bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An extreme internal solitary wave event observed in the northern South China Sea
Authors: Huang Xiaodong , Chen Zhaohui , Zhao Wei , Zhang Zhiwei , Zhou Chun , Yang Qingxuan , Tian Jiwei
Published: July 2016

With characteristics of large amplitude and strong current, internal solitary wave (ISW) is a major hazard to marine engineering and submarine navigation; it also has significant impacts on marine ecosystems and fishery activity. Among the world oceans, ISWs are particular active in the northern South China Sea (SCS). In this spirit, the SCS Internal Wave Experiment has been conducted since March 2010 using subsurface mooring array. Here, we report an extreme ISW captured on 4 December 2013 with a maximum amplitude of 240 m and a peak westward current velocity of 2.55 m/s. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the strongest ISW of the world oceans on record. Full-depth measurements also revealed notable impacts of the extreme ISW on deep-ocean currents and thermal structures. Concurrent mooring measurements near Batan Island showed that the powerful semidiurnal internal tide generation in the Luzon Strait was likely responsible for the occurrence of the extreme ISW event. Based on the HYCOM data-assimilation product, we speculate that the strong stratification around Batan Island related to the strengthening Kuroshio may have contributed to the formation of the extreme ISW.
Serotonin biosynthesis as a predictive marker of serotonin pharmacodynamics and disease-induced dysregulation
Authors: Welford Richard W. D. , Vercauteren Magali , Trébaul Annette , Cattaneo Christophe , Eckert Doriane , Garzotti Marco , Sieber Patrick , Segrestaa Jérôme , Studer Rolf , Groenen Peter M. A. , Nayler Oliver
Published: July 2016

The biogenic amine serotonin (5-HT) is a multi-faceted hormone that is synthesized from dietary tryptophan with the rate limiting step being catalyzed by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). The therapeutic potential of peripheral 5-HT synthesis inhibitors has been demonstrated in a number of clinical and pre-clinical studies in diseases including carcinoid syndrome, lung fibrosis, ulcerative colitis and obesity. Due to the long half-life of 5-HT in blood and lung, changes in steady-state levels are slow to manifest themselves. Here, the administration of stable isotope labeled tryptophan (heavy “h-Trp”) and resultant in vivo conversion to h-5-HT is used to monitor 5-HT synthesis in rats. Dose responses for the blockade of h-5-HT appearance in blood with the TPH inhibitors L-para-chlorophenylalanine (30 and 100 mg/kg) and telotristat etiprate (6, 20 and 60 mg/kg), demonstrated that the method enables robust quantification of pharmacodynamic effects on a short time-scale, opening the possibility for rapid screening of TPH1 inhibitors in vivo. In the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis rat model, the mechanism of lung 5-HT increase was investigated using a combination of synthesis and steady state 5-HT measurement. Elevated 5-HT synthesis measured in the injured lungs was an early predictor of disease induced increases in total 5-HT.
On-chip sub-terahertz surface plasmon polariton transmission lines with mode converter in CMOS
Authors: Liang Yuan , Yu Hao , Wen Jincai , Apriyana Anak Agung Alit , Li Nan , Luo Yu , Sun Lingling
Published: July 2016

An on-chip low-loss and high conversion efficiency plasmonic waveguide converter is demonstrated at sub-THz in CMOS. By introducing a subwavelength periodic corrugated structure onto the transmission line (T-line) implemented by a top-layer metal, surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) are established to propagate signals with strongly localized surface-wave. To match both impedance and momentum of other on-chip components with TEM-wave propagation, a mode converter structure featured by a smooth bridge between the Ground coplanar waveguide (GCPW) with 50 Ω impedance and SPP T-line is proposed. To further reduce area, the converter is ultimately simplified to a gradual increment of groove with smooth gradient. The proposed SPP T-lines with the converter is designed and fabricated in the standard 65 nm CMOS process. Both near-field simulation and measurement results show excellent conversion efficiency from quasi-TEM to SPP modes in a broadband frequency range. The converter achieves wideband impedance matching (<−9 dB) with excellent transmission efficiency (averagely −1.9 dB) from 110 GHz–325 GHz. The demonstrated compact and wideband SPP T-lines with mode converter have shown great potentials to replace existing waveguides as future on-chip THz interconnects. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first time to demonstrate the (sub)-THz surface mode conversion on-chip in CMOS technology.
Correction: Corrigendum: Abnormal topological organization of the white matter network in Mandarin speakers with congenital amusia
Authors: Zhao Yanxin , Chen Xizhuo , Zhong Suyu , Cui Zaixu , Gong Gaolang , Dong Qi , Nan Yun
Published: July 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 26505; published online: 23 May 2016; updated: 22 July 2016 This Article contains a typographical error in Table 1. In the ‘Controls (n = 24)’ column, the Male/Female value “10/13” should read “10/14”.
Reducing human nitrogen use for food production
Authors: Liu Junguo , Ma Kun , Ciais Philippe , Polasky Stephen
Published: July 2016

Reactive nitrogen (N) is created in order to sustain food production, but only a small fraction of this N ends up being consumed as food, the rest being lost to the environment. We calculated that the total N input (TN) of global food production was 171 Tg N yr−1 in 2000. The production of animal products accounted for over 50% of the TN, against 17% for global calories production. Under current TN per unit of food production and assuming no change in agricultural practices and waste-to-food ratios, we estimate that an additional TN of 100 Tg N yr−1 will be needed by 2030 for a baseline scenario that would meet hunger alleviation targets for over 9 billion people. Increased animal production will have the largest impact on increasing TN, which calls for new food production systems with better N-recycling, such as cooperation between crop and livestock producing farms. Increased N-use efficiency, healthier diet and decreased food waste could mitigate this increase and even reduce TN in 2030 by 8% relative to the 2000 level. Achieving a worldwide reduction of TN is a major challenge that requires sustained actions to improve nitrogen management practices and reduce nitrogen losses into the environment.
FeOx-TiO2 Film with Different Microstructures Leading to Femtosecond Transients with Different Properties: Biological Implications under Visible Light
Authors: Rtimi Sami , Pulgarin Cesar , Nadtochenko Victor A. , Gostev Fedor E. , Shelaev Ivan V. , Kiwi John
Published: July 2016

This study presents the first report addressing the effect of FeOx-TiO2 films microstructure on the transients detected by fast spectroscopy related to the long-range bacterial inactivation performance. The different fast kinetic femtosecond transient spectroscopy is reported for each FeOx+TiO2 microstructure. The lifetime of the short transient-species and the oxidative intermediate radicals generated under light were identified. Co-sputtered FeOx-TiO2 on polyethylene films presenting random distribution for both oxides were compared with sequentially sputtered FeOx/TiO2 films made up only by FeOx in the topmost layers. The ratio FeOx:TiO2 was optimized to attain the highest photo-conversion. By X-ray fluorescence, the Fe:Ti ration was found to be ~1.4 in the film bulk and by XPS-etching a ratio of 4:1 was found on the photocatalyst top-most layers. For co-sputtered FeOx-TiO2-PE films, the FeOx-TiO2 heterojunction led to electron injection from the FeOx to lower-lying TiO2 trapping states. The film optical properties, particle size, roughness, hydrophobic-hydrophilic shift and temporal evolution of the transient redox states were characterized in detail. Films with different microstructure led to different antibacterial activity. This suggests that the FeOx-TiO2-PE microstructure and not the position of the potential energy level of the semiconductors FeOx and TiO2 control the charge transfer under light irradiation.
Endogenous Small-Noncoding RNAs and Potential Functions in Desiccation Tolerance in Physcomitrella Patens
Authors: Xia Jing , Wang Xiaoqin , Perroud Pierre-François , He Yikun , Quatrano Ralph , Zhang Weixiong
Published: July 2016

Early land plants like moss Physcomitrella patens have developed remarkable drought tolerance. Phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) protects seeds during water stress by activating genes through transcription factors such as ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE (ABI3). Small noncoding RNA (sncRNA), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous small-interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), are key gene regulators in eukaryotes, playing critical roles in stress tolerance in plants. Combining next-generation sequencing and computational analysis, we profiled and characterized sncRNA species from two ABI3 deletion mutants and the wild type P. patens that were subject to ABA treatment in dehydration and rehydration stages. Small RNA profiling using deep sequencing helped identify 22 novel miRNAs and 6 genomic loci producing trans-acting siRNAs (ta-siRNAs) including TAS3a to TAS3e and TAS6. Data from degradome profiling showed that ABI3 genes (ABI3a/b/c) are potentially regulated by the plant-specific miR536 and that other ABA-relevant genes are regulated by miRNAs and ta-siRNAs. We also observed broad variations of miRNAs and ta-siRNAs expression across different stages, suggesting that they could potentially influence desiccation tolerance. This study provided evidence on the potential roles of sncRNA in mediating desiccation-responsive pathways in early land plants.
Evaluation of liver function and electroacupuncture efficacy of animals with alcoholic liver injury by the novel imaging methods
Authors: Zhang Dong , Song Xiao-jing , Li Shun-yue , Wang Shu-you , Chen Bing-jun , Bai Xiao-Dong , Tang Li-mei
Published: July 2016

Imaging methods to evaluate hepatic microcirculation (HM) and liver function (LF) by directly monitoring overall liver tissue remain lacking. This study establish imaging methods for LF that combines Laser speckle perfusion imaging (LSPI) and in vivo optical imaging (IVOI) technologies to investigate changes of hepatic microcirculation and reserve function in the animals gavaged with 50% ethanol (15 ml/kg·bw) for a model of acute alcoholic liver injury (ALI) and for evaluation of electroacupuncture (EA) effect. The liver blood perfusion and indocyanine green (ICG) distribution were observe by LSPI and IVOI separately. After EA, the livers were collected to measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), thromboxane A (TXA2), prostacyclin (PGI2) and endothelin (ET). The acquisitions of newly established LSPI of liver and ICG in vivo fluorescence imaging (ICG-IVFI), combining the results of other indexes showed: hepatic microcirculation perfusion (HMP) significantly reduced, ICG metabolism reduced and ALT/AST increased in animal model with acute ALI. EA can reverse these changes. The use of LSPI of liver and ICG-IVFI, which was novel imaging methods for LF established in this study, could display the LF characteristics of ALI and the EA efficacy.
Frontoparietal cortex and cerebellum contribution to the update of actual and mental motor performance during the day
Authors: Bonzano Laura , Roccatagliata Luca , Ruggeri Piero , Papaxanthis Charalambos , Bove Marco
Published: July 2016

Actual and imagined movement speed increases from early morning until mid-afternoon. Here, we investigated the neural correlates of these daily changes. Fifteen subjects performed actual and imagined right finger opposition movement sequences at 8 am and 2 pm. Both actual and imagined movements were significantly faster at 2 pm than 8 am. In the morning, actual movements significantly activated the left primary somatosensory and motor areas, and bilaterally the cerebellum; in the afternoon activations were similar but reduced. Contrast analysis revealed greater activity in the cerebellum, the left primary sensorimotor cortex and parietal lobe in the morning than in the afternoon. Imagined movements in the morning significantly activated the parietal association cortices bilaterally, the left supplementary and premotor areas, and the right orbitofrontal cortex and cerebellum. In the afternoon, the frontal lobe was significantly activated with the right cerebellum. Contrast analysis revealed increased activity in the left parietal lobe in the morning than in the afternoon. For both tasks, speed in the morning was significantly related to the BOLD signal in the brain areas resulted more active. These findings suggest that motor performance is continuously updated on a daily basis with a predominant role of the frontoparietal cortex and cerebellum.
Discovery of Nigri/nox and Panto/pox site-specific recombinase systems facilitates advanced genome engineering
Authors: Karimova Madina , Splith Victoria , Karpinski Janet , Pisabarro M. Teresa , Buchholz Frank
Published: July 2016

Precise genome engineering is instrumental for biomedical research and holds great promise for future therapeutic applications. Site-specific recombinases (SSRs) are valuable tools for genome engineering due to their exceptional ability to mediate precise excision, integration and inversion of genomic DNA in living systems. The ever-increasing complexity of genome manipulations and the desire to understand the DNA-binding specificity of these enzymes are driving efforts to identify novel SSR systems with unique properties. Here, we describe two novel tyrosine site-specific recombination systems designated Nigri/nox and Panto/pox. Nigri originates from Vibrio nigripulchritudo (plasmid VIBNI_pA) and recombines its target site nox with high efficiency and high target-site selectivity, without recombining target sites of the well established SSRs Cre, Dre, Vika and VCre. Panto, derived from Pantoea sp. aB, is less specific and in addition to its native target site, pox also recombines the target site for Dre recombinase, called rox. This relaxed specificity allowed the identification of residues that are involved in target site selectivity, thereby advancing our understanding of how SSRs recognize their respective DNA targets.
Application of a cell microarray chip system for accurate, highly sensitive and rapid diagnosis for malaria in Uganda
Authors: Yatsushiro Shouki , Yamamoto Takeki , Yamamura Shohei , Abe Kaori , Obana Eriko , Nogami Takahiro , Hayashi Takuya , Sesei Takashi , Oka Hiroaki , Okello-Onen Joseph , Odongo-Aginya Emmanuel I. , Alai Mary Auma , Olia Alex , Anywar Dennis , Sakurai Miki , Palacpac Nirianne MQ , Mita Toshihiro , Horii Toshihiro , Baba Yoshinobu , Kataoka Masatoshi
Published: July 2016

Accurate, sensitive, rapid and easy operative diagnosis is necessary to prevent the spread of malaria. A cell microarray chip system including a push column for the recovery of erythrocytes and a fluorescence detector was employed for malaria diagnosis in Uganda. The chip with 20,944 microchambers (105 μm width and 50 μm depth) was made of polystyrene. For the analysis, 6 μl of whole blood was employed and leukocytes were practically removed by filtration through SiO2-nano-fibers in a column. Regular formation of an erythrocyte monolayer in each microchamber was observed following dispersion of an erythrocyte suspension in a nuclear staining dye, SYTO 21, onto the chip surface and washing. About 500,000 erythrocytes were analyzed in a total of 4675 microchambers and malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes could be detected in 5 min by using the fluorescence detector. The percentage of infected erythrocytes in each of 41 patients was determined. Accurate and quantitative detection of the parasites could be performed. A good correlation between examinations via optical microscopy and by our chip system was demonstrated over the parasitemia range of 0.0039–2.3438% by linear regression analysis (R2 = 0.9945). Thus, we showed the potential of this chip system for the diagnosis of malaria.
Osmolyte cooperation affects turgor dynamics in plants
Authors: Argiolas Alfredo , Puleo Gian Luigi , Sinibaldi Edoardo , Mazzolai Barbara
Published: July 2016

Scientists have identified turgor-based actuation as a fundamental mechanism in plant movements. Plant cell turgor is generated by water influx due to the osmolyte concentration gradient through the cell wall and the plasma membrane behaving as an osmotic barrier. Previous studies have focused on turgor modulation with respect to potassium chloride (KCl) concentration changes, although KCl is not efficiently retained in the cell, and many other compounds, including L-glutamine (L-Gln) and D-glucose (D-Glc), are present in the cytosol. In fact, the contributions of other osmolytes to turgor dynamics remain to be elucidated. Here, we show the association of osmolytes and their consequent cooperative effects on the time-dependent turgor profile generated in a model cytosol consisting of KCl, D-Glc and L-Gln at experimentally measured plant motor/generic cell concentrations and at modified concentrations. We demonstrate the influence and association of the osmolytes using osmometry and NMR measurements. We also show, using a plant cell-inspired device we previously developed, that osmolyte complexes, rather than single osmolytes, permit to obtain higher turgor required by plant movements. We provide quantitative cues for deeper investigations of osmolyte transport for plant movement, and reveal the possibility of developing osmotic actuators exploiting a dynamically varying concentration of osmolytes.
Maternal inflammation activated ROS-p38 MAPK predisposes offspring to heart damages caused by isoproterenol via augmenting ROS generation
Authors: Zhang Qi , Deng Yafei , Lai Wenjing , Guan Xiao , Sun Xiongshan , Han Qi , Wang Fangjie , Pan Xiaodong , Ji Yan , Luo Hongqin , Huang Pei , Tang Yuan , Gu Liangqi , Dan Guorong , Yu Jianhua , Namaka Michael , Zhang Jianxiang , Deng Youcai , Li Xiaohui
Published: July 2016

Maternal inflammation contributes to the increased incidence of adult cardiovascular disease. The current study investigated the susceptibility of cardiac damage responding to isoproterenol (ISO) in adult offspring that underwent maternal inflammation (modeled by pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) challenge). We found that 2 weeks of ISO treatment in adult offspring of LPS-treated mothers led to augmented heart damage, characterized by left-ventricular systolic dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Mechanistically, prenatal exposure to LPS led to up-regulated expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases, antioxidant enzymes, and p38 MAPK activity in left ventricular of adult offspring at resting state. ISO treatment exaggerated ROS generation, p38 MAPK activation but down-regulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) elimination capacity in the left ventricular of offspring from LPS-treated mothers, while antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) reversed these changes together with improved cardiac functions. The p38 inhibitor SB202190 alleviated the heart damage only via inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidases. Collectively, our data demonstrated that prenatal inflammation programs pre-existed ROS activation in the heart tissue, which switches on the early process of oxidative damages on heart rapidly through a ROS-p38 MAPK-NADPH oxidase-ROS positive feedback loop in response to a myocardial hypertrophic challenge in adulthood.
A Bayesian algorithm for detecting differentially expressed proteins and its application in breast cancer research
Authors: Santra Tapesh , Delatola Eleni Ioanna
Published: July 2016

Presence of considerable noise and missing data points make analysis of mass-spectrometry (MS) based proteomic data a challenging task. The missing values in MS data are caused by the inability of MS machines to reliably detect proteins whose abundances fall below the detection limit. We developed a Bayesian algorithm that exploits this knowledge and uses missing data points as a complementary source of information to the observed protein intensities in order to find differentially expressed proteins by analysing MS based proteomic data. We compared its accuracy with many other methods using several simulated datasets. It consistently outperformed other methods. We then used it to analyse proteomic screens of a breast cancer (BC) patient cohort. It revealed large differences between the proteomic landscapes of triple negative and Luminal A, which are the most and least aggressive types of BC. Unexpectedly, majority of these differences could be attributed to the direct transcriptional activity of only seven transcription factors some of which are known to be inactive in triple negative BC. We also identified two new proteins which significantly correlated with the survival of BC patients and therefore may have potential diagnostic/prognostic values.
SCUBA divers as oceanographic samplers: The potential of dive computers to augment aquatic temperature monitoring
Authors: Wright Serena , Hull Tom , Sivyer David B. , Pearce David , Pinnegar John K. , Sayer Martin D. J. , Mogg Andrew O. M. , Azzopardi Elaine , Gontarek Steve , Hyder Kieran
Published: July 2016

Monitoring temperature of aquatic waters is of great importance, with modelled, satellite and in-situ data providing invaluable insights into long-term environmental change. However, there is often a lack of depth-resolved temperature measurements. Recreational dive computers routinely record temperature and depth, so could provide an alternate and highly novel source of oceanographic information to fill this data gap. In this study, a citizen science approach was used to obtain over 7,000 scuba diver temperature profiles. The accuracy, offset and lag of temperature records was assessed by comparing dive computers with scientific conductivity-temperature-depth instruments and existing surface temperature data. Our results show that, with processing, dive computers can provide a useful and novel tool with which to augment existing monitoring systems all over the globe, but especially in under-sampled or highly changeable coastal environments.
Twenty-Eight Orders of Parametric Resonance in a Microelectromechanical Device for Multi-band Vibration Energy Harvesting
Authors: Jia Yu , Du Sijun , Seshia Ashwin A.
Published: July 2016

This paper contends to be the first to report the experimental observation of up to 28 orders of parametric resonance, which has thus far only been envisioned in the theoretical realm. While theory has long predicted the onset of n orders of parametric resonance, previously reported experimental observations have been limited up to about the first 5 orders. This is due to the rapid narrowing nature of the frequency bandwidth of the higher instability intervals, making practical accessibility increasingly more difficult. Here, the authors have experimentally confirmed up to 28 orders of parametric resonance in a micromachined membrane resonator when electrically undamped. While the implication of this finding spans across the vibration dynamics and transducer application spectrum, the particular significance of this work is to broaden the accumulative operational frequency bandwidth of vibration energy harvesting for enabling self-powered microsystems. Up to 5 orders were recorded when driven at 1.0 g of acceleration across a matched load of 70 kΩ. With a natural frequency of 980 Hz, the fundamental mode direct resonance had a −3 dB bandwidth of 55 Hz, in contrast to the 314 Hz for the first order parametric resonance; furthermore, the half power bands of all 5 orders accumulated to 478 Hz.
A critical role for the self-assembly of Amyloid-β1-42 in neurodegeneration
Authors: Marshall Karen E. , Vadukul Devkee M. , Dahal Liza , Theisen Alina , Fowler Milena W. , Al-Hilaly Youssra , Ford Lenzie , Kemenes György , Day Iain J. , Staras Kevin , Serpell Louise C.
Published: July 2016

Amyloid β1-42 (Aβ1-42) plays a central role in Alzheimer’s disease. The link between structure, assembly and neuronal toxicity of this peptide is of major current interest but still poorly defined. Here, we explored this relationship by rationally designing a variant form of Aβ1-42 (vAβ1-42) differing in only two amino acids. Unlike Aβ1-42, we found that the variant does not self-assemble, nor is it toxic to neuronal cells. Moreover, while Aβ1-42 oligomers impact on synaptic function, vAβ1-42 does not. In a living animal model system we demonstrate that only Aβ1-42 leads to memory deficits. Our findings underline a key role for peptide sequence in the ability to assemble and form toxic structures. Furthermore, our non-toxic variant satisfies an unmet demand for a closely related control peptide for Aβ1-42 cellular studies of disease pathology, offering a new opportunity to decipher the mechanisms that accompany Aβ1-42-induced toxicity leading to neurodegeneration.
Mesenchymal progenitors in osteopenias of diverse pathologies: differential characteristics in the common shift from osteoblastogenesis to adipogenesis
Authors: Sui Bingdong , Hu Chenghu , Liao Li , Chen Yichen , Zhang Xinyi , Fu Xin , Zheng Chenxi , Li Meng , Wu Ling , Zhao Xinyi , Jin Yan
Published: July 2016

Osteoporosis is caused by pathologic factors such as aging, hormone deficiency or excess, inflammation and systemic diseases like diabetes. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), the mesenchymal progenitors for both osteoblasts and adipocytes, are modulated by niche signals. In differential pathologic states, the pathological characteristics of BMSCs to osteoporoses and functional differences are unknown. Here, we detected that trabecular bone loss co-existed with increased marrow adiposity in 6 osteoporotic models, respectively induced by natural aging, accelerated senescence (SAMP6), ovariectomy (OVX), type 1 diabetes (T1D), excessive glucocorticoids (GIOP) and orchidectomy (ORX). Of the ex vivo characteristics of BMSCs, the colony-forming efficiency and the proliferation rate in aging, SAMP6, OVX, GIOP and ORX models decreased. The apoptosis and cellular senescence increased except in T1D, with up-regulation of p53 and p16 expression. The osteogenesis declined except in GIOP, with corresponding down-regulation of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) expression. The adipogenesis increased in 6 osteoporotic models, with corresponding up-regulation of Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression. These findings revealed differential characteristics of BMSCs in a common shift from osteoblastogenesis to adipogenesis among different osteoporoses and between sexes and provide theoretical basis for the functional modulation of resident BMSCs in the regenerative therapy for osteoporosis.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Assisted by Radical Capturer for Tracking of Plasmon-Driven Redox Reaction
Authors: Yan Xuefeng , Wang Lingzhi , Tan Xianjun , Tian Baozhu , Zhang Jinlong
Published: July 2016

The deep understanding about the photocatalytic reaction induced by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect is desirable but remains a considerable challenge due to the ultrafast relaxation of hole-electron exciton from SPR process and a lack of an efficient monitoring system. Here, using the p-aminothiophenol (PATP) oxidation SPR-catalyzed by Ag nanoparticle as a model reaction, a radical-capturer-assisted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been used as an in-situ tracking technique to explore the primary active species determining the reaction path. Hole is revealed to be directly responsible for the oxidation of PATP to p, p′-dimercaptoazobenzene (4, 4′-DMAB) and O2 functions as an electron capturer to form isolated hole. The oxidation degree of PATP can be further enhanced through a joint utilization of electron capturers of AgNO3 and atmospheric O2, producing p-nitrothiophenol (PNTP) within 10 s due to the improved hole-electron separation efficiency.
Role of Zn doping in oxidative stress mediated cytotoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells
Authors: Ahamed Maqusood , Khan M. A. Majeed , Akhtar Mohd Javed , Alhadlaq Hisham A. , Alshamsan Aws
Published: July 2016

We investigated the effect of Zn-doping on structural and optical properties as well as cellular response of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. A library of Zn-doped (1–10 at wt%) TiO2 NPs was prepared. Characterization data indicated that dopant Zn was incorporated into the lattice of host TiO2. The average particle size of TiO2 NPs was decreases (38 to 28 nm) while the band gap energy was increases (3.35 eV–3.85 eV) with increasing the amount of Zn-doping. Cellular data demonstrated that Zn-doped TiO2 NPs induced cytotoxicity (cell viability reduction, membrane damage and cell cycle arrest) and oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species generation & glutathione depletion) in MCF-7 cells and toxic intensity was increases with increasing the concentration of Zn-doping. Molecular data revealed that Zn-doped TiO2 NPs induced the down-regulation of super oxide dismutase gene while the up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 gene in MCF-7 cells. Cytotoxicity induced by Zn-doped TiO2 NPs was efficiently prevented by N-acetyl-cysteine suggesting that oxidative stress might be the primarily cause of toxicity. In conclusion, our data indicated that Zn-doping decreases the particle size and increases the band gap energy as well the oxidative stress-mediated toxicity of TiO2 NPs in MCF-7 cells.
Advantage of straight walk instability in turning maneuver of multilegged locomotion: a robotics approach
Authors: Aoi Shinya , Tanaka Takahiro , Fujiki Soichiro , Funato Tetsuro , Senda Kei , Tsuchiya Kazuo
Published: July 2016

Multilegged locomotion improves the mobility of terrestrial animals and artifacts. Using many legs has advantages, such as the ability to avoid falling and to tolerate leg malfunction. However, many intrinsic degrees of freedom make the motion planning and control difficult, and many contact legs can impede the maneuverability during locomotion. The underlying mechanism for generating agile locomotion using many legs remains unclear from biological and engineering viewpoints. The present study used a centipede-like multilegged robot composed of six body segments and twelve legs. The body segments are passively connected through yaw joints with torsional springs. The dynamic stability of the robot walking in a straight line changes through a supercritical Hopf bifurcation due to the body axis flexibility. We focused on a quick turning task of the robot and quantitatively investigated the relationship between stability and maneuverability in multilegged locomotion by using a simple control strategy. Our experimental results show that the straight walk instability does help the turning maneuver. We discuss the importance and relevance of our findings for biological systems and propose a design principle for a simple control scheme to create maneuverable locomotion of multilegged robots.
Genome-wide analyses of the bZIP family reveal their involvement in the development, ripening and abiotic stress response in banana
Authors: Hu Wei , Wang Lianzhe , Tie Weiwei , Yan Yan , Ding Zehong , Liu Juhua , Li Meiying , Peng Ming , Xu Biyu , Jin Zhiqiang
Published: July 2016

The leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play important roles in multiple biological processes. However, less information is available regarding the bZIP family in the important fruit crop banana. In this study, 121 bZIP transcription factor genes were identified in the banana genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MabZIPs were classified into 11 subfamilies. The majority of MabZIP genes in the same subfamily shared similar gene structures and conserved motifs. The comprehensive transcriptome analysis of two banana genotypes revealed the differential expression patterns of MabZIP genes in different organs, in various stages of fruit development and ripening and in responses to abiotic stresses, including drought, cold and salt. Interaction networks and co-expression assays showed that group A MabZIP-mediated networks participated in various stress signaling, which was strongly activated in Musa ABB Pisang Awak. This study provided new insights into the complicated transcriptional control of MabZIP genes and provided robust tissue-specific, development-dependent and abiotic stress-responsive candidate MabZIP genes for potential applications in the genetic improvement of banana cultivars.
Lutein acts via multiple antioxidant pathways in the photo-stressed retina
Authors: Kamoshita Mamoru , Toda Eriko , Osada Hideto , Narimatsu Toshio , Kobayashi Saori , Tsubota Kazuo , Ozawa Yoko
Published: July 2016

Lutein slows the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in ageing societies. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we evaluated lutein’s effects on light-induced AMD-related pathological events. Balb/c mice exposed to light (2000 lux, 3 h) showed tight junction disruption in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) at 12 h, as detected by zona occludens-1 immunostaining. Substantial disruption remained 48 h after light exposure in the vehicle-treated group; however, this was ameliorated in the mice treated with intraperitoneal lutein at 12 h, suggesting that lutein promoted tight junction repair. In the photo-stressed RPE and the neighbouring choroid tissue, lutein suppressed reactive oxygen species and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at 24 h and produced sustained increases in sod1 and sod2 mRNA levels at 48 h. SOD activity was induced by lutein in an RPE cell line, ARPE19. We also found that lutein suppressed upregulation of macrophage-related markers, f4/80 and mcp-1, in the RPE-choroid tissue at 18 h. In ARPE19, lutein reduced mcp-1 mRNA levels. These findings indicated that lutein promoted tight junction repair and suppressed inflammation in photo-stressed mice, reducing local oxidative stress by direct scavenging and most likely by induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.
Individual language experience modulates rapid formation of cortical memory circuits for novel words
Authors: Kimppa Lilli , Kujala Teija , Shtyrov Yury
Published: July 2016

Mastering multiple languages is an increasingly important ability in the modern world; furthermore, multilingualism may affect human learning abilities. Here, we test how the brain’s capacity to rapidly form new representations for spoken words is affected by prior individual experience in non-native language acquisition. Formation of new word memory traces is reflected in a neurophysiological response increase during a short exposure to novel lexicon. Therefore, we recorded changes in electrophysiological responses to phonologically native and non-native novel word-forms during a perceptual learning session, in which novel stimuli were repetitively presented to healthy adults in either ignore or attend conditions. We found that larger number of previously acquired languages and earlier average age of acquisition (AoA) predicted greater response increase to novel non-native word-forms. This suggests that early and extensive language experience is associated with greater neural flexibility for acquiring novel words with unfamiliar phonology. Conversely, later AoA was associated with a stronger response increase for phonologically native novel word-forms, indicating better tuning of neural linguistic circuits to native phonology. The results suggest that individual language experience has a strong effect on the neural mechanisms of word learning and that it interacts with the phonological familiarity of the novel lexicon.
Functional and Proteomic Investigations Reveal Major Royal Jelly Protein 1 Associated with Anti-hypertension Activity in Mouse Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Fan Pei , Han Bin , Feng Mao , Fang Yu , Zhang Lan , Hu Han , Hao Yue , Qi Yuping , Zhang Xiaozhen , Li Jianke
Published: July 2016

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are a major cell type of the arterial wall and their functionality is associated with blood pressure regulation. Although royal jelly (RJ) has reported effects on anti-hypertension, the mechanism of blood pressure regulation by major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJP1), the most abundant RJ protein, is still unknown. The mrjp1 gene was inserted into mouse VSMCs to investigate how MRJP1 influences VSMC functionality by functional and proteomic analysis. The expression of MRJP1 in VSMCs significantly reduced cell contraction, migration and proliferation, suggesting a potential role in decreasing hypertension via action on VSMCs. These anti-hypertension activities were further observed in the changes of the proteome setting of mouse VSMCs. Among 675 different proteins after MRJP1 expression, 646 were down-regulated and significantly enriched in pathways implicated in VSMC contraction and migration, which suggest MRJP1 lowers VSMC contraction and migration by inhibiting muscle filament movement. The down-regulated proteins also enriched pathways in proliferation, indicating that MRJP1 hinders VSMC proliferation by reducing the supply of energy and genetic material. This is the first report integrating MRJP1 into VSMC, revealing the function and mechanism correlated with anti-hypertensive activity. This offers a therapeutic potential to control hypertension by gene-therapy using bee-products.
Demonstration of a robust magnonic spin wave interferometer
Authors: Kanazawa Naoki , Goto Taichi , Sekiguchi Koji , Granovsky Alexander B. , Ross Caroline A. , Takagi Hiroyuki , Nakamura Yuichi , Inoue Mitsuteru
Published: July 2016

Magnonics is an emerging field dealing with ultralow power consumption logic circuits, in which the flow of spin waves, rather than electric charges, transmits and processes information. Waves, including spin waves, excel at encoding information via their phase using interference. This enables a number of inputs to be processed in one device, which offers the promise of multi-input multi-output logic gates. To realize such an integrated device, it is essential to demonstrate spin wave interferometers using spatially isotropic spin waves with high operational stability. However, spin wave reflection at the waveguide edge has previously limited the stability of interfering waves, precluding the use of isotropic spin waves, i.e., forward volume waves. Here, a spin wave absorber is demonstrated comprising a yttrium iron garnet waveguide partially covered by gold. This device is shown experimentally to be a robust spin wave interferometer using the forward volume mode, with a large ON/OFF isolation value of 13.7 dB even in magnetic fields over 30 Oe.
Knocking down of heat-shock protein 27 directs differentiation of functional glutamatergic neurons from placenta-derived multipotent cells
Authors: Cheng Yu-Che , Huang Chi-Jung , Lee Yih-Jing , Tien Lu-Tai , Ku Wei-Chi , Chien Raymond , Lee Fa-Kung , Chien Chih-Cheng
Published: July 2016

This study presents human placenta-derived multipotent cells (PDMCs) as a source from which functional glutamatergic neurons can be derived. We found that the small heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27) was downregulated during the neuronal differentiation process. The in vivo temporal and spatial profiles of HSP27 expression were determined and showed inverted distributions with neuronal proteins during mouse embryonic development. Overexpression of HSP27 in stem cells led to the arrest of neuronal differentiation; however, the knockdown of HSP27 yielded a substantially enhanced ability of PDMCs to differentiate into neurons. These neurons formed synaptic networks and showed positive staining for multiple neuronal markers. Additionally, cellular phenomena including the absence of apoptosis and rare proliferation in HSP27-silenced PDMCs, combined with molecular events such as cleaved caspase-3 and the loss of stemness with cleaved Nanog, indicated that HSP27 is located upstream of neuronal differentiation and constrains that process. Furthermore, the induced neurons showed increasing intracellular calcium concentrations upon glutamate treatment. These differentiated cells co-expressed the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, vesicular glutamate transporter, and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 but did not show expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, choline acetyltransferase or glutamate decarboxylase 67. Therefore, we concluded that HSP27-silenced PDMCs differentiated into neurons possessing the characteristics of functional glutamatergic neurons.
Simulated microgravity inhibits osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells via depolymerizing F-actin to impede TAZ nuclear translocation
Authors: Chen Zhe , Luo Qing , Lin Chuanchuan , Kuang Dongdong , Song Guanbin
Published: July 2016

Microgravity induces observed bone loss in space flight and reduced osteogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) partly contributes to this phenomenon. Abnormal regulation or functioning of the actin cytoskeleton induced by microgravity may cause the inhibited osteogenesis of BMSCs, but the underlying mechanism remains obscure. In this study, we demonstrated that actin cytoskeletal changes regulate nuclear aggregation of the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), which is indispensable for osteogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Moreover, we utilized a clinostat to model simulated microgravity (SMG) and demonstrated that SMG obviously depolymerized F-actin and hindered TAZ nuclear translocation. Interestingly, stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton induced by Jasplakinolide (Jasp) significantly rescued TAZ nuclear translocation and recovered the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in SMG, independently of large tumor suppressor 1(LATS1, an upstream kinase of TAZ). Furthermore, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) also significantly recovered the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in SMG through the F-actin-TAZ pathway. Taken together, we propose that the depolymerized actin cytoskeleton inhibits osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through impeding nuclear aggregation of TAZ, which provides a novel connection between F-actin cytoskeleton and osteogenesis of BMSCs and has important implications in bone loss caused by microgravity.
Familial bias and auditory feedback regulation of vocal babbling patterns during early song development
Authors: Sato Daisuke , Mori Chihiro , Sawai Azusa , Wada Kazuhiro
Published: July 2016

Learned vocalizations are a crucial acoustic biosignal conveying individual traits in many species. Songbirds learn song patterns by listening to a tutor song and performing vocal practice during a sensitive developmental period. However, when and how individual differences in song patterns develop remain unknown. Here, we report that individual differences in vocal output exist even at the earliest song development stage, called subsong. Experiments involving the manipulation of both breeding pairs and song tutoring conditions revealed that the parental pair combination contributes to generating familial differences in syllable duration and variability in the subsong of offspring. Furthermore, after deafening, juveniles immediately changed their subsong by shortening the syllable durations but maintained the individual variability of their subsong temporal patterns, suggesting both auditory-sensitive modification and independent intrinsic regulation of vocal output. These results indicate that the temporal patterns of subsong are not merely disordered vocalization but are regulated by familial bias with sensitivity to auditory feedback, thus generating individual variability at the initiation of vocal development.
The influence of porosity and structural parameters on different kinds of gas hydrate dissociation
Authors: Misyura S. Y.
Published: July 2016

Methane hydrate dissociation at negative temperatures was studied experimentally for different artificial and natural samples, differing by macro- and micro-structural parameters. Four characteristic dissociation types are discussed in the paper. The internal kinetics of artificial granule gas hydrates and clathrate hydrates in coal is dependent on the porosity, defectiveness and gas filtration rate. The density of pores distribution in the crust of formed ice decreases by the several orders of magnitude and this change significantly the rate of decay. Existing models for describing dissociation at negative temperatures do not take into account the structural parameters of samples. The dissociation is regulated by internal physical processes that must be considered in the simulation. Non-isothermal dissociation with constant external heat flux was simulated numerically. The dissociation is simulated with consideration of heat and mass transfer, kinetics of phase transformation and gas filtering through a porous medium of granules for the negative temperatures. It is shown that the gas hydrate dissociation in the presence of mainly microporous structures is fundamentally different from the disintegration of gas hydrates containing meso and macropores.
A graphene oxide-based fluorescent aptasensor for alpha-fetoprotein detection
Authors: Zhang Ya , Bai Yunfeng , Feng Feng , Shuang Shaomin
Published: July 2016

A sensitive and selective strategy for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) detection was developed based on an aptamer/GO fluorescent biosensor.
An ion-gating multinanochannel system based on a copper-responsive self-cleaving DNAzyme
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhou Di , Meng Zheyi , Zhai Jin
Published: July 2016

An ion-gating nanochannel system was built by immobilizing a Cu2+-responsive self-cleaving DNAzyme, which could control the ion transport by regulating the surface charge density of the channels.
Simultaneous improvement of emission color, singlet–triplet energy gap, and quantum efficiency of blue thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters using a 1-carbazolylcarbazole based donor
Authors: Kim Mounggon , Choi Jeong Min , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: July 2016

Linker free molecular design based on 1-carbazolylcarbazole was effective in improving delayed fluorescence characteristics and device performances.
Peptides@mica: from affinity to adhesion mechanism
Authors: Gladytz A. , John T. , Gladytz T. , Hassert R. , Pagel M. , Risselada H. J. , Naumov S. , Beck-Sickinger A. G. , Abel B.
Published: July 2016

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of an interacting and adsorbing RTHRK peptide on a mica surface. (A) start; (B) 1 ns; (C) energy during interaction/adsorption process of the RTHRK peptide on mica; (D) 2 ns; (E) 20 ns; (F) 41 ns.
Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of nitrogen-doped olympicene/graphene hybrids for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Hou Xiuli , Zhang Peng , Li Shuang , Liu Wei
Published: July 2016

N-Doped olympicene/graphene hybrids are highly active for ORR and have good CO tolerance.
The peculiar behavior of the molecular dynamics of a glass-forming liquid confined in native porous materials – the role of negative pressure
Authors: Tarnacka Magdalena , Kipnusu Wycliffe K. , Kaminska Ewa , Pawlus Sebastian , Kaminski Kamil , Paluch Marian
Published: July 2016

A combination of PALS and BDS data revealed the development of negative pressure, due to vitrification of the interfacial molecules, and the behavior of the confined samples can be predicted from EV/Hp of the bulk material.
Adsorption of alkanes on stoichiometric and oxygen-rich RuO2(110)
Authors: Li Tao , Kim Minkyu , Rai Rahul , Liang Zhu , Asthagiri Aravind , Weaver Jason F.
Published: July 2016

Alkanes form strongly-bound σ-complexes on RuO2(110) and change configurations in the presence of co-adsorbed oxygen atoms.
π-Stacking attraction vs. electrostatic repulsion: competing supramolecular interactions in a tpphz-bridged Ru(ii)/Au(iii) complex
Authors: Sorsche Dieter , Schaub Markus , Heinemann Frank W. , Habermehl Johannes , Kuhri Susanne , Guldi Dirk , Guthmuller Julien , Rau Sven
Published: July 2016

Electrostatic repulsion between gold(iii) coordination spheres exceeds π-stacking for the first time in a tpphz-bridged dinuclear PMD model complex.