bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Dictionary Approach to Electron Backscatter Diffraction Indexing
Authors: Chen Yu H. , Park Se Un , Wei Dennis , Newstadt Greg , Jackson Michael A. , Simmons Jeff P. , De Graef Marc , Hero Alfred O.
Published: June 2015

We propose a framework for indexing of grain and subgrain structures in electron backscatter diffraction patterns of polycrystalline materials. We discretize the domain of a dynamical forward model onto a dense grid of orientations, producing a dictionary of patterns. For each measured pattern, we identify the most similar patterns in the dictionary, and identify boundaries, detect anomalies, and index crystal orientations. The statistical distribution of these closest matches is used in an unsupervised binary decision tree (DT) classifier to identify grain boundaries and anomalous regions. The DT classifies a pattern as an anomaly if it has an abnormally low similarity to any pattern in the dictionary. It classifies a pixel as being near a grain boundary if the highly ranked patterns in the dictionary differ significantly over the pixel’s neighborhood. Indexing is accomplished by computing the mean orientation of the closest matches to each pattern. The mean orientation is estimated using a maximum likelihood approach that models the orientation distribution as a mixture of Von Mises–Fisher distributions over the quaternionic three sphere. The proposed dictionary matching approach permits segmentation, anomaly detection, and indexing to be performed in a unified manner with the additional benefit of uncertainty quantification.
LUCRETIUS 5.1442PROPTER ODORES: THE SWEET SMELL OF (VERY BELATED) SUCCESS?
Authors: Mitchell Keith
Published: June 2015

This paper offers a new reading of the end of Lucretius 5.1442, arguing that the line-end as we have it (much less Servius’ apparent reference to it) cannot stand, but that the original reading may yet be recovered from the transmitted text. The paper also seeks to show how the corruption may have arisen.
Ego Depletion Moderates the Influence of Automatic and Controlled Precursors of Reactive Aggression
Authors: Schmidt Alexander F. , Zimmermann Philipp S. , Banse Rainer , Imhoff Roland
Published: June 2015

From a dual-systems perspective, it has been proposed that predictive validity of whether individuals act out or stifle their reactive aggression will be maximized if (a) automatic and (b) controlled precursors of aggression are assessed and (c) situational boundaries in favor of acting out or restraining oneself are specified. In the present research we experimentally manipulated participants’ self-regulatory efforts in an ego depletion paradigm and subsequently measured reactive aggression in the Taylor Aggression Paradigm. Assessing automatic and controlled precursors of reactive aggression via an Implicit Association Test of Aggressiveness (Agg-IAT) and self-report reactive aggressiveness questionnaire, respectively, we demonstrated a theoretically expected double dissociation: Reactive aggression of ego depleted individuals was predicted by the implicit measure whereas non-depleted participants’ reactive aggression was predicted by their explicit self-reports. The results corroborate the usefulness of both explicit and implicit measures of aggressiveness and point to boundary conditions of these measures’ predictive validity.
Monitoring host responses to the gut microbiota
Authors: Lichtman Joshua S , Sonnenburg Justin L , Elias Joshua E
Published: June 2015

The gastrointestinal (GI) ecosystem is increasingly understood to be a fundamental component of health, and has been identified as a new focal point for diagnosing, correcting and preventing countless disorders. Shotgun DNA sequencing has emerged as the dominant technology for determining the genetic and microbial composition of the gut microbiota. This technology has linked microbiota dysbioses to numerous GI diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and allergy, and to non-GI diseases like autism and depression. The importance of establishing causality in the deterioration of the host–microbiota relationship is well appreciated; however, discovery of candidate molecules and pathways that underlie mechanisms remains a major challenge. Targeted approaches, transcriptional assays, cytokine panels and imaging analyses, applied to animals, have yielded important insight into host responses to the microbiota. However, non-invasive, hypothesis-independent means of measuring host responses in humans are necessary to keep pace with similarly unbiased sequencing efforts that monitor microbes. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics has served this purpose in many other fields, but stool proteins exist in such diversity and dynamic range as to overwhelm conventional proteomics technologies. Focused analysis of host protein secretion into the gut lumen and monitoring proteome-level dynamics in stool provides a tractable route toward non-invasively evaluating dietary, microbial, surgical or pharmacological intervention efficacies. This review is intended to guide GI biologists and clinicians through the methods currently used to elucidate host responses in the gut, with a specific focus on mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics applied to the study of host protein dynamics within the GI ecosystem.
Solving the woolly mammoth conundrum: amino acid 15N-enrichment suggests a distinct forage or habitat
Authors: Schwartz-Narbonne Rachel , Longstaffe Fred J. , Metcalfe Jessica Z. , Zazula Grant
Published: June 2015

Understanding woolly mammoth ecology is key to understanding Pleistocene community dynamics and evaluating the roles of human hunting and climate change in late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions. Previous isotopic studies of mammoths’ diet and physiology have been hampered by the ‘mammoth conundrum’: woolly mammoths have anomalously high collagen δ15N values, which are more similar to coeval carnivores than herbivores and which could imply a distinct diet and (or) habitat, or a physiological adaptation. We analyzed individual amino acids from collagen of adult woolly mammoths and coeval species and discovered greater  15N enrichment in source amino acids of woolly mammoths than in most other herbivores or carnivores. Woolly mammoths consumed an isotopically distinct food source, reflective of extreme aridity, dung fertilization and (or) plant selection. This dietary signal suggests that woolly mammoths occupied a distinct habitat or forage niche relative to other Pleistocene herbivores.
Flux of granular particles through a shaken sieve plate
Authors: Wen Pingping , Zheng Ning , Nian Junwei , Li Liangsheng , Shi Qingfan
Published: June 2015

We experimentally investigate a discharging flux of granular particles through a sieve plate subject to vertical vibrations. The mean mass flux shows a non-monotonic relation with the vibration strength. High-speed photography reveals that two stages, the free flight of the particles’ bulk over the plate and the adhesion of the particles’ bulk with the plate, alternately appear, where only the adhesion stage contributes to the flow. With two independent methods, we then measure the adhesion time under different vibration conditions and define an adhesion flux. The adhesion flux monotonically increases with increasing vibration strength. By rescaling the adhesion flux, we find that the adhesion flux is approximately determined by the peak vibration velocity of the shaker. The conclusion is examined with other sieve geometries.
The Effects of Time on Task in Response Selection - An ERP Study of Mental Fatigue
Authors: Möckel Tina , Beste Christian , Wascher Edmund
Published: June 2015

Long lasting involvement in a cognitive task leads to mental fatigue. Substantial efforts have been undertaken to understand this phenomenon. However, it has been demonstrated that some changes with time on task are not only related to mental fatigue. The present study intends to clarify these effects of time on task unrelated to mental fatigue on response selection processes at the behavioural and electrophysiological level (using event-related potentials, ERPs). Participants had to perform a Simon task for more than 3 hours and rated their experienced mental fatigue and motivation to continue with the task at several time points during the experiment. The results show that at the beginning of the experiment some unspecific modulations of training and adaptation are evident. With time on task participants’ ability to resolve response conflict appears to become impaired. The results reveal that time on task effects cannot be completely explained by mental fatigue. Instead, it seems that an interplay of adaptation at the beginning and motivational effects in the course of a task modulate performance and neurophysiological parameters. In future studies it will be important to account for the relative contribution of adaptation and motivation parameters when time on task effects are investigated.
Bromide (Br) - Based Synthesis of Ag Nanocubes with High-Yield
Authors: Wu Fan , Wang Wenhui , Xu Zhongfeng , Li Fuli
Published: June 2015

The geometry of metal nanoparticles greatly affects the properties of the localized surface plasmon resonance and surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The synthesis of metal nanoparticles with controllable geometry has thus attracted extensive attentions. In this work, we report a modified polyol synthesis approach of silver (Ag) nanocubes through tuning the concentration of bromide ions (Br− ions). We have systematically investigated the effect of Br− ions in the polyol process and find that higher concentration of Br− ions can enhance oxidative etching effect, which is the dominative factor in determining nanostructure geometry. Therefore, one can realize control over nanostructure geometry by manipulating the concentration of Br− ions. Our work provides an effective approach to control the shape of metallic nanostructures for potential applications.
The radish genome and comprehensive gene expression profile of tuberous root formation and development
Authors: Mitsui Yuki , Shimomura Michihiko , Komatsu Kenji , Namiki Nobukazu , Shibata-Hatta Mari , Imai Misaki , Katayose Yuichi , Mukai Yoshiyuki , Kanamori Hiroyuki , Kurita Kanako , Kagami Tsutomu , Wakatsuki Akihito , Ohyanagi Hajime , Ikawa Hiroshi , Minaka Nobuhiro , Nakagawa Kunihiro , Shiwa Yu , Sasaki Takuji
Published: June 2015

Understanding the processes that regulate plant sink formation and development at the molecular level will contribute to the areas of crop breeding, food production and plant evolutionary studies. We report the annotation and analysis of the draft genome sequence of the radish Raphanus sativus var. hortensis (long and thick root radish) and transcriptome analysis during root development. Based on the hybrid assembly approach of next-generation sequencing, a total of 383 Mb (N50 scaffold: 138.17 kb) of sequences of the radish genome was constructed containing 54,357 genes. Syntenic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that divergence between Raphanus and Brassica coincide with the time of whole genome triplication (WGT), suggesting that WGT triggered diversification of Brassiceae crop plants. Further transcriptome analysis showed that the gene functions and pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism were prominently activated in thickening roots, particularly in cell proliferating tissues. Notably, the expression levels of sucrose synthase 1 (SUS1) were correlated with root thickening rates. We also identified the genes involved in pungency synthesis and their transcription factors.
Characterization of two-step deglycosylation via oxidation by glycoside oxidoreductase and defining their subfamily
Authors: Kim Eun-Mi , Seo Joo-Hyun , Baek Kiheon , Kim Byung-Gee
Published: June 2015

Herein, we report a two-step deglycosylation mediated by the oxidation of glycoside which is different from traditional glycoside hydrolase (GH) mechanism. Previously, we reported a novel flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent glycoside oxidoreductase (FAD-GO) having deglycosylation activity. Various features of the reaction of FAD-GO such as including mechanism and catalytic residue and substrate specificity were studied. In addition, classification of novel FAD-GO subfamily was attempted. Deglycosylation of glycoside was performed spontaneously via oxidation of 3-OH of glycone moiety by FAD-GO mediated oxidation reaction. His493 residue was identified as a catalytic residue for the oxidation step. Interestingly, this enzyme has broad glycone and aglycon specificities. For the classification of FAD-GO enzyme subfamily, putative FAD-GOs were screened based on the FAD-GO from Rhizobium sp. GIN611 (gi 365822256) using BLAST search. The homologs of R. sp. GIN611 included the putative FAD-GOs from Stenotrophomonas strains, Sphingobacterium strains, Agrobacterium tumefaciens str. C58, and etc. All the cloned FAD-GOs from the three strains catalyzed the deglycosylation via enzymatic oxidation. Based on their substrate specificities, deglycosylation and oxidation activities to various ginsenosides, the FAD-GO subfamily members can be utilized as novel biocatalysts for the production of various aglycones.
Highly Efficient Photon Upconversion in Self-Assembled Light-Harvesting Molecular Systems
Authors: Ogawa Taku , Yanai Nobuhiro , Monguzzi Angelo , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: June 2015

To meet the world’s demands on the development of sunlight-powered renewable energy production, triplet–triplet annihilation-based photon upconversion (TTA–UC) has raised great expectations. However, an ideal highly efficient, low-power and in-air TTA–UC has not been achieved. Here, we report a novel self-assembly approach to achieve this, which enabled highly efficient TTA–UC even in the presence of oxygen. A newly developed lipophilic 9,10-diphenylanthracene-based emitter molecule functionalized with multiple hydrogen-bonding moieties spontaneously coassembled with a triplet sensitizer in organic media, showing efficient triplet sensitization and subsequent triplet energy migration among the preorganized chromophores. This supramolecular light-harvesting system shows a high UC quantum yield of 30% optimized at low excitation power in deaerated conditions. Significantly, the UC emission largely remains even in an air-saturated solution and this approach is facilely applicable to organogel and solid-film systems.
Functional characterization of salicylate hydroxylase from the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae
Authors: Ambrose Karen V. , Tian Zipeng , Wang Yifei , Smith Jordan , Zylstra Gerben , Huang Bingru , Belanger Faith C.
Published: June 2015

Epichloë spp. are symbiotic fungal endophytes of many cool season grasses. The presence of the fungal endophytes often confers insect, drought and disease tolerance to the host grasses. The presence of the fungal endophytes within the host plants does not elicit host defense responses. The molecular basis for this phenomenon is not known. Epichloë festucae, the endophyte of Festuca rubra, expresses a salicylate hydroxylase similar to NahG from the bacterium Pseudomonas putida. Few fungal salicylate hydroxylase enzymes have been reported. The in planta expression of an endophyte salicylate hydroxylase raised the possibility that degradation of plant-produced salicylic acid is a factor in the mechanism of how the endophyte avoids eliciting host plant defenses. Here we report the characterization of the E. festucae salicylate hydroxylase, designated Efe-shyA. Although the fungal enzyme has the expected activity, based on salicylic acid levels in endophyte-free and endophyte-infected plants it is unlikely that expression of the endophyte salicylate hydroxylase is a factor in the lack of a host defense response to the presence of the fungal endophyte.
Short Course Radiation in the Treatment of Localized Rectal cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Cui , Sun Peng , Rong Jian , Weng Hui-Wen , Dai Qiang-sheng , Ye Sheng
Published: June 2015

This meta-analysis sets out to systematically assess the efficacy of short course radiation (SRT) for rectal cancer patients based on randomized, controlled trials. Eight randomized controlled trials involving 6894 patients were ultimately included in this meta-analysis. Three trials (n = 2574) compared SRT with surgery alone. Local recurrence was improved (HR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.58). Overall survival was marginally improved with an HR of 0.90 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.00), but the magnitude of benefit was heterogeneous across trials. An additional three trials (n = 3682) compared SRT with selective postoperative radiation ± chemotherapy. A significant reduction of local recurrence (HR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.56) was also found after SRT. However, no benefit in overall survival was observed. Moreover, two trials (n = 638) compared SRT with long course chemoradiation. There was no statistically significant local recurrence or overall survival difference observed between the two strategies. Patients receiving SRT had lower grade 3 or 4 acute treatment related toxicity (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.22) whereas no difference in late toxicity was observed. Overall, SRT is a reasonable alternative for resectable rectal cancer patients and should be part of an informed discussion of treatment options for this group of patients.
Real Time Tracking of Magmatic Intrusions by means of Ground Deformation Modeling during Volcanic Crises
Authors: Cannavò Flavio , Camacho Antonio G. , González Pablo J. , Mattia Mario , Puglisi Giuseppe , Fernández José
Published: June 2015

Volcano observatories provide near real-time information and, ultimately, forecasts about volcano activity. For this reason, multiple physical and chemical parameters are continuously monitored. Here, we present a new method to efficiently estimate the location and evolution of magmatic sources based on a stream of real-time surface deformation data, such as High-Rate GPS and a free-geometry magmatic source model. The tool allows tracking inflation and deflation sources in time, providing estimates of where a volcano might erupt, which is important in understanding an on-going crisis. We show a successful simulated application to the pre-eruptive period of May 2008, at Mount Etna (Italy). The proposed methodology is able to track the fast dynamics of the magma migration by inverting the real-time data within seconds. This general method is suitable for integration in any volcano observatory. The method provides first order unsupervised and realistic estimates of the locations of magmatic sources and of potential eruption sites, information that is especially important for civil protection purposes.
Universal Conductance Fluctuation in Two-Dimensional Topological Insulators
Authors: Choe Duk-Hyun , Chang K. J.
Published: June 2015

Despite considerable interest in two-dimensional (2D) topological insulators (TIs), a fundamental question still remains open how mesoscopic conductance fluctuations in 2D TIs are affected by spin-orbit interaction (SOI). Here, we investigate the effect of SOI on the universal conductance fluctuation (UCF) in disordered 2D TIs. Although 2D TI exhibits UCF like any metallic systems, the amplitude of these fluctuations is distinguished from that of conventional spin-orbit coupled 2D materials. Especially, in 2D systems with mirror symmetry, spin-flip scattering is forbidden even in the presence of strong intrinsic SOI, hence increasing the amplitude of the UCF by a factor of "Equation missing" compared with extrinsic SOI that breaks mirror symmetry. We propose an easy way to experimentally observe the existence of such spin-flip scattering in 2D materials. Our findings provide a key to understanding the emergence of a new universal behavior in 2D TIs.
Levodopa in Mucuna pruriens and its degradation
Authors: Pulikkalpura Haridas , Kurup Rajani , Mathew Paravanparampil Jacob , Baby Sabulal
Published: June 2015

Mucuna pruriens is the best known natural source of L-dopa, the gold standard for treatment of Parkinsonism. M. pruriens varieties are protein rich supplements and are used as food and fodder worldwide. Here, we report L-dopa contents in seeds of fifty six accessions of four M. pruriens varieties, M. pruriens var. pruriens, M. pruriens var. hirsuta, M. pruriens var. utilis and M. pruriens var. thekkadiensis, quantified by HPTLC-densitometry. L-dopa contents varied between 0.58 to 6.42 (%, dr. wt.). High and low L-dopa yielding genotypes/chemotypes of M. pruriens could be multiplied for medicinal and nutritional purposes, respectively. HPTLC profiles of M. pruriens seeds on repeated extraction (24 h) in 1:1 formic acid-alcohol followed by development in butanol:acetic acid:water (4:1:1, v/v) showed consistent degradation of L-dopa (Rf 0.34 ± 0.02) into a second peak (Rf 0.41 ± 0.02). An average of 52.11% degradation of L-dopa was found in seeds of M. pruriens varieties. Since M. pruriens seeds and/or L-dopa are used for treatment of Parkinson’s disease and as an aphrodisiac both in modern and/or traditional systems of medicine, the finding of high level of L-dopa degradation (in pure form and in M. pruriens extracts) into damaging quinones and ROS is very significant.
Tailoring resistive switching in Pt/SrTiO3 junctions by stoichiometry control
Authors: Mikheev Evgeny , Hwang Jinwoo , Kajdos Adam P. , Hauser Adam J. , Stemmer Susanne
Published: June 2015

Resistive switching effects in transition metal oxide-based devices offer new opportunities for information storage and computing technologies. Although it is known that resistive switching is a defect-driven phenomenon, the precise mechanisms are still poorly understood owing to the difficulty of systematically controlling specific point defects. As a result, obtaining reliable and reproducible devices remains a major challenge for this technology. Here, we demonstrate control of resistive switching based on intentional manipulation of native point defects. Oxide molecular beam epitaxy is used to systematically investigate the effect of Ti/Sr stoichiometry on resistive switching in high-quality Pt/SrTiO3 junctions. We demonstrate resistive switching with improved state retention through the introduction of Ti- and Sr-excess into the near-interface region. More broadly, the results demonstrate the utility of high quality metal/oxide interfaces and explicit control over structural defects to improve control, uniformity and reproducibility of resistive switching processes. Unintentional interfacial contamination layers, which are present if Schottky contacts are processed at low temperature, can easily dominate the resistive switching characteristics and complicate the interpretation if nonstoichiometry is also present.
Ha83, a Chitin Binding Domain Encoding Gene, Is Important to Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus Budded Virus Production and Occlusion Body Assembling
Authors: Yu Huan , Xu Jian , Liu Qiang , Liu Tong-Xian , Wang Dun
Published: June 2015

Helicoerpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) ha83 is a late expressed gene that encodes a chitin binding protein. Chitin domain truncation studies revealed that the cysteine at the 128 amino acid position probably played an important role in both chitin binding ability and protein transmission of Ha83. In order to study the function of ha83 in the HearNPV infection cycle, an ha83 knockout HearNPV (Ha83KO) was constructed via homologous recombination. Viral growth and viral DNA replication curves showed that fewer budded virions were produced in Ha83KO transfected cells, while viral DNA replication was increased. Electron microscopy revealed that fewer nucleocapsids were transmitted from virogenic stroma in the Ha83KO transfected cell nucleus and the morphology of occlusion bodies was prominently larger and cube-shaped. Furthermore, DNA quantity in occlusion bodies of Ha83KO was significantly lower than the occlusion bodies of HaWT. The transcription analysis indicated that these changes may be due to the decreased expression level of viral structural associated genes, such as polyhedrin, p10, pif-2, or cg30 in Ha83KO infected cells. Above results demonstrated that the cysteine at the 128 amino acid position in Ha83 might be the key amino acid and Ha83 plays an important role in BVs production and OBs assembling.
Electric tuning of magnetization dynamics and electric field-induced negative magnetic permeability in nanoscale composite multiferroics
Authors: Jia Chenglong , Wang Fenglong , Jiang Changjun , Berakdar Jamal , Xue Desheng
Published: June 2015

Steering magnetism by electric fields upon interfacing ferromagnetic (FM) and ferroelectric (FE) materials to achieve an emergent multiferroic response bears a great potential for nano-scale devices with novel functionalities. FM/FE heterostructures allow, for instance, the electrical manipulation of magnetic anisotropy via interfacial magnetoelectric (ME) couplings. A charge-mediated ME effect is believed to be generally weak and active in only a few angstroms. Here we present an experimental evidence uncovering a new magnon-driven, strong ME effect acting on the nanometer range. For Co92Zr8(20 nm) film deposited on ferroelectric PMN-PT we show via ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) that this type of linear ME allows for electrical control of simultaneously the magnetization precessionandits damping, both of which are key elements for magnetic switching and spintronics. The experiments unravel further an electric-field-induced negative magnetic permeability effect.
Amino Acid Flux from Metabolic Network Benefits Protein Translation: the Role of Resource Availability
Authors: Hu Xiao-Pan , Yang Yi , Ma Bin-Guang
Published: June 2015

Protein translation is a central step in gene expression and affected by many factors such as codon usage bias, mRNA folding energy and tRNA abundance. Despite intensive previous studies, how metabolic amino acid supply correlates with protein translation efficiency remains unknown. In this work, we estimated the amino acid flux from metabolic network for each protein in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using Flux Balance Analysis. Integrated with the mRNA expression level, protein abundance and ribosome profiling data, we provided a detailed description of the role of amino acid supply in protein translation. Our results showed that amino acid supply positively correlates with translation efficiency and ribosome density. Moreover, with the rank-based regression model, we found that metabolic amino acid supply facilitates ribosome utilization. Based on the fact that the ribosome density change of well-amino-acid-supplied genes is smaller than poorly-amino-acid-supply genes under amino acid starvation, we reached the conclusion that amino acid supply may buffer ribosome density change against amino acid starvation and benefit maintaining a relatively stable translation environment. Our work provided new insights into the connection between metabolic amino acid supply and protein translation process by revealing a new regulation strategy that is dependent on resource availability.
HIV Subtypes B and C gp120 and Methamphetamine Interaction: Dopaminergic System Implicates Differential Neuronal Toxicity
Authors: Samikkannu Thangavel , Rao Kurapati V. K. , Salam Abdul Ajees Abdul , Atluri Venkata S. R. , Kaftanovskaya Elena M. , Agudelo Marisela , Perez Suray , Yoo Changwon , Raymond Andrea D. , Ding Hong , Nair Madhavan P. N.
Published: June 2015

HIV subtypes or clades differentially induce HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and substance abuse is known to accelerate HIV disease progression. The HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 plays a major role in binding and budding in the central nervous system (CNS) and impacts dopaminergic functions. However, the mechanisms utilized by HIV-1 clades to exert differential effects and the methamphetamine (METH)-associated dopaminergic dysfunction are poorly understood. We hypothesized that clade B and C gp120 structural sequences, modeling based analysis, dopaminergic effect and METH potentiate neuronal toxicity in astrocytes. We evaluated the effect of clade B and C gp120 and/or METH on the DRD-2, DAT, CaMKs and CREBP transcription. Both the structural sequence and modeling studies demonstrated that clade B gp120 in V1-V4, α -2 and N-glycosylated sites are distinct from clade C gp120. The distinct structure and sequence variation of clade B gp120 differentially impact DRD-2, DAT, CaMK II and CaMK IV mRNA, protein and intracellular expression compared to clade C gp120. However, CREB transcription is upregulated by both clade B and C gp120 and METH co-treatment potentiated these effects. In conclusion, distinct structural sequences of HIV-1 clade B and C gp120 differentially regulate the dopaminergic pathway and METH potentiates neurotoxicity.
Inhibition of hypoxia inducible factors combined with all-trans retinoic acid treatment enhances glial transdifferentiation of neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Cimmino Flora , Pezone Lucia , Avitabile Marianna , Acierno Giovanni , Andolfo Immacolata , Capasso Mario , Iolascon Achille
Published: June 2015

Neuroblastoma (NBL) is a heterogeneous tumor characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations. A high tumor cell differentiation grade correlates to a favorable stage and positive outcome. Expression of the hypoxia inducible factors HIF1-α (HIF1A gene) and HIF2-α (EPAS1 gene) and/or hypoxia-regulated pathways has been shown to promote the undifferentiated phenotype of NBL cells. Our hypothesis is that HIF1A and EPAS1 expression represent one of the mechanisms responsible for the lack of responsiveness of NBL to differentiation therapy. Clinically, high levels of HIF1A and EPAS1 expression were associated with inferior survival in two NBL microarray datasets and patient subgroups with lower expression of HIF1A and EPAS1 showed significant enrichment of pathways related to neuronal differentiation. In NBL cell lines, the combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with HIF1A or EPAS1 silencing led to an acquired glial-cell phenotype and enhanced expression of glial-cell differentiation markers. Furthermore, HIF1A or EPAS1 silencing might promote cell senescence independent of ATRA treatment. Taken together, our data suggest that HIF inhibition coupled with ATRA treatment promotes differentiation into a more benign phenotype and cell senescence in vitro. These findings open the way for additional lines of attack in the treatment of NBL minimal residue disease.
Controlling the degradation kinetics of porous iron by poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) infiltration for use as temporary medical implants
Authors: Yusop Abdul Hakim Md , Daud Nurizzati Mohd , Nur Hadi , Kadir Mohammed Rafiq Abdul , Hermawan Hendra
Published: June 2015

Iron and its alloy have been proposed as biodegradable metals for temporary medical implants. However, the formation of iron oxide and iron phosphate on their surface slows down their degradation kinetics in bothin vitroandin vivoscenarios. This work presents new approach to tailor degradation behavior of iron by incorporating biodegradable polymers into the metal. Porous pure iron (PPI) was vacuum infiltrated by poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to form fully dense PLGA-infiltrated porous iron (PIPI) and dip coated into the PLGA to form partially dense PLGA-coated porous iron (PCPI). Results showed that compressive strength and toughness of the PIPI and PCPI were higher compared to PPI. A strong interfacial interaction was developed between the PLGA layer and the iron surface. Degradation rate of PIPI and PCPI was higher than that of PPI due to the effect of PLGA hydrolysis. The fast degradation of PIPI did not affect the viability of human fibroblast cells. Finally, this work discusses a degradation mechanism for PIPI and the effect of PLGA incorporation in accelerating the degradation of iron.
Tunable broadband plasmonic field enhancement on a graphene surface using a normal-incidence plane wave at mid-infrared frequencies
Authors: Zhang Tian , Chen Lin , Wang Bing , Li Xun
Published: June 2015

We investigate optical field enhancement for a wide mid-infrared range, originating from the excitation of graphene plasmons, by introducing a graded dielectric grating of varying period underneath a graphene monolayer. Excitation of the plasmonic mode can be achieved by illuminating a normal-incidence plane wave on the gratings due to guided-mode resonance. The gratings of varying period enable the excitation of the plasmonic mode with a very high field enhancement factor (to the order of magnitude of 1000) within a wide spectral band, which leads to the frequency-dependent spatially separated localization of the infrared spectrum modes. We also demonstrate that the excitation position of the plasmonic mode can be freely tuned by varying the thickness of the interlayer as well as the chemical potential of the graphene monolayer. This structure enables the design of two-dimensional plasmonic photonic circuits and metamaterials targeted towards numerous potential applications including optoelectronic detectors, light-harvest devices, on-chip optical interconnects, biosensors and light-matter interactions.
Exogenous features versus prior experiences modulate different subregions of the right IPL during episodic memory retrieval
Authors: Kwok Sze Chai , Macaluso Emiliano
Published: June 2015

The fractionation view holds that distinct cognitive operations are mediated by subregions of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Within IPL, we hypothesised that retrieval-related activity in different parts of the right supramarginal gyrus (rSMG) may be modulated differentially by information acquired via different combinations of attention signals at encoding. We had two groups of participants watch a 42-min TV episode and, after a 24-hr delay, perform a temporal-order judgment task during fMRI. Each retrieval trial comprised three images presented sequentially, requiring participants to judge the temporal order between the first and last images while ignoring the second image (“distractor”). We manipulated the bottom-up factor by presenting distractors that were extracted from either an event-boundary or a non-boundary of the movie. The top-down factor was manipulated by instructing one group perform a segmentation task reporting the event-boundaries at encoding, while the other group watched the movie passively. Across groups, we found that the stimulus-related factor modulated retrieval activation in the anterior rSMG (areas PFt and PFop), whereas the goal-related influence of prior segmentation interacted with this effect in the middle rSMG (area PF), demonstrating IPL segregation during retrieval as a function of prior bottom-up vs. top-down attention signals.
Molecular Characterization of NF1 and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in a Chinese Population
Authors: Zhang Jia , Tong Hanxing , Fu Xi’an , Zhang Yong , Liu Jiangbo , Cheng Ruhong , Liang Jianying , Peng Jie , Sun Zhonghui , Liu Hong , Zhang Furen , Lu Weiqi , Li Ming , Yao Zhirong
Published: June 2015

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease that is primarily characterized by multiple café au-lait spots (CALs) and skin neurofibromas, which are attributed to defects in the tumor suppressor NF1. Because of the age-dependent presentation of NF1, it is often difficult to make an early clinical diagnosis. Moreover, identifying genetic alterations in NF1 patients represents a complex challenge. Currently, there are no effective detective methods and no comprehensive NF1 mutation data are available for mainland China. We screened 109 Chinese patients from 100 families with NF1-like phenotypes (e.g., CALs, neurofibromas, etc.) using Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and cDNA sequencing. NF1 mutations were identified in 97 individuals, among which 34 intragenic mutations have not previously been reported. Our exhaustive mutational analysis detected mutations in 89% (89/100) of the NF1-like probands and 93% (70/75) of subjects fulfilling the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria. Our findings indicate that individuals who exclusively present with multiple CALs exhibit a high possibility (76%) of having NF1 and show a significantly lower mutation rate (p = 0.042) compared with subjects who fulfill the NIH criteria, providing clinicians with the information that subjects only with multiple CALs harbor a considerable possibility (24%) of being attributed to other comparable diseases.
Nanoparticle colloidal stability in cell culture media and impact on cellular interactions
Authors: Moore Thomas L. , Rodriguez-Lorenzo Laura , Hirsch Vera , Balog Sandor , Urban Dominic , Jud Corinne , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara , Lattuada Marco , Petri-Fink Alke
Published: June 2015

This review discusses nanoparticle colloidal stability in biological media in an attempt to shed light on the difficulty correlating nanoparticle physico-chemical properties and biological fate.
Nano-composite structural Ni–Sn alloy anodes for high performance and durability of direct methane-fueled SOFCs
Authors: Myung Jae-ha , Kim Sun-Dong , Shin Tae Ho , Lee Daehee , Irvine John T. S. , Moon Jooho , Hyun Sang-Hoon
Published: June 2015

Ni-based cermets have commonly been used as anode materials with good catalytic properties for hydrocarbon fuel.
A glucose biosensor based on glucose oxidase immobilized on three-dimensional porous carbon electrodes
Authors: Chen Jingyi , Zhu Rong , Huang Jia , Zhang Man , Liu Hongyu , Sun Min , Wang Li , Song Yonghai
Published: June 2015

A schematic illustration of a 3D-KSC/GOD glucose biosensor is presented.
An efficient ratiometric fluorescent probe for tracking dynamic changes in lysosomal pH
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Zhou Liyi , Qiu Liping , Lu Danqing , Wu Yongxiang , Zhang Xiao-Bing
Published: June 2015

We present a new ESIPT-based ratiometric fluorescent probe FR-Lys for the dynamic imaging of pH changes in lysosomes.
Terbium(iii)/gold nanocluster conjugates: the development of a novel ratiometric fluorescent probe for mercury(ii) and a paper-based visual sensor
Authors: Qi Yan-Xia , Zhang Min , Zhu Anwei , Shi Guoyue
Published: June 2015

A novel ratiometric fluorescent probe was developed for detection of mercury in rat tissues based on terbium(iii)/gold nanocluster conjugates. Meanwhile, a paper-based visual sensor for detection of Hg2+ with the naked eye was designed.
Detection of low concentrations of ampicillin in milk
Authors: Andreou Chrysafis , Mirsafavi Rustin , Moskovits Martin , Meinhart Carl D.
Published: June 2015

Ampicillin is detected at trace concentrations in milk using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy in a microfluidic device, using less than 20 μL of sample, in 10 minutes, with minimal off-chip preparation. The device tailors the aggregation reaction of silver nanoparticles so as to increase the SERS intensity and sensitivity.
Biophysical separation of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains based on antibiotic resistance
Authors: Jones Paul V. , Huey Shannon , Davis Paige , McLemore Ryan , McLaren Alex , Hayes Mark A.
Published: June 2015

Gradient insulator-based dielectrophoresis used to generate separation and concentration ofStaphylococcus epidermidis, gentamicin-resistant and susceptible strains.
Trends in aptamer selection methods and applications
Authors: Yüce Meral , Ullah Naimat , Budak Hikmet
Published: June 2015

Aptamers are target specific ssDNA, RNA or peptide sequences generated by anin vitroselection and amplification method called SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment), which involves repetitive cycles of binding, recovery and amplification steps.
Recapitulation of in vivo-like neutrophil transendothelial migration using a microfluidic platform
Authors: Wu Xiaojie , Newbold Molly A. , Haynes Christy L.
Published: June 2015

Herein, a versatile hydrogel scaffold is embedded in a microfluidic platform that supports an endothelial cell layer; this construct is employed to mimic thein vivoneutrophil transendothelial migration process.
Studying the distribution of deep Raman spectroscopy signals using liquid tissue phantoms with varying optical properties
Authors: Vardaki Martha Z. , Gardner Benjamin , Stone Nicholas , Matousek Pavel
Published: June 2015

We studied experimentally the magnitude and origin of Raman signals in a transmission Raman geometry as a function of optical properties of the medium and the location of Raman scatterer within the phantom.
An on-line solid phase extraction method coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS for the determination of steroid hormone compounds in treated water samples from waste water treatment plants
Authors: Guedes-Alonso Rayco , Sosa-Ferrera Zoraida , Santana-Rodríguez José Juan
Published: June 2015

An on-line solid phase extraction coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of fourteen hormones in waste waters has been developed.
Performance of the Radiello® diffusive sampler for formaldehyde measurement: the influence of exposure conditions and ozone interference
Authors: Vignau-Laulhere Jane , Plaisance Hervé , Mocho Pierre , Raulin Katarzyna , Bigay Yves , Desauziers Valérie
Published: June 2015

The radial diffusive standard sampler Radiello® filled with Florisil impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) was evaluated with the goal of survey monitoring the formaldehyde concentration in indoor air for a 4.5 day sampling time.
High catalytic activity for water oxidation based on nanostructured nickel phosphide precursors
Authors: Han Ali , Chen Huanlin , Sun Zijun , Xu Jun , Du Pingwu
Published: June 2015

For the first time, noble-metal-free nickel phosphide (Ni2P) was used as an excellent catalyst precursor for water oxidation catalysis.
Controlled nitrene transfer from a tyrosinase-like arylnitroso–copper complex
Authors: Askari Mohammad S. , Orio Maylis , Ottenwaelder Xavier
Published: June 2015

The reaction between p-nitrosonitrobenzene and the tetramethylpropylenediamine–copper(i) complex yields a dinuclear complex that has similar topology, electronic structure and reactivity as side-on peroxo species known in Cu/O2 chemistry.
Guanosine-based hydrogen-bonded 2D scaffolds: metal-free formation of G-quartet and G-ribbon architectures at the solid/liquid interface
Authors: Garah Mohamed El , Perone Rosaria C. , Bonilla Alejandro Santana , Haar Sébastien , Campitiello Marilena , Gutierrez Rafael , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Masiero Stefano , Ciesielski Artur , Samorì Paolo
Published: June 2015

The self-assembly of three novel lipophilic guanosine derivatives at the solid/liquid interface lead to the generation of either G-ribbons, lamellar G-dimer arrays or the G4 cation-free architectures.
Construction of the [6-7-5-5] tetracyclic core of all the carbocyclic frameworks of yuzurimine-type alkaloids
Authors: Hayakawa Ichiro , Niida Keisuke , Kigoshi Hideo
Published: June 2015

Construction of the [6-7-5-5] tetracarbocyclic core of yuzurimine-type alkaloids was achieved by using a uniquein situintramolecular Wittig reaction and Sm-mediated cyclization as key steps.
Metal-free hydrogen evolution with nanoparticles derived from pyrene via two-photon ionization induced by laser irradiation
Authors: Ohkubo Kei , Kohno Naoki , Yamada Yusuke , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: June 2015

H2 evolution occurred efficiently with nanoparticles of pyrene oligomers produced by two-photon laser excitation in cyclohexane.
Direct growth of layered intercalation compounds via single step one-pot in situ synthesis
Authors: Yu Jingfang , Xiang Lichen , Martin Benjamin R. , Clearfield Abraham , Sun Luyi
Published: June 2015

A single step one-pot in situ synthesis method was developed to directly grow layered intercalation compounds. This methodology is expected to be applicable to a wide range of layered materials.
A general strategy for fabricating flexible magnetic silica nanofibrous membranes with multifunctionality
Authors: Si Yang , Yan Chengcheng , Hong Feifei , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: June 2015

Flexible, magnetic, and hierarchical porous NiFe2O4@SiO2 nanofibrous membranes with multifunctionality were prepared by combining the gelatin method with electrospun nanofibers.
Hybrid single nanoreactor for in situ SERS monitoring of plasmon-driven and small Au nanoparticles catalyzed reactions
Authors: Li Pan , Ma Bingbing , Yang Liangbao , Liu Jinhuai
Published: June 2015

A hybrid single nanoreactor composed of Au nanoparticles and a Ag nanowire can be used for in situ SERS monitoring of plasmon-driven and Au-catalyzed reactions.
New type of excitatory pulse coupling of chemical oscillators via inhibitor
Authors: Proskurkin Ivan S. , Vanag Vladimir K.
Published: June 2015

A new type of excitatory pulse coupling of two chemical oscillators via a short interruption of inhibitor inflow is introduced.
Mn2@Si15: the smallest triple ring tubular silicon cluster
Authors: Pham Hung Tan , Phan Thu-Thuy , Tam Nguyen Minh , Duong Long Van , Pham-Ho My Phuong , Nguyen Minh Tho
Published: June 2015

The smallest triple ring tubular silicon cluster Mn2@Si15 is reported for the first time.
Harvesting light energy by iridium(iii) complexes on a clay surface
Authors: Tamura Kenji , Yamagishi Akihiko , Kitazawa Takafumi , Sato Hisako
Published: June 2015

The photon energy adsorbed by a donor molecule migrates among other donor molecules until it is captured by an acceptor.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for DNA detection by the self-assembly of Ag nanoparticles onto Ag nanoparticle–graphene oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Lin Tsung-Wu , Wu Hong-Yi , Tasi Ting-Ti , Lai Ying-Huang , Shen Hsin-Hui
Published: June 2015

A novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing system which operates by the self-assembly of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto the nanocomposite of AgNPs and graphene oxide (AgNP–GO) in the presence of two complementary DNAs has been developed.
Post-anti-van't Hoff-Le Bel motif in atomically thin germanium–copper alloy film
Authors: Yang Li-Ming , Popov Ivan A. , Boldyrev Alexander I. , Heine Thomas , Frauenheim Thomas , Ganz Eric
Published: June 2015

We predict a novel planar hypercoordinate Cu2Ge material.
Theoretical exploration of the nanoscale host–guest interactions between [n]cycloparaphenylenes (n = 10, 8 and 9) and fullerene C60: from single- to three-potential well
Authors: Yuan Kun , Zhou Cai-Hua , Zhu Yuan-Cheng , Zhao Xiang
Published: June 2015

The host–guest interactions between C60 and [n]cycloparaphenylene ([n]CPP; n = 10, 8 and 9) are in the manner of single-, double- and three-potential wells, respectively.
Intrinsic half-metallicity in fractal carbon nitride honeycomb lattices
Authors: Wang Aizhu , Zhao Mingwen
Published: June 2015

The electronic properties of fractal frameworks based on carbon nitrides have stable ferromagnetism accompanied by half-metallicity, which are highly dependent on the fractal structure.
Modulating the catalytic activity and the substrate specificity of alcohol dehydrogenases using cyclic ethers
Authors: Kawakami Norifumi , Hara Yosuke , Miyamoto Kenji
Published: June 2015

The catalytic activity ofThermoanaerobacter brockiialcohol dehydrogenase (Tbadh) is increased by the addition of 1,3-dioxolane, although it is inhibited by the addition of tetrahydrofuran .
A novel poly(polyoxometalate) built by {Cu9}/{Cu5} clusters and {PW9}/{PW10}/{PW11} lacunary fragments
Authors: Fang Wei-Hui , Wang Wei-Dong , Yang Guo-Yu
Published: June 2015

The synergistic directing effect of six multi-lacunary Keggin fragments leads to the formation of a Cu28.5-based poly(polyoxotungstate) (poly(POT)), not only showing the largest Cu-substituted POT, but also representing a typical example of poly(POT)s comprising three types of Keggin vacant units.
Ni2P as a Janus catalyst for water splitting: the oxygen evolution activity of Ni2P nanoparticles
Authors: Stern Lucas-Alexandre , Feng Ligang , Song Fang , Hu Xile
Published: June 2015

Ni2P is a bifunctional catalyst for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
Stainless steel made to rust: a robust water-splitting catalyst with benchmark characteristics
Authors: Schäfer Helmut , Sadaf Shamaila , Walder Lorenz , Kuepper Karsten , Dinklage Stephan , Wollschläger Joachim , Schneider Lilli , Steinhart Martin , Hardege Jörg , Daum Diemo
Published: June 2015

Stainless steel was upon electro-initiated surface oxidation converted in an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst with benchmark properties.