 4 and 12 weeks (w), the LR-PRP and placebo (PBS) effects on ultrasonography, histology and relative gene expression of collagen types I (COL1A1) and III (COL3A1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 24 rabbits with TAT induced by collagenase. The rabbits (treated with both treatments) were euthanatised after either 4 or 12 w. A healthy group (HG (n = 6)) was included. At 4 and 12 w, the LR-PRP group had a no statistically different histology score to the HG. At w 4, theCOL1A1expression was significantly higher in the LR-PRP group when compared to HG and the expression ofCOL3A1from both LR-PRP and PBS-treated tendons was significantly higher when compared to the HG. At w 12, the expression ofCOL3A1remained significantly higher in the PBS group in comparison to the LR-PRP group and the HG. At w 4, the LR-PRP group presented a significantly higher expression of VEGF when compared to the PBS group and the HG. In conclusion, LR-PRP treatment showed regenerative properties in rabbits with TAT.
Superlattice-like SnSb4/Ge thin films for ultra-high speed phase change memory applications
Authors: He Zifang , Wu Pengzhi , Liu Ruirui , Zhai Jiwei , Lai Tianshu , Song Sannian , Song Zhitang
Published: January 2016

Superlattice-like (SLL) SnSb4/Ge thin films were studied by thermal, electrical and optical methods.
Formation of tunable graphene oxide coating with high adhesion
Authors: Lin Liangxu , Wu Huaping , Green Stephen J. , Crompton Joanna , Zhang Shaowei , Horsell David W.
Published: January 2016

Graphene oxide (GO) can form a highly adhered robust coating on nickel–aluminum–bronze (NAB) using a conceptual process (the formation and consolidation of a layer of GO), which allows further functionalisation of the coating for various potential applications.
The selective oxidation of n-butanol to butyraldehyde by oxygen using stable Pt-based nanoparticulate catalysts: an efficient route for upgrading aqueous biobutanol
Authors: Gandarias Inaki , Nowicka Ewa , May Blake J. , Alghareed Shaimaa , Armstrong Robert D. , Miedziak Peter J. , Taylor Stuart H.
Published: January 2016

Supported Pt nanoparticles are shown to be active and selective towards butyraldehyde in the base-free oxidation of n-butanol by O2 in an aqueous phase.
A combined quantum-chemical and matrix-isolation study on molecular manganese fluorides
Authors: Brosi Felix , Schlöder Tobias , Schmidt Alexei , Beckers Helmut , Riedel Sebastian
Published: January 2016

Molecular manganese fluorides were studied in solid neon, argon and fluorine using IR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations at DFT and CCSD(T) levels.
Self-supported formation of hierarchical NiCo2O4tetragonal microtubes with enhanced electrochemical properties
Authors: Ma Fei-Xiang , Yu Le , Xu Cheng-Yan , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: January 2016

Hierarchical NiCo2O4tetragonal microtubes prepared by a self-supported chemical transformation process exhibit an excellent electrochemical performance.
X-ray and gamma-ray based spectroscopic analysis of a millefiori Roman glass fragment: degradation of sunken glass from a shipwreck
Authors: Ortega-Feliu I. , Gómez-Tubío B. , Respaldiza M. A. , Capel F. , Nieto-Prieto X.
Published: January 2016

Particle induced X-ray and gamma-ray techniques (PIXE and PIGE) carried out on an external beam line, combined with X-ray dose monitoring and a helium atmosphere, have been performed in this work.