bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deficits in reinforcement learning but no link to apathy in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Hartmann-Riemer Matthias N. , Aschenbrenner Steffen , Bossert Magdalena , Westermann Celina , Seifritz Erich , Tobler Philippe N. , Weisbrod Matthias , Kaiser Stefan
Published: January 2017

Negative symptoms in schizophrenia have been linked to selective reinforcement learning deficits in the context of gains combined with intact loss-avoidance learning. Fundamental mechanisms of reinforcement learning and choice are prediction error signaling and the precise representation of reward value for future decisions. It is unclear which of these mechanisms contribute to the impairments in learning from positive outcomes observed in schizophrenia. A recent study suggested that patients with severe apathy symptoms show deficits in the representation of expected value. Considering the fundamental relevance for the understanding of these symptoms, we aimed to assess the stability of these findings across studies. Sixty-four patients with schizophrenia and 19 healthy control participants performed a probabilistic reward learning task. They had to associate stimuli with gain or loss-avoidance. In a transfer phase participants indicated valuation of the previously learned stimuli by choosing among them. Patients demonstrated an overall impairment in learning compared to healthy controls. No effects of apathy symptoms on task indices were observed. However, patients with schizophrenia learned better in the context of loss-avoidance than in the context of gain. Earlier findings were thus partially replicated. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanistic link between negative symptoms and reinforcement learning.
Transient anhedonia phenotype and altered circadian timing of behaviour during night-time dim light exposure in Per3−/− mice, but not wildtype mice
Authors: Martynhak Bruno Jacson , Hogben Alexandra L. , Zanos Panos , Georgiou Polymnia , Andreatini Roberto , Kitchen Ian , Archer Simon N. , von Schantz Malcolm , Bailey Alexis , van der Veen Daan R.
Published: January 2017

Industrialisation greatly increased human night-time exposure to artificial light, which in animal models is a known cause of depressive phenotypes. Whilst many of these phenotypes are ‘direct’ effects of light on affect, an ‘indirect’ pathway via altered sleep-wake timing has been suggested. We have previously shown that the Period3 gene, which forms part of the biological clock, is associated with altered sleep-wake patterns in response to light. Here, we show that both wild-type and Per3−/− mice showed elevated levels of circulating corticosterone and increased hippocampal Bdnf expression after 3 weeks of exposure to dim light at night, but only mice deficient for the PERIOD3 protein (Per3−/−) exhibited a transient anhedonia-like phenotype, observed as reduced sucrose preference, in weeks 2–3 of dim light at night, whereas WT mice did not. Per3−/− mice also exhibited a significantly smaller delay in behavioural timing than WT mice during weeks 1, 2 and 4 of dim light at night exposure. When treated with imipramine, neither Per3−/− nor WT mice exhibited an anhedonia-like phenotype, and neither genotypes exhibited a delay in behavioural timing in responses to dLAN. While the association between both Per3−/− phenotypes remains unclear, both are alleviated by imipramine treatment during dim night-time light.
Astragalus polysaccharides attenuate PCV2 infection by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Xue Hongxia , Gan Fang , Qian Gang , Hu Junfa , Hao Shu , Xu Jing , Chen Xingxiang , Huang Kehe
Published: January 2017

This study explored the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infections and its mechanism in vivo and vitro. First, fifty 2-week-old mice were randomly divided into five groups: a group without PCV2 infection and groups with PCV2 infections at 0, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg APS treatments. The trial lasted for 28 days. The results showed that APS treatments at 200 and 400 mg/kg reduced the pathological injury of tissues, inhibited PCV2 infection and decreased glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and GADD153/CHOP gene mRNA and protein expression significantly (P < 0.05). Second, a study on endoplasmic reticulum stress mechanism was carried out in PK15 cells. APS treatments at 15 and 45 μg/mL significantly reduced PCV2 infection and GRP78 mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.05). Tunicamycin supplementation increased GRP78 mRNA and protein expression and significantly attenuated the APS-induced inhibition of PCV2 infection (P < 0.05). Tauroursodeoxycholic acid supplementation decreased GRP78 mRNA and protein expression and significantly inhibited PCV2 infection (P < 0.05). In addition, fifty 2-week-old mice were randomly divided into five groups: Con, PCV2, APS + PCV2, TM + PCV2 and TM + APS + PCV2. The results were similar to those in PK15 cells. Taken together, it could be concluded that APS suppresses PCV2 infection by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Far-infrared protects vascular endothelial cells from advanced glycation end products-induced injury via PLZF-mediated autophagy in diabetic mice
Authors: Chen Cheng-Hsien , Chen Tso-Hsiao , Wu Mei-Yi , Chou Tz-Chong , Chen Jia-Rung , Wei Meng-Jun , Lee San-Liang , Hong Li-Yu , Zheng Cai-Mei , Chiu I-Jen , Lin Yuh-Feng , Hsu Ching-Min , Hsu Yung-Ho
Published: January 2017

The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in diabetic patients induces vascular endothelial injury. Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) is a transcription factor that can be activated by low-temperature far-infrared (FIR) irradiation to exert beneficial effects on the vascular endothelium. In the present study, we investigated the influence of FIR-induced PLZF activation on AGE-induced endothelial injury both in vitro and in vivo. FIR irradiation inhibited AGE-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). PLZF activation increased the expression of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3K), which are important kinases in the autophagic signaling pathway. FIR-induced PLZF activation led to autophagy in HUVEC, which was mediated through the upregulation of PI3K. Immunofluorescence staining showed that AGEs were engulfed by HUVECs and localized to lysosomes. FIR-induced autophagy promoted AGEs degradation in HUVECs. In nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, FIR therapy reduced serum AGEs and AGEs deposition at the vascular endothelium. FIR therapy also reduced diabetes-induced inflammatory markers in the vascular endothelium and improved vascular endothelial function. These protective effects of FIR therapy were not found in PLZF-knockout mice. Our data suggest that FIR-induced PLZF activation in vascular endothelial cells protects the vascular endothelium in diabetic mice from AGE-induced injury.
Orbital angular momentum mode division filtering for photon-phonon coupling
Authors: Zhu Zhi-Han , Sheng Li-Wen , Lv Zhi-Wei , He Wei-Ming , Gao Wei
Published: January 2017

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), a fundamental nonlinear interaction between light and acoustic waves occurring in any transparency material, has been broadly studied for several decades and gained rapid progress in integrated photonics recently. However, the SBS noise arising from the unwanted coupling between photons and spontaneous non-coherent phonons in media is inevitable. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate this obstacle can be overcome via a method called orbital angular momentum mode division filtering. Owing to the introduction of a new distinguishable degree-of-freedom, even extremely weak signals can be discriminated and separated from a strong noise produced in SBS processes. The mechanism demonstrated in this proof-of-principle work provides a practical way for quasi-noise-free photonic-phononic operation, which is still valid in waveguides supporting multi-orthogonal spatial modes, permits more flexibility and robustness for future SBS devices.
MPLEx: a method for simultaneous pathogen inactivation and extraction of samples for multi-omics profiling
Authors: Burnum-Johnson Kristin E. , Kyle Jennifer E. , Eisfeld Amie J. , Casey Cameron P. , Stratton Kelly G. , Gonzalez Juan F. , Habyarimana Fabien , Negretti Nicholas M. , Sims Amy C. , Chauhan Sadhana , Thackray Larissa B. , Halfmann Peter J. , Walters Kevin B. , Kim Young-Mo , Zink Erika M. , Nicora Carrie D. , Weitz Karl K. , Webb-Robertson Bobbie-Jo M. , Nakayasu Ernesto S. , Ahmer Brian , Konkel Michael E. , Motin Vladimir , Baric Ralph S. , Diamond Michael S. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Waters Katrina M. , Smith Richard D. , Metz Thomas O.
Published: January 2017

The continued emergence and spread of infectious agents is of great concern, and systems biology approaches to infectious disease research can advance our understanding of host–pathogen relationships and facilitate the development of new therapies and vaccines.
A near-infrared light responsive c-di-GMP module-based AND logic gate in Shewanella oneidensis
Authors: Hu Yidan , Wu Yichao , Mukherjee Manisha , Cao Bin
Published: January 2017

A near-infrared light responsive c-di-GMP module-based AND logic gated-microbial fuel cell.
Hydrophobicity determines the fate of self-assembled fluorescent nanoparticles in cells
Authors: van Onzen Arthur H. A. M. , Albertazzi Lorenzo , Schenning Albertus P. H. J. , Milroy Lech-Gustav , Brunsveld Luc
Published: January 2017

Small molecule nanoparticles composed of self-assembling intrinsically fluorescent π-conjugated oligomers feature differentiated cellular fate, depending on their hydrophobicity.
A bioorthogonal ‘turn-on’ fluorescent probe for tracking mitochondrial nitroxyl formation
Authors: Sunwoo Kyoung , Bobba Kondapa Naidu , Lim Ja-Yun , Park Taegun , Podder Arup , Heo June Seok , Lee Seung Gwan , Bhuniya Sankarprasad , Kim Jong Seung
Published: January 2017

A bioorthogonal mitochondria targeted HNO sensor was applied for the detection of biological concentrations of HNO in vitro in organelles.
Self-assembled lipoprotein based gold nanoparticles for detection and photothermal disaggregation of β-amyloid aggregates
Authors: Martins P. A. T. , Alsaiari S. , Julfakyan K. , Nie Z. , Khashab N. M.
Published: January 2017

Curcumin loaded lipoprotein based NPs with an ApoE3 shell and an AuNP core are synthesized for the detection and light-triggered disaggregation of Aβ oligomers.
A highly efficient bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst for morphological control of discharged products in Na–air batteries
Authors: Yin Wen-Wen , Fu Zheng-Wen
Published: January 2017

Heterogeneous compounds of Co3O4 and liquid ferrocene as an air catalyst show an excellent cycle performance of up to 570 cycles.
Regioselective switching approach for the synthesis of α and δ carboline derivatives
Authors: Yang Tang-Hao , Kuo Chun-Wei , Kavala Veerababurao , Konala Ashok , Huang Chia-Yu , Yao Ching-Fa
Published: January 2017

A metal-free protocol for accessing both α and δ-carboline derivatives, starting from a common indolylchalcone oxime ester precursor is reported.
Copper(i)/TF-BiphamPhos catalyzed asymmetric nitroso Diels–Alder reaction
Authors: Li Jun , Tao Hai-Yan , Wang Chun-Jiang
Published: January 2017

A highly efficient enantioselective nitroso Diels–Alder reaction of 6-methyl-2-nitroso pyridine with various 1,3-dienes was successfully developed using a copper(i)/(S)–TF-BiphamPhos complex as the catalyst. For most of the cyclic dienes, the cycloadducts were obtained in high yields with excellent regio-, and stereoselectivities. Acyclic 2-silyloxy-1,3-diene also worked well in the reaction.
Pd(0) loaded Zn2(azoBDC)2(dabco) as a heterogeneous catalyst
Authors: Xie Ke , He Yingdian , Zhao Qinghu , Shang Jin , Gu Qinfen , Qiao Greg G. , Webley Paul A.
Published: January 2017

A new metal–organic framework Zn2(azoBDC)2(dabco) is used as a palladium(0) carrier and its application as a heterogeneous catalyst is demonstrated.
The initial stages of melting of graphene between 4000 K and 6000 K
Authors: Ganz Eric , Ganz Ariel B. , Yang Li-Ming , Dornfeld Matthew
Published: January 2017

We have studied the early stages of melting of the freestanding graphene lattice using accurate density functional theory.
Free-energy patterns in inclusion complexes: the relevance of non-included moieties in the stability constants
Authors: Cova Tânia F. G. G. , Nunes Sandra C. C. , Pais Alberto A. C. C.
Published: January 2017

A MD/PMF-based procedure is designed for quantification of the interaction and respective components, guiding complex formation in water between β-CD and several naphthalene derivatives, highlighting the relevance of substituents.
Air-induced double addition of P(O)–H bonds to alkynes: a clean and practical method for the preparation of 1,2-bisphosphorylethanes
Authors: Guo Haiqing , Yoshimura Aya , Chen Tieqiao , Saga Yuta , Han Li-Biao
Published: January 2017

An air-induced double addition of diphenyl phosphine oxide to various alkynes is reported.
A systems approach for the elucidation of crucial genes and network constituents of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN1)
Authors: Suman Shikha , Mishra Ashutosh , Kulshrestha Anurag
Published: January 2017

Network based approach for finding biomarkers for predicting the clinical behavior of cervical neoplasia cells at its earliest onset.
Robust urethane-bridged silica aerogels available for water-carved aerosculptures
Authors: Zhang Yulu , Wang Jin , Wei Yong , Zhang Xuetong
Published: January 2017

Novel in situ bridged silica precursors were used to synthesize robust aerogels for aerosculptures carved with aqueous solvents.
Isoindoline nitroxide-labeled porphyrins as potential fluorescence-suppressed spin probes
Authors: Liu F. , Zou T. J. , Tan Z. L. , Chen S. , Wu Z. H. , Yan G. P. , Zhang Q. , Liang S. C. , Yang J.
Published: January 2017

The reduced isoindoline nitroxide-labeled porphyrins eliminated fluorescence suppression and displayed strong red fluorescence imaging in HepG2 cells.
Photo-induced sol–gel synthesis of polymer-supported silsesquioxane membranes
Authors: Nagasawa Hiroki , Nishibayashi Mai , Kanezashi Masakoto , Yoshioka Tomohisa , Tsuru Toshinori
Published: January 2017

Organically-bridged silsesquioxane membranes are fabricated onto a polymeric nanofiltration membrane via photo-induced sol–gel processing and their molecular separation performance are investigated through pervaporation of azeotropic mixture.
CD200 modulates macrophage cytokine secretion and phagocytosis in response to poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles and films
Authors: Chen Esther Y. , Chu Shu-Hui , Gov Lanny , Kim Yoon Kyung , Lodoen Melissa B. , Tenner Andrea J. , Liu Wendy F.
Published: January 2017

CD200 modified PLGA surfaces inhibits inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) secretion, and enhances anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-10) and phagocytosis by macrophages.
Intramolecular non-covalent interactions as a strategy towards controlled photoluminescence in copper(i) complexes
Authors: Filonenko G. A. , Fayzullin R. R. , Khusnutdinova J. R.
Published: January 2017

Easily accessible N-donor ligands enable tunable photoluminescence via steric modifications.
Porous graphene oxide chemi-capacitor vapor sensor array
Authors: Teradal Nagappa L. , Marx Sharon , Morag Ahiud , Jelinek Raz
Published: January 2017

A new type of cross-selective gas sensor has been developed, based on a vapor-induced capacitance modulation of chemically-functionalized porous graphene oxide (pGO).
Nematic liquid crystal materials as a morphology regulator for ternary small molecule solar cells with power conversion efficiency exceeding 10%
Authors: Zhang Miao , Zhang Fujun , An Qiaoshi , Sun Qianqian , Wang Wenbin , Ma Xiaoling , Zhang Jian , Tang Weihua
Published: January 2017

Highly efficient ternary SMSCs with a PCE of 10.05% are reported by employing the nematic liquid crystal small molecule BTR as the second donor and morphology regulator.
Alternative Treatment Strategies in Women Poorly Tolerating Moderate Doses of Bromocriptine
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Szkróbka Witold , Okopień Bogusław
Published: January 2017

Background: Metformin as well as dopaminergic agents exert a beneficial effect on glucose and lipid metabolism, often impaired in patients with hyperprolactinemia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare metabolic- and prolactin-lowering effects of low-dose bromocriptine/metformin combination therapy and cabergoline in patients with elevated prolactin levels.

Methods: The study included 27 women with hyperprolactinemia and impaired glucose tolerance who were treated with moderate doses of bromocriptine but experienced adverse effects of this treatment. In 12 of these patients bromocriptine was replaced with cabergoline (group A), while the remaining ones continued treatment with bromocriptine, the dose of which was halved, and administered together with metformin (group B). Plasma lipids, glucose homeostasis markers, as well as serum levels of prolactin, thyrotropin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were assessed before and after 4 months of metformin treatment.

Results: Both groups did not differ in baseline levels of plasma glucose and lipids, in insulin sensitivity, as well as in circulating levels of all measured hormones. All patients from group A and 12 patients from group B completed the study. Cabergoline reduced prolactin levels, while no effect on plasma prolactin was found in group B. Neither cabergoline nor bromocriptine plus metformin affected circulating levels of thyrotropin and IGF-1. Both treatment options, particularly low-dose bromocriptine plus metformin, improved glucose and lipid homeostasis.

Conclusions: Low-dose bromocriptine combined with metformin may be an interesting alternative to cabergoline in patients with mild hyperprolactinemia and early glucose metabolism abnormalities, in whom moderate doses of bromocriptine are poorly tolerated.
Cyberweapons: an emerging global governance architecture
Authors: Stevens Tim
Published: January 2017

Cyberweapons are a relatively new addition to the toolbox of contemporary conflict but have the potential to destabilize international relations. Since Stuxnet (a malicious computer worm) in 2010 demonstrated how computer code could be weaponised to generate political effect, cyberweapons have increasingly been discussed in terms of potential regulation and prohibition. Most analyses focus on how global institutions and regimes might be developed to regulate the development and use of cyberweapons and identify the political and technical obstacles to fulfilling this ambition. This focus on centralized authority obscures identification of existing governance efforts in this field, which together constitute an emerging global governance architecture for offensive cyber capabilities. This article explores three sources of cyberweapons governance—cyberwarfare, cybercrime and export controls on dual-use technologies—and briefly describes their political dynamics and prospects. It is argued that although fragmented, the global governance of cyberweapons should not be dismissed on this basis. Fragmentation is a condition of global governance, not its antithesis, and policy should respect this fragmentation instead of regarding it as an impediment to further development of cyberweapons governance. This article is published as part of a collection on global governance.
A simple photoacoustic detector for highly corrosive gases
Authors: Rakovský J. , Votava O.
Published: January 2017

In this work, we present a new design of a cantilever-type photoacoustic (PA) detector with high chemical resistance to be used for a broad range of gaseous samples including highly corrosive gasses. A thin mica cantilever used to sense the PA pressure is the only part that comes into direct contact with the sample gas as its deflection is sensed by a probe laser from outside of the gas cell. The design of the detector is simple, compact, and affordable. It can be constructed without any special fabrication procedure in laboratories equipped with a standard mechanical and electronic workshop. The detector has been tested and its performance evaluated in combination with commercially available pulsed IR tunable optical parametric oscillator and amplifier delivering 2-10 mJ of energy per pulse sampling highly corrosive HCl and HBr gasses. The ro-vibration PA spectrum of the first overtone (ν = 0 → ν = 2) of HCl molecules in the range from 5315 to 5855  cm−1 is presented.
Graphene nanoplatelets induced tailoring in photocatalytic activity and antibacterial characteristics of MgO/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites
Authors: Arshad Aqsa , Iqbal Javed , Siddiq M. , Mansoor Qaisar , Ismail M. , Mehmood Faisal , Ajmal M. , Abid Zubia
Published: January 2017

The synthesis, physical, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties of MgO and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanocomposites are reported. The crystallinity, phase, morphology, chemical bonding, and vibrational modes of prepared nanomaterials are studied. The conductive nature of GNPs is tailored via photocatalysis and enhanced antibacterial activity. It is interestingly observed that the MgO/GNPs nanocomposites with optimized GNPs content show a significant photocatalytic activity (97.23% degradation) as compared to bare MgO (43%) which makes it the potential photocatalyst for purification of industrial waste water. In addition, the effect of increased amount of GNPs on antibacterial performance of nanocomposites against pathogenic micro-organisms is researched, suggesting them toxic. MgO/GNPs 25% nanocomposite may have potential applications in waste water treatment and nanomedicine due its multifunctionality.
Magnetic characteristics and nanostructures of FePt granular films with GeO2 segregant
Authors: Ono Takuya , Moriya Tomohiro , Hatayama Masatoshi , Tsumura Kaoru , Kikuchi Nobuaki , Okamoto Satoshi , Kitakami Osamu , Shimatsu Takehito
Published: January 2017

To realize a granular film composed of L10-FePt grains with high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy, Ku, and segregants for energy-assisted magnetic recording, a FePt-GeO2/FePt-C stacked film was investigated in the engineering process. The FePt-GeO2/FePt-C stacked film fabricated at a substrate temperature of 450 °C realized uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, Kugrain, of about 2.5 × 107 erg/cm3, which is normalized by the volume fraction of FePt grains, and a granular structure with an averaged grain size of 7.7 nm. As the thickness of the FePt-GeO2 upper layer was increased to 9 nm, the Ku values were almost constant. That result differs absolutely from the thickness dependences of the other oxide segregant materials such as SiO2 and TiO2. Such differences on the oxide segregant are attributed to their chemical bond. The strong covalent bond of GeO2 is expected to result in high Ku of the FePt-GeO2/FePt-C stacked films.
Giant improvement in the rectifying performance of oxidized Schottky contacts to ZnO
Authors: Hyland A. M. , Makin R. A. , Durbin S. M. , Allen M. W.
Published: January 2017

The rectifying performance of platinum, palladium, and iridium Schottky contacts on ZnO(0001) surfaces was dramatically improved by their deliberate in-situ oxidation using an O2:Ar rf plasma during fabrication. For example, oxidized Pt Schottky contacts exhibited current rectification of 12 orders-of-magnitude, effective barrier heights of up to 1.30 eV, and stable high-temperature operation at 180 °C, compared to the ohmic behavior (i.e., zero rectification/barrier height) of unoxidized contacts. Oxidized Pd and Ir Schottky contacts also showed similar dramatic improvements compared to their plain metal counterparts. These very large performance gains are attributed to the presence of active oxygen species during Schottky contact formation that produces the following beneficial effects: (1) the removal of the hydroxyl-induced surface potential well and associated electron accumulation layer, (2) the passivation of interfacial oxygen vacancies, and (3) an increase in the work function and electronegativity of the oxidized Schottky contacts.
Electron confinement at diffuse ZnMgO/ZnO interfaces
Authors: Coke Maddison L. , Kennedy Oscar W. , Sagar James T. , Warburton Paul A.
Published: January 2017

Abrupt interfaces between ZnMgO and ZnO are strained due to lattice mismatch. This strain is relaxed if there is a gradual incorporation of Mg during growth, resulting in a diffuse interface. This strain relaxation is however accompanied by reduced confinement and enhanced Mg-ion scattering of the confined electrons at the interface. Here we experimentally study the electronic transport properties of the diffuse heteroepitaxial interface between single-crystal ZnO and ZnMgO films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. The spatial extent of the interface region is controlled during growth by varying the zinc flux. We show that, as the spatial extent of the graded interface is reduced, the enhancement of electron mobility due to electron confinement more than compensates for any suppression of mobility due to increased strain. Furthermore, we determine the extent to which scattering of impurities in the ZnO substrate limits the electron mobility in diffuse ZnMgO–ZnO interfaces.
Demonstration of narrowband X-ray beam by inverse Compton scattering with stored spontaneous emission
Authors: Sei Norihiro , Ogawa Hiroshi , Okuda Shuichi
Published: January 2017

We achieved the generation of narrowband X-ray beams by inverse Compton scattering using stored spontaneous emission and electron bunches in the infrared free-electron laser system of the storage ring NIJI-IV. Using stored spontaneous emission with a resonant wavelength of 1530 nm and an electron beam with an energy of 310 MeV, an X-ray beam with the energy spread of approximately 10% and the Compton edge of 1.2 MeV was observed using a LaBr3(Ce) scintillation detector in the 3-bunch operation. X-ray beams were generated by inverse Compton scattering using stored spontaneous emission in the full-bunch (16-bunch) operation, and an increase in the bunch number is shown to be effective for increasing the Compton X-ray yield. The total yield of the Compton X-ray beam reached 3.1 × 104 photons/s at the electron-beam current of 43.5 mA in the full-bunch operation. These experimental results are likely to be useful for the development of narrowband X-ray beams with energies above 1 MeV, for use in energy recovery linacs and third-generation storage rings.
Microbubble mediated dual-frequency high intensity focused ultrasound thrombolysis: An In vitro study
Authors: Suo Dingjie , Jin Zhiyang , Jiang Xiaoning , Dayton Paul A. , Jing Yun
Published: January 2017

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has recently emerged as a promising alternative approach for thrombolysis. However, the high acoustic energy required by HIFU could elicit thermal damage bioeffects, impeding the clinical translation of this technique. This paper investigates the use of dual-frequency focused ultrasound (DFFU) mediated by microbubbles (MBs) to minimize the acoustic power required for thrombolysis in vitro. It was found that MBs, with sufficient concentration, could significantly lower the power threshold for thrombolysis for both DFFU and single-frequency focused ultrasound (SFFU). In addition, SFFU needs about 96%–156% higher energy to achieve the same thrombolysis efficiency as that of DFFU. The thrombolysis efficiency is also found to increase with the duty cycle. The measured cavitation signals reveal that the enhanced inertial cavitation is likely responsible for the improved thrombolysis under DFFU and MBs.
On the propagation of electromagnetic waves in isotropic media that are both electrically and magnetically dispersive
Authors: Scaife B. K. P.
Published: January 2017

The response of a material to an electromagnetic field is governed by the frequency-dependent dielectric and magnetic parameters ε and μ. An analysis is presented of the storage and transport of energy in an electromagnetic wave passing through an isotropic non-dissipative dispersive medium. This is achieved by the use of electric circuits as analogues of the actual mechanisms within the medium that account for the dispersive behaviour. These analogue circuits are treated in a general way with the aid of Foster’s Reactance Theorem. The energy within a polarized material consists of two parts: the strain energy, made up of the field and elastic energies, and the kinetic energy of the constituent particles. For an electric field e=Ecosωt it is shown that the mean, total, stored energy density is 14ε0E2d(ωε)/dω, an exact relation involving no approximations. Furthermore, the difference between the mean strain energy and the mean kinetic energy densities is 14ε0E2ε. Similar results hold in the magnetic case. The early results obtained by Abraham, and by Brillouin, are confirmed and extended. The models proposed for ε and μ admit of the possibility that either, or both, of these parameters may become negative at some frequencies. It is shown that the Poynting vector and the propagation vector are always parallel to one another provided that ε and μ have the same sign. The speed of energy transmission is calculated and is shown to differ from the group velocity. No support is found for the possibility of negative refraction by materials with negative ε and μ, however it is found that such materials would display unusual refractive properties.
Spin-orbital coupling induced four-fold anisotropy distribution during spin reorientation in ultrathin Co/Pt multilayers
Authors: Yang Qu , Wang Xinjun , Peng Bin , Li Chunlei , Zhou Ziyao , Yan Yuan , Zhou Hongtao , Zhang Yijun , Zhao Shishun , Ren Wei , Ye Zuo-Guang , Sun Nian X. , Liu Ming
Published: January 2017

In this work, we synthesized (Co(t)/Pt)3 multilayers and quantitatively determined thickness and temperature dependence of spin reorientation transition (SRT) and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) using ferromagnetic resonance measurement. The critical thickness for PMA switching as well as tremendous magnetic anisotropy change up to 645 Oe once the temperature varies from 25 °C to −153 °C are demonstrated. More interestingly, a four-fold symmetry of magnetic anisotropy was found to be prominent during the SRT. By conducting magnetic simulation with involving high order energy term, we highly related this phenomenon to the strong spin-orbital coupling, which is considered to be the major energy term to tip the balance between the surface anisotropy and shape anisotropy. These results provide an opportunity for better understanding the transition behaviors which is essential for PMA structure preparation and their related devices.
Perfect absorption of low-frequency sound waves by critically coupled subwavelength resonant system
Authors: Long Houyou , Cheng Ying , Tao Jiancheng , Liu Xiaojun
Published: January 2017

The perfect absorption (PA) for low-frequency audible sound waves has been achieved by critically coupling the inherent loss factor to the inherent leakage factor of a system, which is constructed by attaching a deep-subwavelength lossy resonant plate (LRP) to a backed rigid wall closely. We have certified it by using the graphical method in the complex frequency plane. By coupling the LRP to an air cavity in front of the rigid wall, the high efficient (>80%) low-frequency broadband absorption is obtained from 99.1 Hz to 294.8 Hz. Here, the thickness of LRP is only 1/13.5 of the relevant wavelength at 294.8 Hz. The impedance analyses further demonstrate that the impedances are perfectly matched between the system and the surrounding background medium at PA.
Red blood cell dynamics in biomimetic microfluidic networks of pulmonary alveolar capillaries
Authors: Stauber Hagit , Waisman Dan , Korin Netanel , Sznitman Josué
Published: January 2017

The pulmonary capillary networks (PCNs) embody organ-specific microvasculatures, where blood vessels form dense meshes that maximize the surface area available for gas exchange in the lungs. With characteristic capillary lengths and diameters similar to the size of red blood cells (RBCs), seminal descriptions coined the term "sheet flow" nearly half a century ago to differentiate PCNs from the usual notion of Poiseuille flow in long straight tubes. Here, we revisit in true-scale experiments the original “sheet flow” model and devise for the first time biomimetic microfluidic platforms of organ-specific PCN structures perfused with RBC suspensions at near-physiological hematocrit levels. By implementing RBC tracking velocimetry, our measurements reveal a wide range of heterogonous RBC pathways that coexist synchronously within the PCN; a phenomenon that persists across the broad range of pressure drops and capillary segment sizes investigated. Interestingly, in spite of the intrinsic complexity of the PCN structure and the heterogeneity in RBC dynamics observed at the microscale, the macroscale bulk flow rate versus pressure drop relationship retains its linearity, where the hydrodynamic resistance of the PCN is to a first order captured by the characteristic capillary segment size. To the best of our knowledge, our in vitro efforts constitute a first, yet significant, step in exploring systematically the transport dynamics of blood in morphologically inspired capillary networks.
Engineering topological edge states in two dimensional magnetic photonic crystal
Authors: Yang Bing , Wu Tong , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: January 2017

Based on a perturbative approach, we propose a simple and efficient method to engineer the topological edge states in two dimensional magnetic photonic crystals. The topological edge states in the microstructures can be constructed and varied by altering the parameters of the microstructure according to the field-energy distributions of the Bloch states at the related Bloch wave vectors. The validity of the proposed method has been demonstrated by exact numerical calculations through three concrete examples. Our method makes the topological edge states “designable.”
Paper-based microfluidic devices by asymmetric calendaring
Authors: Oyola-Reynoso S. , Frankiewicz C. , Chang B. , Chen J. , Bloch J.-F. , Thuo M. M.
Published: January 2017

We report a simple, efficient, one-step, affordable method to produce open-channel paper-based microfluidic channels. One surface of a sheet of paper is selectively calendared, with concomitant hydrophobization, to create the microfluidic channel. Our method involves asymmetric mechanical modification of a paper surface using a rolling ball (ball-point pen) under a controlled amount of applied stress (σz) to ascertain that only one side is modified. A lubricating solvent (hexane) aids in the selective deformation. The lubricant also serves as a carrier for a perfluoroalkyl trichlorosilane allowing the channel to be made hydrophobic as it is formed. For brevity and clarity, we abbreviated this method as TACH (Targeted Asymmetric Calendaring and Hydrophobization). We demonstrate that TACH can be used to reliably produce channels of variable widths (size of the ball) and depths (number of passes), without affecting the nonworking surface of the paper. Using tomography, we demonstrate that these channels can vary from 10s to 100s of microns in diameter. The created hydrophobic barrier extends around the channel through wicking to ensure no leakages. We demonstrate, through modeling and fabrication, that flow properties of the resulting channels are analogous to conventional devices and are tunable based on associated dimensionless numbers.
Synthetic Models for Nickel–Iron Hydrogenase Featuring Redox-Active Ligands
Authors: Schilter David , Gray Danielle L. , Fuller Amy L. , Rauchfuss Thomas B.
Published: January 2017

The nickel–iron hydrogenase enzymes efficiently and reversibly interconvert protons, electrons, and dihydrogen. These redox proteins feature iron–sulfur clusters that relay electrons to and from their active sites. Reported here are synthetic models for nickel–iron hydrogenase featuring redox-active auxiliaries that mimic the iron–sulfur cofactors. The complexes prepared are NiII(μ-H)FeIIFeII species of formula [(diphosphine)Ni(dithiolate)(μ-H)Fe(CO)2(ferrocenylphosphine)]+ or NiIIFeIFeII complexes [(diphosphine)Ni(dithiolate)Fe(CO)2(ferrocenylphosphine)]+ (diphosphine = Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2 or Cy2P(CH2)2PCy2; dithiolate = –S(CH2)3S–; ferrocenylphosphine = diphenylphosphinoferrocene, diphenylphosphinomethyl(nonamethylferrocene) or 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene). The hydride species is a catalyst for hydrogen evolution, while the latter hydride-free complexes can exist in four redox states – a feature made possible by the incorporation of the ferrocenyl groups. Mixed-valent complexes of 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene have one of the phosphine groups unbound, with these species representing advanced structural models with both a redox-active moiety (the ferrocene group) and a potential proton relay (the free phosphine) proximal to a nickel–iron dithiolate.
Global scenarios of urban density and its impacts on building energy use through 2050
Authors: Güneralp Burak , Zhou Yuyu , Ürge-Vorsatz Diana , Gupta Mukesh , Yu Sha , Patel Pralit L. , Fragkias Michail , Li Xiaoma , Seto Karen C.
Published: January 2017

Significance

Urban density significantly impacts urban energy use and the quality of life of urban residents. Here, we provide a global-scale analysis of future urban densities and associated energy use in the built environment under different urbanization scenarios. The relative importance of urban density and energy-efficient technologies varies geographically. In developing regions, urban density tends to be the more critical factor in building energy use. Large-scale retrofitting of building stock later rather than sooner results in more energy savings by the middle of the century. Reducing building energy use, improving the local environment, and mitigating climate change can be achieved through systemic efforts that take potential co-benefits and trade-offs of both higher urban density and building energy efficiency into account.
Content analysis of 150 years of British periodicals
Authors: Lansdall-Welfare Thomas , Sudhahar Saatviga , Thompson James , Lewis Justin ,   FindMyPast Newspaper Team, Cristianini Nello , Gregor Amy , Low Boon , Atkin-Wright Toby , Dobson Malcolm , Callison Richard
Published: January 2017

Significance

The use of large datasets has revolutionized the natural sciences and is widely believed to have the potential to do so with the social and human sciences. Many digitization efforts are underway, but the high-throughput methods of data production have not yet led to a comparable output in analysis. A notable exception has been the previous statistical analysis of the content of historical books, which started a debate about the limitations of using big data in this context. This study moves the debate forward using a large corpus of historical British newspapers and tools from artificial intelligence to extract macroscopic trends in history and culture, including gender bias, geographical focus, technology, and politics, along with accurate dates for specific events.
Chronic innate immune activation of TBK1 suppresses mTORC1 activity and dysregulates cellular metabolism
Authors: Hasan Maroof , Gonugunta Vijay K. , Dobbs Nicole , Ali Aktar , Palchik Guillermo , Calvaruso Maria A. , DeBerardinis Ralph J. , Yan Nan
Published: January 2017

Significance

Patients with chronic autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases often also present metabolic phenotypes. The molecular connection between inflammation and metabolism is incompletely understood. We describe a mouse model, three-prime repair exonuclease 1 knockout, that presents both chronic systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. We genetically separated the inflammation and metabolic phenotypes and biochemically identified TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) as a key regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, a master regulator of metabolism. Chronically activated TBK1 and interferon signaling are associated with many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Our study provides a mechanism by which the innate immune signaling pathways regulate cellular metabolism.
Pathogen boosted adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy to treat solid tumors
Authors: Xin Gang , Schauder David M. , Jing Weiqing , Jiang Aimin , Joshi Nikhil S. , Johnson Bryon , Cui Weiguo
Published: January 2017

Significance

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, insufficient migration, and reduced effector function of tumor-specific T cells are the main hurdles that hamper the efficacy of immunotherapy in treating solid tumors. In this study, we combined the strength of adoptive cell transfer (ACT) and pathogen-based cancer vaccine and developed an innovative strategy, Reenergized ACT (ReACT), to treat solid tumors. ReACT uses a pathogen not only to break the immunosuppression, but also to drive the expansion and migration of tumor-specific T cells to the site of the tumor. With this combinatorial approach, we have demonstrated that ReACT enhances antitumor efficacy in comparison with either ACT or pathogen-based cancer vaccine alone in primary tumor eradication and offers long-term protection against reoccurrence in preclinical cancer models.
All-carbon-based porous topological semimetal for Li-ion battery anode material
Authors: Liu Junyi , Wang Shuo , Sun Qiang
Published: January 2017

Significance

The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics highlighted the importance of topological state in science and technology. Here we explore the possibility of using all-carbon-based topological semimetal (ACTS) for lithium-ion battery anode material based on the merits of intrinsic high electronic conductivity and ordered porosity. Using state-of-the-art theoretical calculations, we do show, by taking topological semimetal bco-C
16
as an example, that ACTS structures can be promising anode materials with high specific capacity, fast ion kinetics, and slight volume change during operation. Our study would not only pave a pathway for design of high-performance anode materials going beyond the commercially used graphite but would also encourage further theoretical studies on topological phases of carbon materials.
Calsequestrin depolymerizes when calcium is depleted in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of working muscle
Authors: Manno Carlo , Figueroa Lourdes C. , Gillespie Dirk , Fitts Robert , Kang ChulHee , Franzini-Armstrong Clara , Rios Eduardo
Published: January 2017

Significance

We show that calsequestrin, the main Ca
2+
storing protein of muscle, is polymerized inside the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and its mobility increases greatly upon SR depletion, indicating depolymerization. Deep depletion causes massive calsequestrin migration and radical SR remodeling, often accompanied by a surge in intra-SR free Ca
2+
. The changes in calsequestrin polymerization observed in aqueous solutions therefore also occur in vivo. These changes help explain some uniquely advantageous properties of the SR as a source of calcium for contractile activation. The results support untested hypotheses about additional calsequestrin roles in the control of channel gating and facilitation of calcium flux. They also provide insights on the consequences of calsequestrin mutations for functional competence and structural stability of skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Quantum entanglement for systems of identical bosons: I. General features
Authors: Dalton B J , Goold J , Garraway B M , Reid M D
Published: January 2017

These two accompanying papers are concerned with two mode entanglement for systems of identical massive bosons and the relationship to spin squeezing and other quantum correlation effects. Entanglement is a key quantum feature of composite systems in which the probabilities for joint measurements on the composite sub-systems are no longer determined from measurement probabilities on the separate sub-systems. There are many aspects of entanglement that can be studied. This two-part review focuses on the meaning of entanglement, the quantum paradoxes associated with entangled states, and the important tests that allow an experimentalist to determine whether a quantum state—in particular, one for massive bosons is entangled. An overall outcome of the review is to distinguish criteria (and hence experiments) for entanglement that fully utilize the symmetrization principle and the super-selection rules that can be applied to bosonic massive particles. In the first paper (I), the background is given for the meaning of entanglement in the context of systems of identical particles. For such systems, the requirement is that the relevant quantum density operators must satisfy the symmetrization principle and that global and local super-selection rules prohibit states in which there are coherences between differing particle numbers. The justification for these requirements is fully discussed. In the second quantization approach that is used, both the system and the sub-systems are modes (or sets of modes) rather than particles, particles being associated with different occupancies of the modes. The definition of entangled states is based on first defining the non-entangled states—after specifying which modes constitute the sub-systems. This work mainly focuses on the two mode entanglement for massive bosons, but is put in the context of tests of local hidden variable theories, where one may not be able to make the above restrictions. The review provides the detailed arguments necessary for the conclusions of a recent paper, where the question of how to rigorously demonstrate the entanglement of a two-mode Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) has been examined. In the accompanying review paper (II), we consider spin squeezing and other tests for entanglement that have been proposed for two-mode bosonic systems. We apply the approach of review (I) to determine which tests, and which modifications of the tests, are useful for detecting entanglement in massive bosonic (BEC), as opposed to photonic, systems. Several new inequalities are derived, a theory for the required two-mode interferometry is presented, and key experiments to date are analyzed.
The hybrid method for the treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus: preliminary results on 92 consecutive feet
Authors: Canavese Federico , Mansour Mounira , Moreau-Pernet Guillemette , Gorce Yannael , Dimeglio Alain
Published: January 2017

Over the past 4 years, our pediatric orthopedic unit has developed a new hybrid protocol combining the advantages of Ponseti’s method and the French functional physiotherapy method. Sixty-one patients (92 feet) completed treatment. Clubfoot was unilateral in 30 (49.2%) patients and bilateral in 31 (50.8%) patients. The mean Dimeglio score at the start of treatment was 13.5/20 (range: 6/20–19/20). All patients had clinical and radiographic follow-up for at least 2 years (range: 2–4 years). If orthopedic treatment was ineffective and feet showed no improvement, further surgery was performed. Posterior release was performed in eight (8.7%) feet. Clinical evaluation at the last follow-up found a mean dorsal flexion of 20°±5° (range: 5°–35°). The hybrid method is a combination approach applying the strengths of Ponseti’s method, that is, serial casting, and the French physiotherapy method, that is, manipulations and radiographs, to achieve long-term correction with a foot that is fully functional and pain free.
Endoscopic Woodward procedure for Sprengel deformity: case report
Authors: Soldado Francisco , Barrera-Ochoa Sergi , Domenech-Fernandez Pedro , Bergua-Domingo Josep M. , Diaz-Gallardo Paula , Knorr Jorge
Published: January 2017

Sprengel deformity (SD) results in a limitation of movement of the shoulder girdle and produces an esthetic defect. Our aim is to assess the feasibility and advantages of a minimally invasive endoscopic approach for SD correction. A 4-year-old boy with a Cavendish grade III right SD. The patient underwent an endoscopic Woodward procedure with access through two small incisions at the level of the upper and lower angles of the scapula. Near-symmetrical shoulder elevation was achieved, with an excellent cosmetic result. The endoscopic Woodward procedure is a feasible, effective, and minimally invasive technique in the treatment of SD. Level of Evidence: V.