bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green-emitting fluorescence Ag clusters: facile synthesis and sensors for Hg2+ detection
Authors: Zhang Chang , Guo Zhi , Chen Guiqiu , Zeng Guangming , Yan Ming , Niu Qiuya , Liu Lingzhi , Zuo Yanan , Huang Zhenzhen , Tan Qiong
Published: November 2015

Bovine serum albumin directed synthesis of Ag clusters for Hg2+ detection.
Photon upconversion in degenerately sulfur doped InP nanowires
Authors: Mergenthaler K. , Lehmann S. , Wallentin J. , Zhang W. , Borgström M. T. , Yartsev A. , Pistol M.-E.
Published: November 2015

Radiative recombination in degenerately n-doped InP nanowires is studied for excitation above and below the Fermi energy of the electron gas, using photoluminescence.
Carboxyl-functionalized polyurethane nanoparticles with immunosuppressive properties as a new type of anti-inflammatory platform
Authors: Huang Yen-Jang , Hung Kun-Che , Hsieh Fu-Yu , Hsu Shan-hui
Published: November 2015

The novel biodegradable polyurethane nanoparticles display COO− dependent immunosuppressive properties via an autophagy pathway.
The interaction of Mozobil™with carboxylates
Authors: Amendola Valeria , Bergamaschi Greta , Fabbrizzi Luigi , Licchelli Maurizio , Mangano Carlo
Published: November 2015

Mozobil™interacts with linear dicarboxylates as a pentammonium cation, providing a model for binding to CXCR4 coreceptor.
Enantioselective organocatalytic oxidation of ketimine
Authors: Takizawa Shinobu , Kishi Kenta , Abozeid Mohamed Ahmed , Murai Kenichi , Fujioka Hiromichi , Sasai Hiroaki
Published: November 2015

with promoted the enantioselective organocatalytic oxidation of to afford oxaziridines bearing a tetrasubstituted carbon stereogenic center in high yields with up to 87% ee.
A novel and facile strategy to inhibit corrosion: thiol-click synthesis of polythiols and their skinning on a metal surface to form super thick protective films
Authors: Gu Lingxiao , Xue Qingquan , Peng Shusen , Wang Gang , Han Jin , Wu Xuedong
Published: November 2015

Polythiols were preparedviathiol-click chemistry and employed to form super thick films to inhibit corrosion.
Chemical analysis of primary combustion products of boron-based fuel-rich propellants
Authors: Liu Lin-Lin , He Guo-Qiang , Wang Ying-Hong , Hu Song-Qi
Published: November 2015

The content of solid primary products of boron-based fuel-rich propellants could be determined quantitatively through the analysis procedure.
Role of inorganic ions and dissolved natural organic matters on persulfate oxidation of acid orange 7 with zero-valent iron
Authors: Li Huanxuan , Wan Jinquan , Ma Yongwen , Wang Yan , Guan Zeyu
Published: November 2015

The impacts of common anions and organic matter, initial pH and PS dosage on the oxidation of acid orange 7 (AO7) by persulfate (PS) activated with zero-valent iron (ZVI) were investigated.
Retrieval of CO2 from a carbonate solution for its sequestration by a novel electrochemical decarbonizing and ingathering method
Authors: Yang Yang , Tian Yun , Wu Zucheng
Published: November 2015

Under an electrical force the migration rate of carbonate ions in a low residence resin chamber was accelerated and CO2 gas was released through an acidic chamber.
Rational modifications on ruthenium terpyridine sensitizers with large Jsc for dye-sensitized solar cells: combined DFT and relativistic TDDFT studies
Authors: Du Wei , Li Hai-Bin , Gu Dong-Mei , Wu Yong , Sun Guang-Yan , Geng Yun , Su Zhong-Min
Published: November 2015

A series of ruthenium sensitizers DX2–DX5 derived from a phosphine-coordinated ruthenium sensitizer DX1 for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were designed and calculated based on density functional theory (DFT) and relativistic time-dependent DFT calculations.
Sorption and photodegradation of tylosin and sulfamethazine by humic acid-coated goethite
Authors: Guo Xuetao , Zhang Jing , Ge Jianhua , Yang Chen , Dang Zhi , Liu Shaomin , Gao Liangmin
Published: November 2015

Humic acid and mineral oxides are simultaneously present in soils and can form organomineral complexes.
MgBr2-promoted enantioselective aryl addition of ArTi(OiPr)3 to ketones catalyzed by a titanium(iv) catalyst of N,N′-sulfonylated (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine
Authors: Shu Chao-Chi , Zhou Shuangliu , Gau Han-Mou
Published: November 2015

MgBr2-promoted asymmetric addition of ArTi(OiPr)3 to ketones catalyzed by a titanium catalyst of N,N′-sulfonylated (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamines to afford desired tertiary alcohols in good to excellent enantioselectivities of up to 95% ee.
Effect of heavy-ion on frequency selectivity of semiconducting polymer/electrolyte heterojunction
Authors: Dong W. S. , Zeng F. , Lu S. H. , Li X. J. , Chang C. T. , Liu A. , Pan F. , Guo D.
Published: November 2015

Long-term bidirectional frequency selectivity has been achieved in MEH-PPV/PEO–Nd3+cells, which suggests spike-rate-dependent plasticity learning protocol. It depends on pulse shape due to variation of ionic type.
The disparate impact of two types of GMI effect definition on DC Joule-heating annealed Co-based microwires
Authors: Jiang Si-Da , Xing Da-Wei , Fei Wei-Dong , Liu Jing-Shun , Shen Hong-Xian , Fang Wen-Bin , Sun Jian-Fei
Published: November 2015

Based on a study of the effect of progressive DC Joule-heating annealing on GMI properties of melt-extracted amorphous microwires, we systematically analysed the different mechanisms for two types of GMI effect definition.
A highly connected (5,5,18)-c trinodal MOF with a 3D diamondoid inorganic connectivity: tunable luminescence and white-light emission
Authors: Zhou Zhongyuan , Li Qipeng , Han Yunhu , Xing Xiushuang , Du Shaowu
Published: November 2015

A highly connected (5,5,18)-c trinodal MOF featuring a 3D diamondoid inorganic connectivity was synthesized. Tunable color and white light emission can be achieved by inclusion of Eu3+ into the framework.
Pyridoxal derivative functionalized gold nanoparticles for colorimetric determination of zinc(ii) and aluminium(iii)
Authors: Bothra Shilpa , Kumar Rajender , Sahoo Suban K.
Published: November 2015

This investigation presents the synthesis of a thiol derivativeLby one step condensation of pyridoxal with 4-aminothiophenol, and its functionalization on citrate capped AuNPs.
BSA blocking in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays is a non-mandatory step: a perspective study on mechanism of BSA blocking in common ELISA protocols
Authors: Ahirwar Rajesh , Bariar Shilpi , Balakrishnan Abitha , Nahar Pradip
Published: November 2015

Interestingly, in majority of cases, the BSA-blocking and non BSA-blocking procedures produces similar ELISA outcomes.
Novel isatin derivatives of podophyllotoxin: synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation against human leukaemia cancer cells as potent anti-MDR agents
Authors: Zhang Lei , Chen Fan , Wang Jing , Chen Yongzheng , Zhang Zeguo , Lin Ya , Zhu Xinling
Published: November 2015

Compound8cexhibited cytotoxicity at nanomolar range; induced G2/M cell cycle arrest accompanied by apoptosis and down-regulated the levels of Pgp, MRP-1 and GST-π.
Co-delivery of nitric oxide and antibiotic using polymeric nanoparticles
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Khanh , Selvanayagam Ramona , Ho Kitty K. K. , Chen Renxun , Kutty Samuel K. , Rice Scott A. , Kumar Naresh , Barraud Nicolas , Duong Hien T. T. , Boyer Cyrille
Published: November 2015

The rise of hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, is a growing concern in intensive healthcare, causing the death of hundreds of thousands of patients and costing billions of dollars worldwide every year.
Excess vibrational density of states and the brittle to ductile transition in crystalline and amorphous solids
Authors: Babu Jeetu S. , Mondal Chandana , Sengupta Surajit , Karmakar Smarajit
Published: November 2015

The conditions which determine whether a material behaves in a brittle or ductile fashion on mechanical loading are still elusive and comprise a topic of active research among materials physicists and engineers.
Directly deposited MoS2thin film electrodes for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Choudhary Nitin , Patel Mumukshu , Ho Yee-Hsien , Dahotre Narendra B. , Lee Wonki , Hwang Jun Yeon , Choi Wonbong
Published: November 2015

We demonstrate the direct deposition of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2thin film on Cu-foil and polymer substrates, exhibiting an excellent capacitance and outstanding cyclic stability. The MoS2based supercapacitors will enable new opportunities in flexible electronics and energy devices.
Active-targeted pH-responsive albumin–photosensitizer conjugate nanoparticles as theranostic agents
Authors: Battogtokh Gantumur , Ko Young Tag
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to develop an active-targeted, pH-responsive albumin–photosensitizer conjugate as a theranostic agent.
Modulating the electrical conductivity of metal–organic framework films with intercalated guest π-systems
Authors: Guo Zhiyong , Panda Dillip K. , Maity Krishnendu , Lindsey David , Parker T. Gannon , Albrecht-Schmitt Thomas E. , Barreda-Esparza Jorge L. , Xiong Peng , Zhou Wei , Saha Sourav
Published: November 2015

The formation of guest-mediated π-donor/acceptor stacks within electroactive metal–organic frameworks activates long-range charge mobilization, boosting the electrical conductivity of the doped materials.
CVD synthesis of carbon spheres using NiFe-LDHs as catalytic precursors: structural, electrochemical and magnetoresistive properties
Authors: Carrasco Jose A. , Prima-Garcia Helena , Romero Jorge , Hernández-Saz Jesús , Molina Sergio I. , Abellán Gonzalo , Coronado Eugenio
Published: November 2015

Herein we report the gram-scale synthesis of graphitic carbon spheres with solid inner cores, which exhibit supercapacitive properties and magnetoresistance.
Acute exposure of ozone induced pulmonary injury and the protective role of vitamin E through the Nrf2 pathway in Balb/c mice
Authors: Zhu Yuqing , Li Jinquan , Wu Zhuo , Lu Yu , You Huihui , Li Rui , Li Baizhan , Yang Xu , Duan Liju
Published: November 2015

Ozone (O3) in the lower atmosphere is generally derived from various sources of human activity. It has become a major air pollutant in China and has been shown to adversely affect the health of humans and animals. We undertook a study to ascertain the molecular mechanism of ozone induced lung injury in mice and tried to demonstrate the protective mechanism of vitamin E. In this study, mice were exposed to clean air and three different concentrations of ozone. Oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde) and Th cytokines in the lung, serum IgE, as well as histopathological examination and the airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) test were used to reflect inflammation and damage to the lungs of ozone-exposed mice. We then chose an effective concentration of ozone and combined treatment with vitamin E (VE) to explore the underlying mechanism of ozone-induced lung damage. The results of immunological and inflammatory biomarkers (total-immunoglobulin (Ig) E and Th cytokines) as well as histopathological examination and AHR assessment supported the notion that high doses of ozone (>0.5 ppm) could induce inflammation and lung injury in mice and that this induction was counteracted by concurrent administration of VE. The elimination of oxidative stress, the reduced Th2 responses and Ig production, and the relief of lung damage were proposed to explain the molecular mechanism of ozone induced lung injury. We also showed that VE, an antioxidant that enhanced the expression of Nrf2 and up-regulated the antioxidant genes HO-1 and NQO1, could decrease the levels of oxidative stress and alleviate ozone-induced lung injury.
TRPC3 amplifies B-cell receptor-induced ERK signalling via protein kinase D-dependent Rap1 activation
Authors: Numaga-Tomita Takuro , Nishida Motohiro , Putney James W. , Mori Yasuo
Published: November 2015

Sustained activation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has an important role in the decision regarding the cell fate of B-lymphocytes. Recently, we demonstrated that the diacylglycerol-activated non-selective cation channel canonical transient receptor potential 3 (TRPC3) is required for the sustained ERK activation induced by the B-cell receptor. However, the signalling mechanism underlying TRPC3-mediated ERK activation remains elusive. In the present study, we have shown that TRPC3 mediates Ca2+ influx to sustain activation of protein kinase D (PKD) in a protein kinase C-dependent manner in DT40 B-lymphocytes. The later phase of ERK activation depends on the small G-protein Rap1, known as a downstream target of PKD, whereas the earlier phase of ERK activation depends on the Ras protein. It is of interest that sustained ERK phosphorylation is required for the full induction of the immediate early gene Egr-1 (early growth response 1). These results suggest that TRPC3 reorganizes the BCR signalling complex by switching the subtype of small G-proteins to sustain ERK activation in B-lymphocytes.
Two‐dimensional DOA estimation algorithm with co‐prime array via sparse representation
Authors: Cheng Zengfei , Zhao Yongbo , Li Hui , Shui Penglang
Published: November 2015

A two‐dimensional (2D) direction‐of‐arrival estimation algorithm is proposed with the co‐prime array based on the sparse representation framework. By constructing a cross‐correlation matrix of the received signals, the array aperture is extended and the 2D angle information is separated into two independent parts. Then, a procedure of sparse signal representation and least square are used to estimate and pair the 2D angles successively and automatically. Without the prior knowledge of the signal number, the proposed algorithm provides more precise angle estimation. Simulation experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Cascaded split‐level colour Haar‐like features for object detection
Authors: Liu Chunsheng , Chang Faliang , Liu Chengyun
Published: November 2015

Rectangular features have been widely used in different cascade‐based object detection areas. Previous rectangular features contain no relationship of different colour channels, which makes the previous rectangular features weak in expressing objects with colour contrast. To overcome this shortcoming, a series of rectangular features called split‐level colour Haar‐like (SC‐Haar‐like) features are proposed. There are different colour channels in the SC‐Haar‐like features, and the different colour channels have close relationship with each other based on the split‐level structure. The experiments on face detection show that the SC‐Haar‐like features outperform previous rectangular features in terms of detection rate and false alarm rate.
Low‐cost direct instantaneous torque control for switched reluctance motors with bus current detection under soft‐chopping mode
Authors: Gan Chun , Wu Jianhua , Sun Qingguo , Yang Shiyou , Hu Yihua , Jin Lebing
Published: November 2015

This study proposed a low‐cost torque distribution function (TSF)‐based direct instantaneous torque control (DITC) technique for switched reluctance motors (SRMs) by bus current detection under soft‐chopping mode. A three‐phase 12/8‐pole prototype SRM is employed to analyse the phase currents and operation states, and a new converter connection with bus current sensor placement strategy is presented to replace the phase current sensors in each phase leg. Considering that the conventional bus current contains both the chopping current and demagnetisation current, the current sensor is placed in a new bus to remove all the needless demagnetisation currents. To obtain the chopping current information from the bus current for DITC implementation, pulse‐width modulation signals with extremely short turn‐off time are injected into the lower transistors to insert the chopping current detection states for brief intervals during each fundamental frequency cycle. The DITC scheme is implemented directly on the detected chopping currents from bus current based on a sinusoidal TSF. The proposed DITC system is more compact and low cost by using just a bus current sensor. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is verified by the simulation and experimental results.
Dementia, Care and Time in Postwar Japan: The Twilight Years, Memories of Tomorrow and Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days
Authors: Sako Katsura , Falcus Sarah
Published: November 2015

As the number of people affected by dementia increases rapidly, dementia has been transformed into an epidemic which endangers global health and wealth, and many populations are now living in what Jain terms a time of prognosis, in fear of the disease. Through its strong association with ageing and memory loss, dementia is conceived of as a linear decline into loss of self and death, and those with dementia as other. More significantly, imagined as a threat that signifies both a loss of able-bodied workforce and a large population dependent on care and support, dementia inevitably feeds into the ‘crisis-of-care’ narrative that is prominent in many ageing societies. With one of the fastest ageing populations in the world, and an extremely low birth rate, the dementia prognosis is particularly acute in Japan and dementia is strongly linked to the idea of a ‘care crisis’. This situation has produced an increasing number of cultural representations of dementia and care and this paper considers three of these cultural texts, all rooted in the historical and cultural contexts in which they were produced: the novel The Twilight Years; the film Memories of Tomorrow; and the comic book Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days. The analysis concentrates upon their representations of care, seeing this as a space where the ethical relationship between self and other can be negotiated and where time with dementia can be imagined and re-imagined. The analysis of these texts from a feminist ethics perspective demonstrates the potential of popular and creative representations to interrogate and potentially expand the meanings of dementia, ageing and living in prognosis.
‘Grandpa Lives in Paradise Now’: Biological Precarity and the Global Economy of Debility
Authors: Kolářová Kateřina
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the relations and the tensions between debility and disability in global contexts defined by complex forms of bio-social precarity. My focus is Baan Kamlangchay, in Thailand, a care home providing care for older people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease from the global North. I treat Baan Kamlangchay as one concrete example of emerging circuits of transnational care/reproductive labour in order to investigate the interrelations between disability and wider global bio-political inequalities. Using the concept of ‘biolegitimacy’, I discuss the power dynamics in the relationships between the racialised and gendered care workers in the centre and (white) disabled residents. I argue that debility, understood as the flexible gradation of dis/ability and in/capacity, allows us to better understand these novel forms of embodied precarity and their political implications in global contexts.
Compact metamaterial-enclosed wireless sensors with subtle perception of internal physical events
Authors: Chen Pai-Yen , Huang Haiyu (Harry) , Hung Cheng-Hsien
Published: November 2015

We propose and theoretically investigate a metamaterial/metasurface-enclosed electrically small antenna (ESA), perfectly matched to the input stage of a radio-frequency circuitry. By tailoring the effective-medium properties of a low-profile metamaterial/metasurface cloak, the electromagnetic power can be maximally delivered to a 50 Ω load in a narrow frequency window, efficiently utilizing the available design volume. This ESA system, although having a small modal volume, is highly resonant, and its resonance frequency is sensitively shifted by material and volume perturbations within the cloaked region. We envision that this cloaked ESA system may make efficient and miniaturized wireless sensor nodes, probing internal information (e.g., liquid-level sensor) for various medical, environmental, and industrial applications.
Non-invasive electrocardiogram detection of in vivo zebrafish embryos using electric potential sensors
Authors: Rendon-Morales E. , Prance R. J. , Prance H. , Aviles-Espinosa R.
Published: November 2015

In this letter, we report the continuous detection of the cardiac electrical activity in embryonic zebrafish using a non-invasive approach. We present a portable and cost-effective platform based on the electric potential sensing technology, to monitor in vivo electrocardiogram activity from the zebrafish heart. This proof of principle demonstration shows how electrocardiogram measurements from the embryonic zebrafish may become accessible by using electric field detection. We present preliminary results using the prototype, which enables the acquisition of electrophysiological signals from in vivo 3 and 5 days-post-fertilization zebrafish embryos. The recorded waveforms show electrocardiogram traces including detailed features such as QRS complex, P and T waves.
Enhancement of the photo conversion efficiencies in Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 solar cells fabricated by two-step sulfurization process
Authors: Yang JungYup , Nam Junggyu , Kim Dongseop , Kim GeeYeong , Jo William , Kang Yoonmook , Lee Dongho
Published: November 2015

Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGSS) absorber layers were fabricated by using a modified two-stage sputter and a sequential selenization/sulfurization method, and the sulfurization process is changed from one-step to two-step. The two-step sulfurization was controlled with two different H2S gas concentrations during the sulfurization treatment. This two-step process yielded remarkable improvements in the efficiency (+0.7%), open circuit voltage (+14 mV), short circuit current (+0.23 mA/cm2), and fill factor (+0.21%) of a CIGSS device with 30 × 30 cm2 in size, owing to the good passivation at the grain boundary surface, uniform material composition among the grain boundaries, and modified depth profile of Ga and S. The deterioration of the P/N junction quality was prevented by the optimized S content in the CIGSS absorber layer. The effects of the passivation quality at the grain boundary surface, the material uniformity, the compositional depth profiles, the microstructure, and the electrical characteristics were examined by Kelvin probe force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and current-voltage curves, respectively. The two-step sulfurization process is experimentally found to be useful for obtaining good surface conditions and, enhancing the efficiency, for the mass production of large CIGSS modules.
Quantum capacitance of graphene in contact with metal
Authors: Chang Jin Hyun , Huzayyin Ahmed , Lian Keryn , Dawson Francis
Published: November 2015

We report a versatile computation method to quantitatively determine the quantum capacitance of graphene when it is in contact with metal. Our results bridge the longstanding gap between the theoretically predicted and experimentally measured quantum capacitance of graphene. Contrary to popular assumptions, the presence of charged impurities or structural distortions of graphene are not the only sources of the asymmetric capacitance with respect to the polarity of the bias potential and the higher-than-expected capacitance at the Dirac point. They also originate from the field-induced electronic interactions between graphene and metal. We also provide an improved model representation of a metal–graphene junction.
Graphene/CdTe heterostructure solar cell and its enhancement with photo-induced doping
Authors: Lin Shisheng , Li Xiaoqiang , Zhang Shengjiao , Wang Peng , Xu Zhijuan , Zhong Huikai , Wu Zhiqian , Chen Hongsheng
Published: November 2015

We report a type of solar cell based on graphene/CdTe Schottky heterostructure, which can be improved by surface engineering as graphene is atomic thin. By coating a layer of ultrathin CdSe quantum dots onto graphene/CdTe heterostructure, the power conversion efficiency is increased from 2.08% to 3.10%. Photo-induced doping is mainly accounted for this enhancement, as evidenced by field effect transport, Raman, photoluminescence, and quantum efficiency measurements. This work demonstrates a feasible way of improving the performance of graphene/semiconductor heterostructure solar cells by combining one dimensional with two dimensional materials.
Quantized impedance dealing with the damping behavior of the one-dimensional oscillator
Authors: Zhu Jinghao , Zhang Jing , Li Yuan , Zhang Yong , Fang Zhengji , Zhao Peide , Li Erping
Published: November 2015

A quantized impedance is proposed to theoretically establish the relationship between the atomic eigenfrequency and the intrinsic frequency of the one-dimensional oscillator in this paper. The classical oscillator is modified by the idea that the electron transition is treated as a charge-discharge process of a suggested capacitor with the capacitive energy equal to the energy level difference of the jumping electron. The quantized capacitance of the impedance interacting with the jumping electron can lead the resonant frequency of the oscillator to the same as the atomic eigenfrequency. The quantized resistance reflects that the damping coefficient of the oscillator is the mean collision frequency of the transition electron. In addition, the first and third order electric susceptibilities based on the oscillator are accordingly quantized. Our simulation of the hydrogen atom emission spectrum based on the proposed method agrees well with the experimental one. Our results exhibits that the one-dimensional oscillator with the quantized impedance may become useful in the estimations of the refractive index and one- or multi-photon absorption coefficients of some nonmagnetic media composed of hydrogen-like atoms.
Effect of indium low doping in ZnO based TFTs on electrical parameters and bias stress stability
Authors: Cheremisin Alexander B. , Kuznetsov Sergey N. , Stefanovich Genrikh B.
Published: November 2015

Some applications of thin film transistors (TFTs) need the bottom-gate architecture and unpassivated channel backside. We propose a simple routine to fabricate indium doped ZnO-based TFT with satisfactory characteristics and acceptable stability against a bias stress in ambient room air. To this end, a channel layer of 15 nm in thickness was deposited on cold substrate by DC reactive magnetron co-sputtering of metal Zn-In target. It is demonstrated that the increase of In concentration in ZnO matrix up to 5% leads to negative threshold voltage (VT) shift and an increase of field effect mobility (μ) and a decrease of subthreshold swing (SS). When dopant concentration reaches the upper level of 5% the best TFT parameters are achieved such as VT = 3.6 V, μ = 15.2 cm2/V s, SS = 0.5 V/dec. The TFTs operate in enhancement mode exhibiting high turn on/turn off current ratio more than 106. It is shown that the oxidative post-fabrication annealing at 250oC in pure oxygen and next ageing in dry air for several hours provide highly stable operational characteristics under negative and positive bias stresses despite open channel backside. A possible cause of this effect is discussed.
Targeting CD146 with a
64
Cu-labeled antibody enables in vivo immunoPET imaging of high-grade gliomas
Authors: Yang Yunan , Hernandez Reinier , Rao Jun , Yin Li , Qu Yazhuo , Wu Jinrong , England Christopher G. , Graves Stephen A. , Lewis Christina M. , Wang Pu , Meyerand Mary E. , Nickles Robert J. , Bian Xiu-wu , Cai Weibo
Published: November 2015

Significance

Unfortunately, current practices for diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma have failed to improve overall patient survival, which has galvanized the emergence of novel strategies based on targeting tumor-specific antigens. Herein, we show for the first time, to our knowledge, that CD146 is a promising target for noninvasive in vivo imaging and targeted therapy of glioblastoma. We developed a
64
Cu-radiolabeled anti-CD146 antibody (YY146) that allowed the sensitive and specific detection of subcutaneous and orthotopic brain tumors using positron emission tomography. Additionally, YY146 showed therapeutic effects on U87MG brain cancer cells and was able to preferentially stain human resected high-grade glioma tumors. These findings indicate the clinical relevance of our antibody and its potential role in patient diagnosis, stratification, and targeted therapy.
Central role for ferritin in the day/night regulation of iron homeostasis in marine phytoplankton
Authors: Botebol Hugo , Lesuisse Emmanuel , Šuták Robert , Six Christophe , Lozano Jean-Claude , Schatt Philippe , Vergé Valérie , Kirilovsky Amos , Morrissey Joe , Léger Thibaut , Camadro Jean-Michel , Gueneugues Audrey , Bowler Chris , Blain Stéphane , Bouget François-Yves
Published: November 2015

Significance

Phytoplankton transforms large amounts of inorganic to organic carbon, a critical step in the uptake of atmospheric CO
2
in the ocean. Although iron is essential for this process, its bioavailability is often low. Phytoplankton has evolved strategies to cope with low environmental iron concentrations. We discovered that the iron storage protein ferritin is strongly regulated by the day/night cycle in the coastal California upwelling region dominated by the picophytoplanktonic genus
Ostreococcus
. Using genetic approaches, we showed that ferritin is used for short-term recycling of iron over diurnal cycles rather than for long-term iron storage. This work revealing the importance of ferritin in diurnal and circadian regulations of iron homeostasis should have implications for understanding carbon uptake by the ocean.
Chemical dispersants can suppress the activity of natural oil-degrading microorganisms
Authors: Kleindienst Sara , Seidel Michael , Ziervogel Kai , Grim Sharon , Loftis Kathy , Harrison Sarah , Malkin Sairah Y. , Perkins Matthew J. , Field Jennifer , Sogin Mitchell L. , Dittmar Thorsten , Passow Uta , Medeiros Patricia M. , Joye Samantha B.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Oil spills are a significant source of hydrocarbon inputs into the ocean. In response to oil spills, chemical dispersants are applied to the oil-contaminated seawater to disperse surface slicks into smaller droplets that are presumed to be more bioavailable to microorganisms. We provide evidence that chemical dispersants applied to either deep water or surface water from the Gulf of Mexico did not stimulate oil biodegradation. Direct measurement of alkane and aromatic hydrocarbon oxidation rates revealed either suppression or no stimulation of oil biodegradation in the presence of dispersants. However, dispersants affected microbial community composition and enriched bacterial populations with the ability to use dispersant-derived compounds as growth substrates, while oil-alone amendments enriched for natural hydrocarbon degraders.
A systematic study of modulation of ADAM-mediated ectodomain shedding by site-specific O-glycosylation
Authors: Goth Christoffer K. , Halim Adnan , Khetarpal Sumeet A. , Rader Daniel J. , Clausen Henrik , Schjoldager Katrine T.-B. G.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Ectodomain shedding is a central event in a range of biological processes and pathways, however the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here we present evidence that site-specific O-glycosylation regulated by individual GalNAc-Transferase isoforms, serve to coregulate ectodomain shedding, predominantly through blocking of cleavage. Our general finding is exemplified by the specific role of a single GalNAc-T isoform (GalNAc-T2) in coregulating TNF-alpha release in vitro, ex vivo in isogenic cell models, and in vivo in mouse
Galnt2
knockouts. Adding the large family of GalNAc-T isoforms to regulation of ectodomain shedding substantially increase the ability to fine-tune this important process on a substrate level.
Amphetamine activates Rho GTPase signaling to mediate dopamine transporter internalization and acute behavioral effects of amphetamine
Authors: Wheeler David S. , Underhill Suzanne M. , Stolz Donna B. , Murdoch Geoffrey H. , Thiels Edda , Romero Guillermo , Amara Susan G.
Published: November 2015

Significance

The dopamine transporter (DAT), a major target for psychostimulant drugs, including cocaine and amphetamines, clears extracellular dopamine and restricts the temporal and spatial extent of neurotransmitter signaling. This study examines the mechanism through which amphetamines trigger internalization of DAT and demonstrates that amphetamine activates the small GTPases, Rho and Rac. Rho activation triggers endocytosis of DAT by a dynamin-dependent, clathrin-independent pathway. Intriguingly, amphetamine must enter the cell to have these effects, and it also increases cAMP, which in turn inactivates Rho and limits carrier internalization. Consistent with these observations, the activation of receptors that couple to protein kinase A in dopamine neurons also antagonizes the behavioral effects of amphetamine in mice, suggesting new pathways to target to disrupt amphetamine action.
Anti-VEGF treatment improves neurological function and augments radiation response in NF2 schwannoma model
Authors: Gao Xing , Zhao Yingchao , Stemmer-Rachamimov Anat O. , Liu Hao , Huang Peigen , Chin ShanMin , Selig Martin K. , Plotkin Scott R. , Jain Rakesh K. , Xu Lei
Published: November 2015

Significance

In patients with progressive vestibular schwannoma (VS), radiotherapy is associated with risk of debilitating hearing loss. There is an urgent need to identify an adjunct therapy that, by enhancing the efficacy of radiation, can help lower the radiation dose and improve hearing preservation. Bevacizumab improved hearing in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients; however, its effect is not durable and its mechanism of action on nerve function is unknown. Our study provides (
i
) insight into how anti-VEGF treatment improves neurological function, and (
ii
) critical data that combined anti-VEGF treatment can enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy and help lower its dose. Our findings support clinical evaluation of combined anti-VEGF and radiation therapy in patients with VS.
Intrinsic excitability measures track antiepileptic drug action and uncover increasing/decreasing excitability over the wake/sleep cycle
Authors: Meisel Christian , Schulze-Bonhage Andreas , Freestone Dean , Cook Mark James , Achermann Peter , Plenz Dietmar
Published: November 2015

Significance

Dynamic changes of cortical excitability are relevant in both healthy and pathological network dynamics. In epilepsy, pathological changes in excitability commonly underlie the initiation and spread of seizures. Accordingly, the ability to monitor excitability and control its degree is important for adequate clinical care and treatment because classic EEG markers found in epilepsy such as interictal spikes do not reflect seizure propensity and thus excitability. Here, we identify excitability markers and test them on long-term electrocorticogram and EEG recordings. We show that they correlate with more direct excitability measures using external stimulation and allow for real-time excitability monitoring. Our results provide evidence that excitability of cortical networks is reduced by antiepileptic drugs and increases as a function of time awake.
A 3′ untranslated region variant in
FMR1
eliminates neuronal activity-dependent translation of FMRP by disrupting binding of the RNA-binding protein HuR
Authors: Suhl Joshua A. , Muddashetty Ravi S. , Anderson Bart R. , Ifrim Marius F. , Visootsak Jeannie , Bassell Gary J. , Warren Stephen T.
Published: November 2015

Significance

The fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is most highly expressed in neurons, and is critical for proper synaptic functioning. Fragile X syndrome, a common cause of intellectual disability, is the result of absent or dysfunctional FMRP, highlighting its importance to the processes underlying learning and memory. A rapid upregulation of FMRP synthesis at the synapse in response to specific neuronal signals is a key step in maintaining a dynamic synapse, although the mechanisms governing this up-regulation are not well-understood. We show that a variant in the 3′UTR of fragile X mental retardation 1 (
FMR1
) causes the loss of this characteristic increase in synaptic FMRP synthesis, which may lead to developmental delay in patients. These data identify several mechanisms and molecules modulating activity-dependent translation of FMRP.
Human emotions track changes in the acoustic environment
Authors: Ma Weiyi , Thompson William Forde
Published: November 2015

Significance

Emotions function to optimize adaptive responses to biologically significant events. In the auditory channel, humans are highly attuned to emotional signals in speech and music that arise from shifts in the frequency spectrum, intensity, and rate of acoustic information. We found that changes in acoustic attributes that evoke emotional responses in speech and music also trigger emotions when perceived in environmental sounds, including sounds arising from human actions, animal calls, machinery, or natural phenomena, such as wind and rain. The findings align with Darwin’s hypothesis that speech and music originated from a common emotional signal system based on the imitation and modification of sounds in the environment.
Unmyelinated type II afferent neurons report cochlear damage
Authors: Liu Chang , Glowatzki Elisabeth , Fuchs Paul Albert
Published: November 2015

Significance

Painfully loud sound causes protective or withdrawal responses, rather than continued listening. This differential behavior invites comparison with somatic pain responses driven by the anatomically distinct subset of small-diameter, unmyelinated afferents—C fibers. Like somatic C fibers, unmyelinated type II cochlear afferents differ in size, number, and innervation pattern from type I afferents that encode sound. Here, we show that type II afferents are excited during cochlear tissue damage in part by the algogenic cytoplasmic metabolite adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This finding, together with previous evidence that type II afferents respond weakly to synaptic transmission from cochlear hair cells, and normally are insensitive to sound, supports the identification of type II afferents as cochlear nociceptors, mediating the sensation of painfully loud sound.
FOXO regulates RNA interference in
Drosophila
and protects from RNA virus infection
Authors: Spellberg Michael J. , Marr Michael T.
Published: November 2015

Significance

A major conclusion of this work is that the effectiveness RNA interference, previously thought to be a constant, is coupled to cellular and organismal physiology through the forkhead box O (FOXO) pathway. The FOXO transcription factors respond to metabolic changes in the cell and are a central node for multiple stress responses, viral immunity, and lifespan, all topics of broad interest. In addition, these factors have a profound influence on aging and lifespan. Much effort is being spent to identify downstream targets of FOXO that allow the extension of lifespan and slowing of aging. Directly connecting FOXO with small RNA pathways and innate viral immunity provides a previously unidentified bridge between metabolism and fitness.
Deformation and failure of curved colloidal crystal shells
Authors: Negri Carlotta , Sellerio Alessandro L. , Zapperi Stefano , Miguel M. Carmen
Published: November 2015

Significance

Substantial experimental and theoretical work has been devoted to understand the equilibrium properties of curved crystals, but these crystals’ stability under mechanical forces remains largely unexplored and unknown. Understanding how curved crystals can adapt their shape and resist failure is of fundamental importance because these structures are at the forefront in the drive to fabricate new functionalized self-assembled materials. Here, we address these questions by numerical simulations of the deformation of colloidal crystalline shells. Our results highlight the fundamental role played by geometrically necessary crystal defects in controlling mechanical stability and plastic rearrangements of the shell.
Stock Differences in Growth, Smolting, and Early Male Maturation in Hatchery Spring Chinook Salmon: a Common-Garden Experiment
Authors: Spangenberg Dina K. , Larsen Donald A. , Gerstenberger Ryan , Brun Chris , Harstad Deborah L. , Nance Shelly , Rohrbach Larissa , Beckman Brian R.
Published: November 2015

Hatchery spring Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from Parkdale Hatchery on the Hood River, Oregon, and Carson National Fish Hatchery (CNFH) on the Wind River, Washington, were reared under a common-garden experimental regime at CNFH over three consecutive brood years (2008–2010) to assess the effects of stock on smoltification and early male maturation. Rearing groups were monitored for size, percent solid (a surrogate for whole-body lipid), gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity, and rate of precocious maturation in males (i.e., age-2 minijack rate). Despite rearing of the stocks under identical conditions, the out-of-basin Hood River stock was significantly smaller throughout the study and at release as smolts, had lower whole-body lipid at release, and had lower gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity at release than the Carson stock; furthermore, the Hood River stock exhibited much higher mean minijack rates than the Carson stock (45% versus 23% of males). Using logistic regression, we demonstrated that the threshold size for initiation of early male maturation was significantly lower for the Hood River stock than for the Carson stock, suggesting a genetic basis for this life history difference. The present study highlights the importance of understanding how specific genotypes may respond differently to the unique environmental conditions in a given hatchery environment. These differences may in turn influence physiological and life history pathways that affect smolt-to-adult return rates and the demography of returning adults.
Stimulus–response correspondence effect as a function of temporal overlap between relevant and irrelevant information processing
Authors: Wang Dong-Yuan Debbie , Dan Richard F. , Ray Brittany
Published: November 2015

The stimulus–response correspondence (SRC) effect refers to advantages in performance when stimulus and response correspond in dimensions or features, even if the common features are irrelevant to the task. Previous research indicated that the SRC effect depends on the temporal course of stimulus information processing. The current study investigated how the temporal overlap between relevant and irrelevant stimulus processing influences the SRC effect. In this experiment, the irrelevant stimulus (a previously associated tone) preceded the relevant stimulus (a coloured rectangle). The irrelevant and relevant stimuli onset asynchrony was varied to manipulate the temporal overlap between the irrelevant and relevant stimuli processing. Results indicated that the SRC effect size varied as a quadratic function of the temporal overlap between the relevant stimulus and irrelevant stimulus. This finding extends previous experimental observations that the SRC effect size varies in an increasing or decreasing function with reaction time. The current study demonstrated a quadratic function between effect size and the temporal overlap.
Higher chordality: From graphs to complexes
Authors: Adiprasito Karim , Nevo Eran , Samper Jose
Published: November 2015

We generalize the fundamental graph-theoretic notion of chordality for higher dimensional simplicial complexes by putting it into a proper context within homology theory. We generalize some of the classical results of graph chordality to this generality, including the fundamental relation to the Leray property and chordality theorems of Dirac.
CopyNumber450kCancer: baseline correction for accurate copy number calling from the 450k methylation array
Authors: Marzouka Nour-al-dain , Nordlund Jessica , Bäcklin Christofer L. , Lönnerholm Gudmar , Syvänen Ann-Christine , Carlsson Almlöf Jonas
Published: November 2015

The Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (450k) is widely used for the evaluation of DNA methylation levels in large-scale datasets, particularly in cancer. The 450k design allows copy number variant (CNV) calling using existing bioinformatics tools. However, in cancer samples, numerous large-scale aberrations cause shifting in the probe intensities and thereby may result in erroneous CNV calling. Therefore, a baseline correction process is needed. We suggest the maximum peak of probe segment density to correct the shift in the intensities in cancer samples.

Availability and implementation: CopyNumber450kCancer is implemented as an R package. The package with examples can be downloaded at http://cran.r-project.org.

Contact:  nour.marzouka@medsci.uu.se

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Long-term Survival for Patients Undergoing Volatile versus IV Anesthesia for Cancer Surgery
Authors: Wigmore Timothy J. , Mohammed Kabir , Jhanji Shaman
Published: November 2015

AbstractAbstract

In a retrospective analysis, the authors compared mortality after cancer surgery in more than 7,000 patients given volatile general anesthesia or total IV anesthesia. Mortality was approximately 50% greater with volatile than with IV anesthesia, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.46 (1.29 to 1.66).

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background

Surgical resection remains the best option for long-term survival in many solid tumors. Surgery can, however, lead to tumor cell release into the circulation. Data have suggested differential effects of anesthetic agents on cancer cell growth. This retrospective analysis investigated the association of anesthetic technique with long-term survival in patients presenting for elective surgery in a comprehensive cancer center over 3 yr.

Methods

All patients undergoing elective surgery between June 2010 and May 2013 were included. Patients were grouped according to whether they had received volatile inhalational (INHA) or total IV anesthesia (TIVA). After excluding those who received both forms of anesthesia during the study period, Kaplan–Meier survival curves were constructed from the date of surgery to death. After propensity matching, univariate and multivariable regression models were used to compare hazard ratios for death.

Results

A total of 11,395 anesthetics using INHA or TIVA were delivered in the study period. After exclusions, 3,316 patients (796 deaths, 24%) remained in the INHA group and 3,714 (504 deaths, 13.5%) in the TIVA group. After propensity matching, 2,607 patients remained in each group (597 deaths, 22.8%, in INHA group vs. 407, 15.6%, in TIVA group). Volatile inhalational anesthesia was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.59 (1.30 to 1.95) for death on univariate analysis and 1.46 (1.29 to 1.66) after multivariable analysis of known confounders in the matched group.

Conclusions

This retrospective analysis demonstrates an association between type of anesthetic delivered and survival. This analysis alongside biological plausibility should lead to urgent prospective work exploring the effect of anesthetic technique on survival.