bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viele Wege führen zur Resilienz
Authors: Reinelt Tilman , Schipper Marc , Petermann Franz
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Die Popularität des Resilienzbegriffes in der Forschung und Praxis begünstigt, dass dieser Begriff uneinheitlich verwendet wird. Dabei wird in der Regel das Ergebnis einer gesunden Entwicklung trotz widriger Umstände mit den zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen und Prozessen der Gesunderhaltung konfundiert. Ausgehend von einem Verständnis von Resilienz als einem Label für eine gesunde Entwicklung trotz widriger Umstände werden drei mögliche Entwicklungsverläufe von Resilienz vorgestellt: (1) Resilienz durch Resistenz, (2) Resilienz durch Kompensation und (3) Resilienz durch Restrukturieren. Die Bedeutung der unterschiedlichen Verläufe für die Gestaltung von Resilienzförderprogrammen wird für unterschiedliche Zielgruppen diskutiert.
Sustained shared thinking als Interaktionsformat und das Sprachverhalten von Kindern
Authors: Hildebrandt Frauke , Scheidt Alexander , Hildebrandt Andrea , Hédervári-Heller Éva , Dreier Annette
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Die Interaktion zwischen pädagogischer Fachkraft und Kind ist eine zentrale Qualitätsdimension in der frühen Bildung. Ein Interaktionsformat wurde als besonders wirksam für weitere Bildungsverläufe identifiziert: sustained shared thinking (SST). SST ist eine Form kognitiver Kooperation. Es setzt aktive Partizipation der Interagierenden voraus und zielt auf gemeinsame gedankliche Problemlösungen, Begriffsklärungen und Bewertungen von Ereignissen. Ziel der Untersuchung ist es, mit Hilfe eines standardisierten experimentellen Settings Aufschluss über die Einflüsse von zentralen SST-Sprechhandlungen auf quantitativ-sprachliche und sprachlich-kognitive abhängige Variablen bei Kindern zu gewinnen. Dazu wurde das Dialogverhalten von Kindern im Alter von 2 bis 6 Jahren (N = 38) mit ihren Bezugserzieherinnen bei der Betrachtung von Bildkarten in 1:1-Situationen untersucht. Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass die Anwendung von SST-Sprechhandlungen einen positiven Einfluss auf das Sprachverhalten von Kindern hat und dass diese Effekte unabhängig vom sozioökonomischen Status und kognitiver Leistung (hier Arbeitsgedächtnis als Proxy für fluide kognitive Fähigkeiten) der Kinder auftreten.
Psychophysiological Changes Associated With Self-Regulation of	Sleepiness and Cessation From a Hazard Perception Task
Authors: Watling Christopher N. , Smith Simon S. , Horswill Mark S.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The relationship between a driver’s ability to identify increasing sleepiness and ceasing driving when sleepy is relatively unexamined. Several studies suggest that drivers have some ability to identify increasing levels of sleepiness. However, whether that identification of sleepiness leads to drivers being able to self-regulate and cease driving has not been examined. This study assessed the capacity of drivers to identify sleepiness and to self-regulate their own simulated driving cessation. Twenty-six young adults completed a validated hazard perception simulated task when moderately sleep deprived after a 05:00 wakeup. Participants were instructed to stop driving if they thought they were too sleepy to drive safely on the road. Physiological (EEG, EOG, and ECG) and subjective (Karolinska Sleepiness scale) measures were used to examine self-regulation of simulated driving cessation. The behavioral validity of the participants’ subjective sleepiness was then examined with a 30 min nap opportunity. All participants ceased the task on average after approximately 40 min (range = 12.5–73 min). No participant was judged to have experienced any microsleeps or fallen asleep. Subjective sleepiness and EOG-based blink duration measures increased significantly from the beginning of the drive to the end of the simulated driving episodes. During the nap opportunity 23 of the 26 participants were able to achieve sleep onset. The results suggest that moderately sleep deprived individuals can identify increasing sleepiness and then take action to cease a hazard perception task. Potentially, on-road drivers could benefit from better elicitation of subjective sleepiness and their self-regulation of driving cessation.
Non-cultivated plants present a season-long route of pesticide exposure for honey bees
Authors: Long Elizabeth Y. , Krupke Christian H.
Published: May 2016

Recent efforts to evaluate the contribution of neonicotinoid insecticides to worldwide pollinator declines have focused on honey bees and the chronic levels of exposure experienced when foraging on crops grown from neonicotinoid-treated seeds. However, few studies address non-crop plants as a potential route of pollinator exposure to neonicotinoid and other insecticides. Here we show that pollen collected by honey bee foragers in maize- and soybean-dominated landscapes is contaminated throughout the growing season with multiple agricultural pesticides, including the neonicotinoids used as seed treatments. Notably, however, the highest levels of contamination in pollen are pyrethroid insecticides targeting mosquitoes and other nuisance pests. Furthermore, pollen from crop plants represents only a tiny fraction of the total diversity of pollen resources used by honey bees in these landscapes, with the principle sources of pollen originating from non-cultivated plants. These findings provide fundamental information about the foraging habits of honey bees in these landscapes.
Graphene ballistic nano-rectifier with very high responsivity
Authors: Auton Gregory , Zhang Jiawei , Kumar Roshan Krishna , Wang Hanbin , Zhang Xijian , Wang Qingpu , Hill Ernie , Song Aimin
Published: May 2016

Although graphene has the longest mean free path of carriers of any known electronic material, very few novel devices have been reported to harness this extraordinary property. Here we demonstrate a ballistic nano-rectifier fabricated by creating an asymmetric cross-junction in single-layer graphene sandwiched between boron nitride flakes. A mobility ∼200,000 cm2 V−1 s−1 is achieved at room temperature, well beyond that required for ballistic transport. This enables a voltage responsivity as high as 23,000 mV mW−1 with a low-frequency input signal. Taking advantage of the output channels being orthogonal to the input terminals, the noise is found to be not strongly influenced by the input. Hence, the corresponding noise-equivalent power is as low as 0.64 pW Hz−1/2. Such performance is even comparable to superconducting bolometers, which however need to operate at cryogenic temperatures. Furthermore, output oscillations are observed at low temperatures, the period of which agrees with the lateral size quantization.
Rational design of a protein that binds integrin αvβ3 outside the ligand binding site
Authors: Turaga Ravi Chakra , Yin Lu , Yang Jenny J. , Lee Hsiauwei , Ivanov Ivaylo , Yan Chunli , Yang Hua , Grossniklaus Hans E. , Wang Siming , Ma Cheng , Sun Li , Liu Zhi-Ren
Published: May 2016

Integrin αvβ3 expression is altered in various diseases and has been proposed as a drug target. Here we use a rational design approach to develop a therapeutic protein, which we call ProAgio, that binds to integrin αvβ3 outside the classical ligand-binding site. We show ProAgio induces apoptosis of integrin αvβ3-expressing cells by recruiting and activating caspase 8 to the cytoplasmic domain of integrin αvβ3. ProAgio also has anti-angiogenic activity and strongly inhibits growth of tumour xenografts, but does not affect the established vasculature. Toxicity analyses demonstrate that ProAgio is not toxic to mice. Our study reports a new integrin-targeting agent with a unique mechanism of action, and provides a template for the development of integrin-targeting therapeutics.
Attosecond nanoscale near-field sampling
Authors: Förg B. , Schötz J. , Süßmann F. , Förster M. , Krüger M. , Ahn B. , Okell W. A. , Wintersperger K. , Zherebtsov S. , Guggenmos A. , Pervak V. , Kessel A. , Trushin S. A. , Azzeer A. M. , Stockman M. I. , Kim D. , Krausz F. , Hommelhoff P. , Kling M. F.
Published: May 2016

The promise of ultrafast light-field-driven electronic nanocircuits has stimulated the development of the new research field of attosecond nanophysics. An essential prerequisite for advancing this new area is the ability to characterize optical near fields from light interaction with nanostructures, with sub-cycle resolution. Here we experimentally demonstrate attosecond near-field retrieval for a tapered gold nanowire. By comparison of the results to those obtained from noble gas experiments and trajectory simulations, the spectral response of the nanotaper near field arising from laser excitation can be extracted.
Efficient entanglement distillation without quantum memory
Authors: Abdelkhalek Daniela , Syllwasschy Mareike , Cerf Nicolas J. , Fiurášek Jaromír , Schnabel Roman
Published: May 2016

Entanglement distribution between distant parties is an essential component to most quantum communication protocols. Unfortunately, decoherence effects such as phase noise in optical fibres are known to demolish entanglement. Iterative (multistep) entanglement distillation protocols have long been proposed to overcome decoherence, but their probabilistic nature makes them inefficient since the success probability decays exponentially with the number of steps. Quantum memories have been contemplated to make entanglement distillation practical, but suitable quantum memories are not realised to date. Here, we present the theory for an efficient iterative entanglement distillation protocol without quantum memories and provide a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration. The scheme is applied to phase-diffused two-mode-squeezed states and proven to distil entanglement for up to three iteration steps. The data are indistinguishable from those that an efficient scheme using quantum memories would produce. Since our protocol includes the final measurement it is particularly promising for enhancing continuous-variable quantum key distribution.
Quantum teleportation from light beams to vibrational states of a macroscopic diamond
Authors: Hou P.-Y. , Huang Y.-Y. , Yuan X.-X. , Chang X.-Y. , Zu C. , He L. , Duan L.-M.
Published: May 2016

With the recent development of optomechanics, the vibration in solids, involving collective motion of trillions of atoms, gradually enters into the realm of quantum control. Here, building on the recent remarkable progress in optical control of motional states of diamonds, we report an experimental demonstration of quantum teleportation from light beams to vibrational states of a macroscopic diamond under ambient conditions. Through quantum process tomography, we demonstrate average teleportation fidelity (90.6±1.0)%, clearly exceeding the classical limit of 2/3. The experiment pushes the target of quantum teleportation to the biggest object so far, with interesting implications for optomechanical quantum control and quantum information science.
An electric generator using living Torpedo electric organs controlled by fluid pressure-based alternative nervous systems
Authors: Tanaka Yo , Funano Shun-ichi , Nishizawa Yohei , Kamamichi Norihiro , Nishinaka Masahiro , Kitamori Takehiko
Published: May 2016

Direct electric power generation using biological functions have become a research focus due to their low cost and cleanliness. Unlike major approaches using glucose fuels or microbial fuel cells (MFCs), we present a generation method with intrinsically high energy conversion efficiency and generation with arbitrary timing using living electric organs of Torpedo (electric rays) which are serially integrated electrocytes converting ATP into electric energy. We developed alternative nervous systems using fluid pressure to stimulate electrocytes by a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (Ach) and demonstrated electric generation. Maximum voltage and current were 1.5 V and 0.64 mA, respectively, with a duration time of a few seconds. We also demonstrated energy accumulation in a capacitor. The current was far larger than that using general cells other than electrocytes (~pA level). The generation ability was confirmed against repetitive cycles and also after preservation for 1 day. This is the first step toward ATP-based energy harvesting devices.
Correction: Corrigendum: Velocity distribution in active particles systems
Authors: Marconi Umberto Marini Bettolo , Gnan Nicoletta , Paoluzzi Matteo , Maggi Claudio , Di Leonardo Roberto
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 23297; published online: 22 March 2016; updated: 31 May 2016 In this Article, Roberto Di Leonardo is incorrectly affiliated with ‘CNR-IMIP, UOS Roma, Dipartimento di Fisica Università Sapienza, I-00185, Roma, Italy’. The correct affiliation is listed below: NANOTEC-CNR, Institute of Nanotechnology, Soft and Living Matter Laboratory, Roma, Italy.
Correction: Corrigendum: Neuronal activity controls transsynaptic geometry
Authors: Glebov Oleg O. , Cox Susan , Humphreys Lawrence , Burrone Juan
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 22703; published online: 08 March 2016; updated: 31 May 2016 This Article contains errors. In the Results section, “In contrast to the cortical neurons12, activity blockade did not result in a decreased abundance of either Homer or Bassoon and did not affect thesynaptic area (Supplementary Fig.
Correction: Corrigendum: Genetic Variations of NLR family genes in Behcet’s Disease
Authors: Li Lin , Yu Hongsong , Jiang Yanni , Deng Bolin , Bai Lin , Kijlstra Aize , Yang Peizeng
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 20098; published online: 01 February 2016; updated: 31 May 2016 This Article contains errors. In Table 1, the number of Female ‘186’ and Male ‘764’ patients enrolled in this study is incorrectly given as ‘950’ and ‘755’ respectively. In the Results section, “Thecase group comprised 186 women and 764 men, and the average age of the BD patients was 33.
A Novel Complotype Combination Associates with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and High Complement Activation Levels in vivo
Authors: Paun Constantin C. , Lechanteur Yara T. E. , Groenewoud Joannes M. M. , Altay Lebriz , Schick Tina , Daha Mohamed R. , Fauser Sascha , Hoyng Carel B. , den Hollander Anneke I. , de Jong Eiko K.
Published: May 2016

The complement system is the first line of defense against foreign intruders and deregulation of this system has been described in multiple diseases. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), patients have higher complement activation levels compared to controls. Recently, a combination of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of the complement system, referred to as a complotype, has been described to increase complement activation in vitro. Here we describe a novel complotype composed of CFB (rs4151667)-CFB (rs641153)-CFH (rs800292), which is strongly associated with both AMD disease status (p = 5.84*10−13) and complement activation levels in vivo (p = 8.31*10−9). The most frequent genotype combination of this complotype was associated with the highest complement activation levels in both patients and controls. These findings are relevant in the context of complement-lowering treatments for AMD that are currently under development. Patients with a genetic predisposition to higher complement activation levels will potentially benefit the most of such treatments.
Correction: Corrigendum: The Inhibition of the Rayleigh-Taylor Instability by Rotation
Authors: Baldwin Kyle A. , Scase Matthew M. , Hill Richard J. A.
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 5: Article number: 11706; published online: 01 July 2015; updated: 31 May 2016 The authors of this Article would like to clarify a point regarding the experimental technique described in the Results section. This clarification does not affect the findings and results of this study.
Erratum: CAP2 in cardiac conduction, sudden cardiac death and eye development
Authors: Field Jeffrey , Ye Diana Z. , Shinde Manasi , Liu Fang , Schillinger Kurt J. , Lu MinMin , Wang Tao , Skettini Michelle , Xiong Yao , Brice Angela K. , Chung Daniel C. , Patel Vickas V.
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 5: Article number: 17256; published online: 30 November 2015; updated: 31 May 2016 This Article contains typographical errors in the legend of Supplementary Figure S1, “Physiology phenotyping (a and b) DEXA analysis of mice. (c) Grip strength of mice (d) Glucose tolerance test. Error bars ± S.
Identifying structures of continuously-varying weighted networks
Authors: Mei Guofeng , Wu Xiaoqun , Chen Guanrong , Lu Jun-an
Published: May 2016

Identifying network structures from dynamical observations is a fundamental problem currently pervading scientific research on complex systems, as understanding and modeling the structure of a complex network will lead to greater knowledge of its evolutionary mechanisms and to a better understanding of its functional behaviors. Usually, one needs to identify a network’s structure through a limited number of observations. Particularly, couplings of many real-world networks are sparse and continuously varying with time. In this study, a new framework is developed via optimization for identifying structures of continuously-varying weighted networks formed by sparsely-connected dynamical systems. Furthermore, a regularization technique is employed to increase the numerical stability of the parameter estimation algorithm. Three numerical examples are provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed identification method. In comparison with other existing techniques, the main advantages of our method include its ability to identify structures of continuously-varying weighted networks in addition to static ones, as well as its requirement of a relatively small number of observations. The proposed method has a potential applicability to a variety of evolving complex dynamical networks.
Correction: Corrigendum: Mapping the small-world properties of brain networks in deception with functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Jiang , Lin Xiaohong , Fu Genyue , Sai Liyang , Chen Huafu , Yang Jianbo , Wang Mingwen , Liu Qi , Yang Gang , Zhang Junran , Yuan Zhen
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 25297; published online: 29 April 2016; updated: 31 May 2016 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Genyue Fu, which was incorrectly given as Genyu Fu. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Resistive switching behavior of reduced graphene oxide memory cells for low power nonvolatile device application
Authors: Pradhan Sangram K. , Xiao Bo , Mishra Saswat , Killam Alex , Pradhan Aswini K.
Published: May 2016

Graphene Oxide (GO) based low cost flexible electronics and memory cell have recently attracted more attention for the fabrication of emerging electronic devices. As a suitable candidate for resistive random access memory technology, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) can be widely used for non-volatile switching memory applications because of its large surface area, excellent scalability, retention and endurance properties. We demonstrated that the fabricated metal/RGO/metal memory device exhibited excellent switching characteristics, with on/off ratio of two orders of magnitude and operated threshold switching voltage of less than 1 V. The studies on different cell diameter, thickness, scan voltages and period of time corroborate the reliability of the device as resistive random access memory. The microscopic origin of switching operation is governed by the establishment of conducting filaments due to the interface amorphous layer rupturing and the movement of oxygen in the GO layer. This interesting experimental finding indicates that device made up of thermally reduced GO shows more reliability for its use in next generation electronics devices.
Exploring flavour-producing core microbiota in multispecies solid-state fermentation of traditional Chinese vinegar
Authors: Wang Zong-Min , Lu Zhen-Ming , Shi Jin-Song , Xu Zheng-Hong
Published: May 2016

Multispecies solid-state fermentation (MSSF), a natural fermentation process driven by reproducible microbiota, is an important technique to produce traditional fermented foods. Flavours, skeleton of fermented foods, was mostly produced by microbiota in food ecosystem. However, the association between microbiota and flavours and flavour-producing core microbiota are still poorly understood. Here, acetic acid fermentation (AAF) of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar was taken as a typical case of MSSF. The structural and functional dynamics of microbiota during AAF process was determined by metagenomics and favour analyses. The dominant bacteria and fungi were identified as Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Aspergillus and Alternaria, respectively. Total 88 flavours including 2 sugars, 9 organic acids, 18 amino acids and 59 volatile flavours were detected during AAF process. O2PLS-based correlation analysis between microbiota succession and flavours dynamics showed bacteria made more contribution to flavour formation than fungi. Seven genera including Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Enhydrobacter, Lactococcus, Gluconacetobacer, Bacillus and Staphylococcus were determined as functional core microbiota for production of flavours in Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar, based on their dominance and functionality in microbial community. This study provides a perspective for bridging the gap between the phenotype and genotype of ecological system and advances our understanding of MSSF mechanisms in Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar.
Interleukin-17A Contributes to the Control of Streptococcus pyogenes Colonization and Inflammation of the Female Genital Tract
Authors: Carey Alison J. , Weinberg Jason B. , Dawid Suzanne R. , Venturini Carola , Lam Alfred K. , Nizet Victor , Caparon Michael G. , Walker Mark J. , Watson Michael E. , Ulett Glen C.
Published: May 2016

Postpartum women are at increased risk of developing puerperal sepsis caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS). Specific GAS serotypes, including M1 and M28, are more commonly associated with puerperal sepsis. However, the mechanisms of GAS genital tract infection are not well understood. We utilized a murine genital tract carriage model to demonstrate that M1 and M28 GAS colonization triggers TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-17A production in the female genital tract. GAS-induced IL-17A significantly influences streptococcal carriage and alters local inflammatory responses in two genetically distinct inbred strains of mice. An absence of IL-17A or the IL-1 receptor was associated with reduced neutrophil recruitment to the site of infection; and clearance of GAS was significantly attenuated in IL-17A−/− mice and Rag1−/− mice (that lack mature lymphocytes) but not in mice deficient for the IL-1 receptor. Together, these findings support a role for IL-17A in contributing to the control of streptococcal mucosal colonization and provide new insight into the inflammatory mediators regulating host-pathogen interactions in the female genital tract.
Self-Injection Locking of a Vortex Spin Torque Oscillator by Delayed Feedback
Authors: Tsunegi Sumito , Grimaldi Eva , Lebrun Romain , Kubota Hitoshi , Jenkins Alex S. , Yakushiji Kay , Fukushima Akio , Bortolotti Paolo , Grollier Julie , Yuasa Shinji , Cros Vincent
Published: May 2016

The self-synchronization of spin torque oscillators is investigated experimentally by re-injecting its radiofrequency (rf) current after a certain delay time. We demonstrate that the integrated power and spectral linewidth are improved for optimal delays. Moreover by varying the phase difference between the emitted power and the re-injected one, we find a clear oscillatory dependence on the phase difference with a 2π periodicity of the frequency of the oscillator as well as its power and linewidth. Such periodical behavior within the self-injection regime is well described by the general model of nonlinear auto-oscillators including not only a delayed rf current but also all spin torque forces responsible for the self-synchronization. Our results reveal new approaches for controlling the non-autonomous dynamics of spin torque oscillators, a key issue for rf spintronics applications as well as for the development of neuro-inspired spin-torque oscillators based devices.
The Neuroprotection of Liraglutide Against Ischaemia-induced Apoptosis through the Activation of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK Pathways
Authors: Zhu Huili , Zhang Yusheng , Shi Zhongshan , Lu Dan , Li Tingting , Ding Yan , Ruan Yiwen , Xu Anding
Published: May 2016

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion to reduce the glucose level. Liraglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 analogue, has been found to have neuroprotective action in various experimental models. However, the protective mechanisms of liraglutide in ischaemic stroke remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that liraglutide significantly decreased the infarct volume, improved neurologic deficits and lowered stress-related hyperglycaemia without causing hypoglycaemia in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Liraglutide inhibited cell apoptosis by reducing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improving the function of mitochondria in neurons under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro and MCAO in vivo. Liraglutide up-regulated the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and inhibited the phosphorylation of c-jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Moreover, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 and/or the ERK inhibitor U0126 counteracted the protective effect of liraglutide. Taken together, these results suggest that liraglutide exerts neuroprotective action against ischaemia-induced apoptosis through the reduction of ROS and the activation of the PI3K/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Therefore, liraglutide has therapeutic potential for patients with ischaemic stroke, especially those with Type 2 diabetes mellitus or stress hyperglycaemia.
A Microfabricated Platform for Generating Physiologically-Relevant Hepatocyte Zonation
Authors: McCarty William J. , Usta O. Berk , Yarmush Martin L.
Published: May 2016

In vitro liver models have been important tools for more than 40 years for academic research and preclinical toxicity screening by the pharmaceutical industry. Hepatocytes, the highly metabolic parenchymal cells of the liver, are efficient at different metabolic chemistries depending on their relative spatial location along the sinusoid from the portal triad to the central vein. Although replicating hepatocyte metabolic zonation is vitally important for physiologically-relevant in vitro liver tissue and organ models, it is most often completely overlooked. Here, we demonstrate the creation of spatially-controlled zonation across multiple hepatocyte metabolism levels through the application of precise concentration gradients of exogenous hormone (insulin and glucagon) and chemical (3-methylcholanthrene) induction agents in a microfluidic device. Observed gradients in glycogen storage via periodic acid-Schiff staining, urea production via carbamoyl phosphatase synthetase I staining and cell viability after exposure to allyl alcohol and acetaminophen demonstrated the in vitro creation of hepatocyte carbohydrate, nitrogen, alcohol degradation and drug conjugation metabolic zonation. This type of advanced control system will be crucial for studies evaluating drug metabolism and toxicology using in vitro constructs.
Smoothened Agonist Reduces Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown in Humanized Mice
Authors: Singh Vir B. , Singh Meera V. , Gorantla Santhi , Poluektova Larisa Y. , Maggirwar Sanjay B.
Published: May 2016

Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorder is characterized by recruitment of activated/infected leukocytes into the CNS via disrupted Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) that contributes to persistent neuro-inflammation. In this report, humanized NOD/scid-IL2Rγcnull mice were used to establish that impaired Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling is associated with loss of BBB function and neurological damage, and that modulating Shh signaling can rescue these detrimental effects. Plasma viral load, p24 levels and CD4+ T cells were measured as markers of productive HIV infection. These mice also showed impaired exclusion of Evans blue dye from the brain, increased plasma levels of S100B, an astrocytic protein, and down-regulation of tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin5, collectively indicating BBB dysfunction. Further, brain tissue from HIV+ mice indicated reduced synaptic density, neuronal atrophy, microglial activation, and astrocytosis. Importantly, reduced expression of Shh and Gli1 was also observed in these mice, demonstrating diminished Shh signaling. Administration of Shh mimetic, smoothened agonist (SAG) restored BBB integrity and also abated the neuropathology in infected mice. Together, our results suggest a neuroprotective role for Shh signaling in the context of HIV infection, underscoring the therapeutic potential of SAG in controlling HAND pathogenesis.
A TonB-dependent receptor regulates antifungal HSAF biosynthesis in Lysobacter
Authors: Wang Ruping , Xu Huiyong , Du Liangcheng , Chou Shan-Ho , Liu Hongxia , Liu Youzhou , Liu Fengquan , Qian Guoliang
Published: May 2016

Lysobacter species are Gram-negative bacteria that are emerging as new sources of antibiotics, including HSAF (Heat Stable Antifungal Factor), which was identified from L. enzymogenes with a new mode of action. LesR, a LuxR solo, was recently shown to regulate the HSAF biosynthesis via an unidentified mechanism in L. enzymogenes OH11. Here, we used a comparative proteomic approach to identify the LesR targets and found that LesR influenced the expression of 33 proteins belonging to 10 functional groups, with 9 proteins belonging to the TBDR (TonB-Dependent Receptor) family. The fundamental role of bacterial TBDR in nutrient uptake motivates us to explore their potential regulation on HSAF biosynthesis which is also modulated by nutrient condition. Six out of 9 TBDR coding genes were individually in-frame deleted. Phenotypic and gene-expression assays showed that TBDR7, whose level was lower in a strain overexpressing lesR, was involved in regulating HSAF yield. TBDR7 was not involved in the growth, but played a vital role in transcribing the key HSAF biosynthetic gene. Taken together, the current lesR-based proteomic study provides the first report that TBDR7 plays a key role in regulating antibiotic (HSAF) biosynthesis, a function which has never been found for TBDRs in bacteria.
Fire carbon emissions over maritime southeast Asia in 2015 largest since 1997
Authors: Huijnen V. , Wooster M. J. , Kaiser J. W. , Gaveau D. L. A. , Flemming J. , Parrington M. , Inness A. , Murdiyarso D. , Main B. , van Weele M.
Published: May 2016

In September and October 2015 widespread forest and peatland fires burned over large parts of maritime southeast Asia, most notably Indonesia, releasing large amounts of terrestrially-stored carbon into the atmosphere, primarily in the form of CO2, CO and CH4. With a mean emission rate of 11.3 Tg CO2 per day during Sept-Oct 2015, emissions from these fires exceeded the fossil fuel CO2 release rate of the European Union (EU28) (8.9 Tg CO2 per day). Although seasonal fires are a frequent occurrence in the human modified landscapes found in Indonesia, the extent of the 2015 fires was greatly inflated by an extended drought period associated with a strong El Niño. We estimate carbon emissions from the 2015 fires to be the largest seen in maritime southeast Asia since those associated with the record breaking El Niño of 1997. Compared to that event, a much better constrained regional total carbon emission estimate can be made for the 2015 fires through the use of present-day satellite observations of the fire’s radiative power output and atmospheric CO concentrations, processed using the modelling and assimilation framework of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and combined with unique in situ smoke measurements made on Kalimantan.
Differential effects of Cytomegalovirus carriage on the immune phenotype of middle-aged males and females
Authors: van der Heiden Marieke , van Zelm Menno C. , Bartol Sophinus J. W. , de Rond Lia G. H. , Berbers Guy A. M. , Boots Annemieke M. H. , Buisman Anne-Marie
Published: May 2016

The elderly population is more susceptible to infections as a result of an altered immune response, commonly referred to as immunosenescence. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infection associated changes in blood lymphocytes are known to impact this process, but the interaction with gender remains unclear. Therefore, we analysed the effects and interaction of gender and CMV on the absolute numbers of a comprehensive set of naive and memory T- and B-cell subsets in people between 50 and 65 years of age. Enumeration and characterisation of lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry was performed on fresh whole blood samples from 255 middle-aged persons. CMV-IgG serostatus was determined by ELISA. Gender was a major factor affecting immune cell numbers. CMV infection was mainly associated with an expansion of late-differentiated T-cell subsets. CMV+ males carried lower numbers of total CD4+, CD4+ central memory (CM) and follicular helper T-cells than females and CMV− males. Moreover, CMV+ males had significantly lower numbers of regulatory T (Treg)-cells and memory B-cells than CMV+ females. We here demonstrate an interaction between the effects of CMV infection and gender on T- and B-cells in middle-aged individuals. These differential effects on adaptive immunity between males and females may have implications for vaccination strategies at middle-age.
Self-Assembly of Hydrofluorinated Janus Graphene Monolayer: A Versatile Route for Designing Novel Janus Nanoscrolls
Authors: Jin Yakang , Xue Qingzhong , Zhu Lei , Li Xiaofang , Pan Xinglong , Zhang Jianqiang , Xing Wei , Wu Tiantian , Liu Zilong
Published: May 2016

With remarkably interesting surface activities, two-dimensional Janus materials arouse intensive interests recently in many fields. We demonstrate by molecular dynamic simulations that hydrofluorinated Janus graphene (J-GN) can self-assemble into Janus nanoscroll (J-NS) at room temperature. The van der Waals (vdW) interaction and the coupling of C-H/π/C-F interaction and π/π interaction are proven to offer the continuous driving force of self-assembly of J-GN. The results show that J-GN can self-assemble into various J-NSs structures, including arcs, multi-wall J-NS and arm-chair-like J-NS by manipulating its original geometry (size and aspect ratio). Moreover, we also investigated self-assembly of hydrofluorinated J-GN and Fe nanowires (NWs), suggesting that Fe NW is a good alternative to activate J-GN to form J-NS. Differently, the strong vdW interaction between J-GN and Fe NW provides the main driving force of the self-assembly. Finally, we studied the hydrogen sorption over the formed J-NS with a considerable interlayer spacing, which reaches the US DOE target, indicating that J-NS is a promising candidate for hydrogen storage by controlling the temperature of system. Our theoretical results firstly provide a versatile route for designing novel J-NS from 2D Janus nanomaterials, which has a great potential application in the realm of hydrogen storage/separation.
Correction: Corrigendum: Matrix metalloproteinase 11 protects from diabesity and promotes metabolic switch
Authors: Dali-Youcef Nassim , Hnia Karim , Blaise Sébastien , Messaddeq Nadia , Blanc Stéphane , Postic Catherine , Valet Philippe , Tomasetto Catherine , Rio Marie-Christine
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 25140; published online: 29 April 2016; updated: 31 May 2016 In the PDF version of this Article, there is a typographical error in the Discussion section, “Human type 2 diabetes patients exhibited increased plasma levels of TIMP1 and TIMP237.” should read: “Human type 2 diabetes patients exhibited increased plasma levels of TIMP1 and TIMP235.
Correction: Corrigendum: Glucagon-like peptide-1 prevents methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis of beta cells through improving mitochondrial function and suppressing prolonged AMPK activation
Authors: Chang Tien-Jyun , Tseng Hsing-Chi , Liu Meng-Wei , Chang Yi-Cheng , Hsieh Meng-Lun , Chuang Lee-Ming
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 23403; published online: 21 March 2016; updated: 31 May 2016 In this Article, Figure 5E and 5F were omitted. The Figure legends are correct. The correct Figure 5 appears below as Figure 1.
Analysis of tigecycline resistance development in clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates through a combined genomic and transcriptomic approach
Authors: Liu Lin , Cui Yujun , Zheng Beiwen , Jiang Saiping , Yu Wei , Shen Ping , Ji Jinru , Li Lanjuan , Qin Nan , Xiao Yonghong
Published: May 2016

Tigecycline (Tgc) is considered a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of multi-drug resistant bacteria. To study Tgc resistance development in the important nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, we adopted six clinical isolates from three patients undergoing antibiotic treatment, and bacterial genomic sequences and seven strand-specific transcriptomes were studied. Interestingly, the Tgc-intermediate 2015ZJAB1 only differed from Tgc-resistant 2015ZJAB2 in an SNP-clustered region including OprD, a sugar-type MFS permease, and a LuxR-type transcriptional regulator. Surprisingly, an almost identical region was found in 2015ZJAB3, which supports the possibility of a homologous recombination event that increased Tgc resistance. Furthermore, comparative transcriptomic analysis identified significantly regulated genes associated with Tgc resistance, which was verified using qRT-PCR. Three enriched COG categories included amino acid transport and metabolism, transcription, and inorganic ion transport and metabolism. KEGG analysis revealed common features under Tgc conditions, including up regulated benzoate degradation and a less active TCA cycle. This may be related to selective antimicrobial pressure in the environment and adaptation by lowering metabolism. This study provides the first report of an in vivo evolutionary process that included a putative homologous recombination event conferring Tgc resistance in clinical A. baumannii isolates in which transcriptome analysis revealed resistance-conferring genes and related metabolism characteristics.
Dissolved Organic Carbon in the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Fontela Marcos , García-Ibáñez Maribel I. , Hansell Dennis A. , Mercier Herlé , Pérez Fiz F.
Published: May 2016

The quantitative role of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export is evaluated by combining DOC measurements with observed water mass transports. In the eastern subpolar North Atlantic, both upper and lower limbs of the AMOC transport high-DOC waters. Deep water formation that connects the two limbs of the AMOC results in a high downward export of non-refractory DOC (197 Tg-C·yr−1). Subsequent remineralization in the lower limb of the AMOC, between subpolar and subtropical latitudes, consumes 72% of the DOC exported by the whole Atlantic Ocean. The contribution of DOC to the carbon sequestration in the North Atlantic Ocean (62 Tg-C·yr−1) is considerable and represents almost a third of the atmospheric CO2 uptake in the region.
Variation in serum biomarkers with sex and female hormonal status: implications for clinical tests
Authors: Ramsey Jordan M. , Cooper Jason D. , Penninx Brenda W. J. H. , Bahn Sabine
Published: May 2016

Few serum biomarker tests are implemented in clinical practice and recent reports raise concerns about poor reproducibility of biomarker studies. Here, we investigated the potential role of sex and female hormonal status in this widespread irreproducibility. We examined 171 serum proteins and small molecules measured in 1,676 participants from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. Concentrations of 96 molecules varied with sex and 66 molecules varied between oral contraceptive pill users, postmenopausal females and females in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle (FDR-adjustedp-value <0.05). Simulations of biomarker studies yielded up to 40% false discoveries when patient and control groups were not matched for sex and up to 41% false discoveries when premenopausal females were not matched for oral contraceptive pill use. High accuracy (over 90%) classification tools were developed to label samples with sex and female hormonal status where this information was not collected.
Exact results for Schrödinger cats in driven-dissipative systems and their feedback control
Authors: Minganti Fabrizio , Bartolo Nicola , Lolli Jared , Casteels Wim , Ciuti Cristiano
Published: May 2016

In quantum optics, photonic Schrödinger cats are superpositions of two coherent states with opposite phases and with a significant number of photons. Recently, these states have been observed in the transient dynamics of driven-dissipative resonators subject to engineered two-photon processes. Here we present an exact analytical solution of the steady-state density matrix for this class of systems, including one-photon losses, which are considered detrimental for the achievement of cat states. We demonstrate that the unique steady state is a statistical mixture of two cat-like states with opposite parity, in spite of significant one-photon losses. The transient dynamics to the steady state depends dramatically on the initial state and can pass through a metastable regime lasting orders of magnitudes longer than the photon lifetime. By considering individual quantum trajectories in photon-counting configuration, we find that the system intermittently jumps between two cats. Finally, we propose and study a feedback protocol based on this behaviour to generate a pure cat-like steady state.
Encoding, training and retrieval in ferroelectric tunnel junctions
Authors: Xu Hanni , Xia Yidong , Xu Bo , Yin Jiang , Yuan Guoliang , Liu Zhiguo
Published: May 2016

Ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) are quantum nanostructures that have great potential in the hardware basis for future neuromorphic applications. Among recently proposed possibilities, the artificial cognition has high hopes, where encoding, training, memory solidification and retrieval constitute a whole chain that is inseparable. However, it is yet envisioned but experimentally unconfirmed. The poor retention or short-term store of tunneling electroresistance, in particular the intermediate states, is still a key challenge in FTJs. Here we report the encoding, training and retrieval in BaTiO3 FTJs, emulating the key features of information processing in terms of cognitive neuroscience. This is implemented and exemplified through processing characters. Using training inputs that are validated by the evolution of both barrier profile and domain configuration, accurate recalling of encoded characters in the retrieval stage is demonstrated.
Proteasome activity is required for the initiation of precancerous pancreatic lesions
Authors: Furuyama Takaki , Tanaka Shinji , Shimada Shu , Akiyama Yoshimitsu , Matsumura Satoshi , Mitsunori Yusuke , Aihara Arihiro , Ban Daisuke , Ochiai Takanori , Kudo Atsushi , Fukamachi Hiroshi , Arii Shigeki , Kawaguchi Yoshiya , Tanabe Minoru
Published: May 2016

Proteasome activity is significantly increased in advanced cancers, but its role in cancer initiation is not clear, due to difficulties in monitoring this process in vivo. We established a line of transgenic mice that carried the ZsGreen-degronODC (Gdeg) proteasome reporter to monitor the proteasome activity. In combination with Pdx-1-Cre;LSL-KrasG12D model, proteasome activity was investigated in the initiation of precancerous pancreatic lesions (PanINs). Normal pancreatic acini in Gdeg mice had low proteasome activity. By contrast, proteasome activity was increased in the PanIN lesions that developed in Gdeg;Pdx-1-Cre;LSL-KrasG12D mice. Caerulein administration to Gdeg;Pdx-1-Cre;LSL-KrasG12D mice induced constitutive elevation of proteasome activity in pancreatic tissues and accelerated PanIN formation. The proteasome inhibitor markedly reduced PanIN formation in Gdeg;Pdx-1-Cre;LSL-KrasG12D mice (P = 0.001), whereas it had no effect on PanIN lesions that had already formed. These observations indicated the significance of proteasome activity in the initiation of PanIN but not the maintenance per se. In addition, the expressions of pERK and its downstream factors including cyclin D1, NF-κB, and Cox2 were decreased after proteasome inhibition in PanINs. Our studies showed activation of proteasome is required specifically for the initiation of PanIN. The roles of proteasome in the early stages of pancreatic carcinogenesis warrant further investigation.
Rapid formation and evolution of an extreme haze episode in Northern China during winter 2015
Authors: Sun Yele , Chen Chen , Zhang Yingjie , Xu Weiqi , Zhou Libo , Cheng Xueling , Zheng Haitao , Ji Dongsheng , Li Jie , Tang Xiao , Fu Pingqing , Wang Zifa
Published: May 2016

We investigate the rapid formation and evolutionary mechanisms of an extremely severe and persistent haze episode that occurred in northern China during winter 2015 using comprehensive ground and vertical measurements, along with receptor and dispersion model analysis. Our results indicate that the life cycle of a severe winter haze episode typically consists of four stages: (1) rapid formation initiated by sudden changes in meteorological parameters and synchronous increases in most aerosol species, (2) persistent evolution with relatively constant variations in secondary inorganic aerosols and secondary organic aerosols, (3) further evolution associated with fog processing and significantly enhanced sulfate levels and (4) clearing due to dry, cold north-northwesterly winds. Aerosol composition showed substantial changes during the formation and evolution of the haze episode but was generally dominated by regional secondary aerosols (53–67%). Our results demonstrate the important role of regional transport, largely from the southwest but also from the east and of coal combustion emissions for winter haze formation in Beijing. Also, we observed an important downward mixing pathway during the severe haze in 2015 that can lead to rapid increases in certain aerosol species.
A pilot study on commonality and specificity of copy number variants in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Chen J , Calhoun V D , Perrone-Bizzozero N I , Pearlson G D , Sui J , Du Y , Liu J
Published: May 2016

Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are known to share genetic risks. In this work, we conducted whole-genome scanning to identify cross-disorder and disorder-specific copy number variants (CNVs) for these two disorders. The Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) data were used for discovery, deriving from 2416 SZ patients, 592 BD patients and 2393 controls of European Ancestry, as well as 998 SZ patients, 121 BD patients and 822 controls of African Ancestry. PennCNV and Birdsuite detected high-confidence CNVs that were aggregated into CNV regions (CNVRs) and compared with the database of genomic variants for confirmation. Then, large (size⩾500 kb) and small common CNVRs (size <500 kb, frequency⩾1%) were examined for their associations with SZ and BD. Particularly for the European Ancestry samples, the dbGaP findings were further evaluated in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) data set for replication. Previously implicated variants (1q21.1, 15q13.3, 16p11.2 and 22q11.21) were replicated. Some cross-disorder variants were noted to differentially affect SZ and BD, including CNVRs in chromosomal regions encoding immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors that were associated more with SZ, and the 10q11.21 small CNVR (GPRIN2) associated more with BD. Disorder-specific CNVRs were also found. The 22q11.21 CNVR (COMT) and small CNVRs in 11p15.4 (TRIM5) and 15q13.2 (ARHGAP11B and FAN1) appeared to be SZ-specific. CNVRs in 17q21.2, 9p21.3 and 9q21.13 might be BD-specific. Overall, our primary findings in individual disorders largely echo previous reports. In addition, the comparison between SZ and BD reveals both specific and common risk CNVs. Particularly for the latter, differential involvement is noted, motivating further comparative studies and quantitative models.