bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Returning to the scene of the trauma in PTSD treatment – why, how and when?
Authors: Murray Hannah , Merritt Christopher , Grey Nick
Published: November 2015

Returning to the scene of the trauma is often recommended as part of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many clinicians avoid site visits due to lack of confidence or practical constraints; however, recent research suggests this is a valuable part of treatment. This article summarizes a rationale for including the site visit as part of cognitive therapy for PTSD, as well as the main considerations about when to carry it out in treatment. A practical framework for planning and implementing site visits is described.
Atomic and vibrational origins of mechanical toughness in bioactive cement during setting
Authors: Tian Kun V. , Yang Bin , Yue Yuanzheng , Bowron Daniel T. , Mayers Jerry , Donnan Robert S. , Dobó-Nagy Csaba , Nicholson John W. , Fang De-Cai , Greer A. Lindsay , Chass Gregory A. , Greaves G. Neville
Published: November 2015

Bioactive glass ionomer cements (GICs) have been in widespread use for ∼40 years in dentistry and medicine. However, these composites fall short of the toughness needed for permanent implants. Significant impediment to improvement has been the requisite use of conventional destructive mechanical testing, which is necessarily retrospective. Here we show quantitatively, through the novel use of calorimetry, terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and neutron scattering, how GIC’s developing fracture toughness during setting is related to interfacial THz dynamics, changing atomic cohesion and fluctuating interfacial configurations. Contrary to convention, we find setting is non-monotonic, characterized by abrupt features not previously detected, including a glass–polymer coupling point, an early setting point, where decreasing toughness unexpectedly recovers, followed by stress-induced weakening of interfaces. Subsequently, toughness declines asymptotically to long-term fracture test values. We expect the insight afforded by these in situ non-destructive techniques will assist in raising understanding of the setting mechanisms and associated dynamics of cementitious materials.
The neural dynamics of sensory focus
Authors: Clarke Stephen E. , Longtin André , Maler Leonard
Published: November 2015

Coordinated sensory and motor system activity leads to efficient localization behaviours; but what neural dynamics enable object tracking and what are the underlying coding principles? Here we show that optimized distance estimation from motion-sensitive neurons underlies object tracking performance in weakly electric fish. First, a relationship is presented for determining the distance that maximizes the Fisher information of a neuron’s response to object motion. When applied to our data, the theory correctly predicts the distance chosen by an electric fish engaged in a tracking behaviour, which is associated with a bifurcation between tonic and burst modes of spiking. Although object distance, size and velocity alter the neural response, the location of the Fisher information maximum remains invariant, demonstrating that the circuitry must actively adapt to maintain ‘focus’ during relative motion.
Ikaros mediates gene silencing in T cells through Polycomb repressive complex 2
Authors: Oravecz Attila , Apostolov Apostol , Polak Katarzyna , Jost Bernard , Le Gras Stéphanie , Chan Susan , Kastner Philippe
Published: November 2015

T-cell development is accompanied by epigenetic changes that ensure the silencing of stem cell-related genes and the activation of lymphocyte-specific programmes. How transcription factors influence these changes remains unclear. We show that the Ikaros transcription factor forms a complex with Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in CD4−CD8− thymocytes and allows its binding to more than 500 developmentally regulated loci, including those normally activated in haematopoietic stem cells and others induced by the Notch pathway. Loss of Ikaros in CD4−CD8− cells leads to reduced histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation and ectopic gene expression. Furthermore, Ikaros binding triggers PRC2 recruitment and Ikaros interacts with PRC2 independently of the nucleosome remodelling and deacetylation complex. Our results identify Ikaros as a fundamental regulator of PRC2 function in developing T cells.
Whole genome re-sequencing of date palms yields insights into diversification of a fruit tree crop
Authors: Hazzouri Khaled M. , Flowers Jonathan M. , Visser Hendrik J. , Khierallah Hussam S. M. , Rosas Ulises , Pham Gina M. , Meyer Rachel S. , Johansen Caryn K. , Fresquez Zoë A. , Masmoudi Khaled , Haider Nadia , El Kadri Nabila , Idaghdour Youssef , Malek Joel A. , Thirkhill Deborah , Markhand Ghulam S. , Krueger Robert R. , Zaid Abdelouahhab , Purugganan Michael D.
Published: November 2015

Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) are the most significant perennial crop in arid regions of the Middle East and North Africa. Here, we present a comprehensive catalogue of approximately seven million single nucleotide polymorphisms in date palms based on whole genome re-sequencing of a collection of 62 cultivars. Population structure analysis indicates a major genetic divide between North Africa and the Middle East/South Asian date palms, with evidence of admixture in cultivars from Egypt and Sudan. Genome-wide scans for selection suggest at least 56 genomic regions associated with selective sweeps that may underlie geographic adaptation. We report candidate mutations for trait variation, including nonsense polymorphisms and presence/absence variation in gene content in pathways for key agronomic traits. We also identify a copia-like retrotransposon insertion polymorphism in the R2R3 myb-like orthologue of the oil palm virescens gene associated with fruit colour variation. This analysis documents patterns of post-domestication diversification and provides a genomic resource for this economically important perennial tree crop.
IL-6 Inhibits Starvation-induced Autophagy via the STAT3/Bcl-2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Qin Beibei , Zhou Zhuo , He Jianqin , Yan Chunlan , Ding Shiping
Published: November 2015

IL-6, a pleiotropic cytokine, has been investigated for its role in regulating autophagy. Yet, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we show that IL-6 exerted anti-autophagic effects on U937 cells through the STAT3 signaling pathway in vitro. The addition of IL-6 to starved U937 cells significantly activated the phosphorylation level of STAT3 (p-STAT3) at Tyr705 and reduced the protein levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 of type II (LC3-II) and Beclin 1. By immunoblotting, we also observed a positive correlation between the p-STAT3 level and Bcl-2 level. Furthermore, treatment with a STAT3 inhibitor, LLL12, or overexpression of a mutant form, STAT3Y705F, reversed the inhibitory effect of IL-6 on autophagy. Knockdown of Beclin 1 or Atg14 by siRNA and over-expression of Beclin 1 indicated the involvement of class III PI3K complex in IL-6-mediated inhibition of autophagy. Taken together, these data indicate that IL-6 inhibits starvation-induced autophagy and that p-STAT3 mediates the signal transduction from IL-6 to downstream proteins including Bcl-2 and Beclin1.
Electrically Tunable Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) Metafilm Absorbers
Authors: Park Junghyun , Kang Ju-Hyung , Liu Xiaoge , Brongersma Mark L.
Published: November 2015

Enhancing and spectrally controlling light absorption is of great practical and fundamental importance. In optoelectronic devices consisting of layered semiconductors and metals, absorption has traditionally been manipulated with the help of Fabry-Pérot resonances. Even further control over the spectral light absorption properties of thin films has been achieved by patterning them into dense arrays of subwavelength resonant structures to form metafilms. As the next logical step, we demonstrate electrical control over light absorption in metafilms constructed from dense arrays of actively tunable plasmonic cavities. This control is achieved by embedding indium tin oxide (ITO) into these cavities. ITO affords significant tuning of its optical properties by means of electrically-induced carrier depletion and accumulation. We demonstrate that particularly large changes in the reflectance from such metafilms (up to 15% P) can be achieved by operating the ITO in the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) frequency regime where its electrical permittivity changes sign from negative to positive values.
Superinfection exclusion is absent during acute Junin virus infection of Vero and A549 cells
Authors: Gaudin Raphaël , Kirchhausen Tomas
Published: November 2015

Many viruses have evolved strategies of so-called “superinfection exclusion” to prevent re-infection of a cell that the same virus has already infected. Although Old World arenavirus infection results in down-regulation of its viral receptor and thus superinfection exclusion, whether New World arenaviruses have evolved such a mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that acute infection by the New World Junin virus (JUNV) failed to down-regulate the transferrin receptor and did not induce superinfection exclusion. We observed that Vero cells infected by a first round of JUNV (Candid1 strain) preserve an ability to internalize new incoming JUNV particles that is comparable to that of non-infected cells. Moreover, we developed a dual infection assay with the wild-type Candid1 JUNV and a recombinant JUNV-GFP virus to discriminate between first and second infections at the transcriptional and translational levels. We found that Vero and A549 cells already infected by JUNV were fully competent to transcribe viral RNA from a second round of infection. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis of viral protein expression indicated that viral translation was normal, regardless of whether cells were previously infected or not. We conclude that in acutely infected cells, Junin virus lacks a superinfection exclusion mechanism.
Photo-generated metamaterials induce modulation of CW terahertz quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Mezzapesa Francesco P. , Columbo Lorenzo L. , Rizza Carlo , Brambilla Massimo , Ciattoni Alessandro , Dabbicco Maurizio , Vitiello Miriam S. , Scamarcio Gaetano
Published: November 2015

Periodic patterns of photo-excited carriers on a semiconductor surface profoundly modifies its effective permittivity, creating a stationary all-optical quasi-metallic metamaterial. Intriguingly, one can tailor its artificial birefringence to modulate with unprecedented degrees of freedom both the amplitude and phase of a quantum cascade laser (QCL) subject to optical feedback from such an anisotropic reflector. Here, we conceive and devise a reconfigurable photo-designed Terahertz (THz) modulator and exploit it in a proof-of-concept experiment to control the emission properties of THz QCLs. Photo-exciting sub-wavelength metastructures on silicon, we induce polarization-dependent changes in the intra-cavity THz field, that can be probed by monitoring the voltage across the QCL terminals. This inherently flexible approach promises groundbreaking impact on THz photonics applications, including THz phase modulators, fast switches and active hyperbolic media.
Forager bees (Apis mellifera) highly express immune and detoxification genes in tissues associated with nectar processing
Authors: Vannette Rachel L. , Mohamed Abbas , Johnson Brian R.
Published: November 2015

Pollinators, including honey bees, routinely encounter potentially harmful microorganisms and phytochemicals during foraging. However, the mechanisms by which honey bees manage these potential threats are poorly understood. In this study, we examine the expression of antimicrobial, immune and detoxification genes in Apis mellifera and compare between forager and nurse bees using tissue-specific RNA-seq and qPCR. Our analysis revealed extensive tissue-specific expression of antimicrobial, immune signaling and detoxification genes. Variation in gene expression between worker stages was pronounced in the mandibular and hypopharyngeal gland (HPG), where foragers were enriched in transcripts that encode antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and immune response. Additionally, forager HPGs and mandibular glands were enriched in transcripts encoding detoxification enzymes, including some associated with xenobiotic metabolism. Using qPCR on an independent dataset, we verified differential expression of three AMP and three P450 genes between foragers and nurses. High expression of AMP genes in nectar-processing tissues suggests that these peptides may contribute to antimicrobial properties of honey or to honey bee defense against environmentally-acquired microorganisms. Together, these results suggest that worker role and tissue-specific expression of AMPs and immune and detoxification enzymes may contribute to defense against microorganisms and xenobiotic compounds acquired while foraging.
LKB1 Regulates Cerebellar Development by Controlling Sonic Hedgehog-mediated Granule Cell Precursor Proliferation and Granule Cell Migration
Authors: Men Yuqin , Zhang Aizhen , Li Haixiang , Jin Yecheng , Sun Xiaoyang , Li Huashun , Gao Jiangang
Published: November 2015

The Liver Kinase B1 (LKB1) gene plays crucial roles in cell differentiation, proliferation and the establishment of cell polarity. We created LKB1 conditional knockout mice (LKB1Atoh1 CKO) to investigate the function of LKB1 in cerebellar development. The LKB1Atoh1 CKO mice displayed motor dysfunction. In the LKB1Atoh1 CKO cerebellum, the overall structure had a larger volume and morelobules. LKB1 inactivationled to an increased proliferation of granule cell precursors (GCPs), aberrant granule cell migration and overproduction of unipolar brush cells. To investigate the mechanism underlying the abnormal foliation, we examined sonic hedgehog signalling (Shh) by testing its transcriptional mediators, the Gli proteins, which regulate the GCPs proliferation and cerebellar foliation during cerebellar development. The expression levels of Gli genes were significantly increased in the mutant cerebellum. In vitro assays showed that the proliferation of cultured GCPs from mutant cerebellum significantly increased, whereas the proliferation of mutant GCPs significantly decreased in the presence of a Shh inhibitor GDC-0049. Thus, LKB1 deficiency in the LKB1Atoh1 CKO mice enhanced Shh signalling, leading to the excessive GCP proliferation and the formation of extra lobules. We proposed that LKB1 regulates cerebellar development by controlling GCPs proliferation through Shh signalling during cerebellar development.
The determining factor of a preferred orientation of GaN domains grown on m-plane sapphire substrates
Authors: Jue Miyeon , Kim Cheol-Woon , Kang Seoung-Hun , Yoon Hansub , Jang Dongsoo , Kwon Young-Kyun , Kim Chinkyo
Published: November 2015

Epitaxial lateral overgrowth in tandem with the first-principles calculation was employed to investigate the determining factor of a preferred orientation of GaN on SiO2-patterned m-plane sapphire substrates. We found that the (1"Equation missing"00)-orientation is favored over the (1"Equation missing"0"Equation missing")-orientation in the region with a small filling factor of SiO2, while the latter orientation becomes preferred in the region with a large filling factor. This result suggests that the effective concentration determines the preferred orientation of GaN: the (1"Equation missing"00)- and (1"Equation missing"0"Equation missing")-orientations preferred at their low and high concentrations, respectively. Our computational study revealed that at a low coverage of Ga and N atoms, the local atomic arrangement resembles that on the (1"Equation missing"0"Equation missing") surface, although the (1"Equation missing"00) surface is more stable at their full coverage. Such a (1"Equation missing"0"Equation missing")-like atomic configuration crosses over to the local structure resembling that on the (1"Equation missing"00) surface as the coverage increases. Based on results, we determined that high effective concentration of Ga and N sources expedites the growth of the (1"Equation missing"0"Equation missing")-orientation while keeping from transition to the (1"Equation missing"00)-orientation. At low effective concentration, on the other hand, there is a sufficient time for the added Ga and N sources to rearrange the initial (1"Equation missing"0"Equation missing")-like orientation to form the (1"Equation missing"00)-orientation.
Multimodal super-resolution optical microscopy visualizes the close connection between membrane and the cytoskeleton in liver sinusoidal endothelial cell fenestrations
Authors: Mönkemöller Viola , Øie Cristina , Hübner Wolfgang , Huser Thomas , McCourt Peter
Published: November 2015

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) act as a filter between blood and the hepatocytes. LSECs are highly fenestrated cells; they contain transcellular pores with diameters between 50 to 200 nm. The small sizes of the fenestrae have so far prohibited any functional analysis with standard and advanced light microscopy techniques. Only the advent of super-resolution optical fluorescence microscopy now permits the recording of such small cellular structures. Here, we demonstrate the complementary use of two different super-resolution optical microscopy modalities, 3D structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) and single molecule localization microscopy in a common optical platform to obtain new insights into the association between the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane that supports the formation of fenestrations. We applied 3D-SIM to multi-color stained LSECs to acquire highly resolved overviews of large sample areas. We then further increased the spatial resolution for imaging fenestrations by single molecule localization microscopy applied to select small locations of interest in the same sample on the same microscope setup. We optimized the use of fluorescent membrane stains for these imaging conditions. The combination of these techniques offers a unique opportunity to significantly improve studies of subcellular ultrastructures such as LSEC fenestrations.
Size does matter: 18 amino acids at the N-terminal tip of an amino acid transporter in Leishmania determine substrate specificity
Authors: Schlisselberg Doreen , Mazarib Eldar , Inbar Ehud , Rentsch Doris , Myler Peter J. , Zilberstein Dan
Published: November 2015

Long N-terminal tails of amino acid transporters are known to act as sensors of the internal pool of amino acids and as positive regulators of substrate flux rate. In this study we establish that N-termini of amino acid transporters can also determine substrate specificity. We show that due to alternative trans splicing, the human pathogen Leishmania naturally expresses two variants of the proline/alanine transporter, one 18 amino acid shorter than the other. We demonstrate that the longer variant (LdAAP24) translocates both proline and alanine, whereas the shorter variant (∆18LdAAP24) translocates just proline. Remarkably, co-expressing the hydrophilic N-terminal peptide of the long variant with ∆18LdAAP24 was found to recover alanine transport. This restoration of alanine transport could be mediated by a truncated N-terminal tail, though truncations exceeding half of the tail length were no longer functional. Taken together, the data indicate that the first 18 amino acids of the negatively charged N-terminal LdAAP24 tail are required for alanine transport and may facilitate the electrostatic interactions of the entire negatively charged N-terminal tail with the positively charged internal loops in the transmembrane domain, as this mechanism has been shown to underlie regulation of substrate flux rate for other transporters.
Molecular Characterization of Growth Hormone-producing Tumors in the GC Rat Model of Acromegaly
Authors: Martín-Rodríguez Juan F. , Muñoz-Bravo Jose L. , Ibañez-Costa Alejandro , Fernandez-Maza Laura , Balcerzyk Marcin , Leal-Campanario Rocío , Luque Raúl M. , Castaño Justo P. , Venegas-Moreno Eva , Soto-Moreno Alfonso , Leal-Cerro Alfonso , Cano David A.
Published: November 2015

Acromegaly is a disorder resulting from excessive production of growth hormone (GH) and consequent increase of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I), most frequently caused by pituitary adenomas. Elevated GH and IGF-I levels results in wide range of somatic, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic and gastrointestinal morbidities. Subcutaneous implantation of the GH-secreting GC cell line in rats leads to the formation of tumors. GC tumor-bearing rats develop characteristics that resemble human acromegaly including gigantism and visceromegaly. However, GC tumors remain poorly characterized at a molecular level. In the present work, we report a detailed histological and molecular characterization of GC tumors using immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and imaging techniques. GC tumors display histopathological and molecular features of human GH-producing tumors, including hormone production, cell architecture, senescence activation and alterations in cell cycle gene expression. Furthermore, GC tumors cells displayed sensitivity to somatostatin analogues, drugs that are currently used in the treatment of human GH-producing adenomas, thus supporting the GC tumor model as a translational tool to evaluate therapeutic agents. The information obtained would help to maximize the usefulness of the GC rat model for research and preclinical studies in GH-secreting tumors.
Shock assisted ionization injection in laser-plasma accelerators
Authors: Thaury C. , Guillaume E. , Lifschitz A. , Ta Phuoc K. , Hansson M. , Grittani G. , Gautier J. , Goddet J.-P. , Tafzi A. , Lundh O. , Malka V.
Published: November 2015

Ionization injection is a simple and efficient method to trap an electron beam in a laser plasma accelerator. Yet, because of a long injection length, this injection technique leads generally to the production of large energy spread electron beams. Here, we propose to use a shock front transition to localize the injection. Experimental results show that the energy spread can be reduced down to 10 MeV and that the beam energy can be tuned by varying the position of the shock. This simple technique leads to very stable and reliable injection even for modest laser energy. It should therefore become a unique tool for the development of laser-plasma accelerators.
Anisotropic electronic conduction in stacked two-dimensional titanium carbide
Authors: Hu Tao , Zhang Hui , Wang Jiemin , Li Zhaojin , Hu Minmin , Tan Jun , Hou Pengxiang , Li Feng , Wang Xiaohui
Published: November 2015

Stacked two-dimensional titanium carbide is an emerging conductive material for electrochemical energy storage which requires an understanding of the intrinsic electronic conduction. Here we report the electronic conduction properties of stacked Ti3C2T2 (T = OH, O, F) with two distinct stacking sequences (Bernal and simple hexagonal). On the basis of first-principles calculations and energy band theory analysis, both stacking sequences give rise to metallic conduction with Ti 3d electrons contributing most to the conduction. The conduction is also significantly anisotropic due to the fact that the effective masses of carriers including electrons and holes are remarkably direction-dependent. Such an anisotropic electronic conduction is evidenced by the I−V curves of an individual Ti3C2T2 particulate, which demonstrates that the in-plane electrical conduction is at least one order of magnitude higher than that vertical to the basal plane.
Identifying robust communities and multi-community nodes by combining top-down and bottom-up approaches to clustering
Authors: Gaiteri Chris , Chen Mingming , Szymanski Boleslaw , Kuzmin Konstantin , Xie Jierui , Lee Changkyu , Blanche Timothy , Chaibub Neto Elias , Huang Su-Chun , Grabowski Thomas , Madhyastha Tara , Komashko Vitalina
Published: November 2015

Biological functions are carried out by groups of interacting molecules, cells or tissues, known as communities. Membership in these communities may overlap when biological components are involved in multiple functions. However, traditional clustering methods detect non-overlapping communities. These detected communities may also be unstable and difficult to replicate, because traditional methods are sensitive to noise and parameter settings. These aspects of traditional clustering methods limit our ability to detect biological communities and therefore our ability to understand biological functions. To address these limitations and detect robust overlapping biological communities, we propose an unorthodox clustering method called SpeakEasy which identifies communities using top-down and bottom-up approaches simultaneously. Specifically, nodes join communities based on their local connections, as well as global information about the network structure. This method can quantify the stability of each community, automatically identify the number of communities and quickly cluster networks with hundreds of thousands of nodes. SpeakEasy shows top performance on synthetic clustering benchmarks and accurately identifies meaningful biological communities in a range of datasets, including: gene microarrays, protein interactions, sorted cell populations, electrophysiology and fMRI brain imaging.
Synthesis of bi-phase dispersible core-shell FeAu@ZnO magneto-opto-fluorescent nanoparticles
Authors: Li Xue-Mei , Liu Hong-Ling , Liu Xiao , Fang Ning , Wang Xian-Hong , Wu Jun-Hua
Published: November 2015

Bi-phase dispersible core-shell FeAu@ZnO magneto-opto-fluorescent nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified nanoemulsion process using poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-PPO-PEO) as the surfactant. The morphology and crystal structure of the nanoparticles were studied by TEM/HRTEM and XRD. The nanoparticles manifest soft ferromagnetic and/or near superparamagnetic behavior with a small coercivity of ~19 Oe at room temperature. The corresponding magnetic hysteresis curves were elucidated by the modified Langevin equation. The FTIR study confirms the PEO-PPO-PEO molecules on the surface of the nanoparticles. The UV-vis and PL results reveal the well-behaved absorption bands including surface plasmon resonance and multiple visible fingerprint photoluminescent emissions of the nanoparticles dispersed in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents. Moreover, the processes of solvent dispersion-collection of the nanoparticles were demonstrated for application readiness of such core-shell nanostructures.
Late Eocene white pines (Pinus subgenus Strobus) from southern China
Authors: Xu Qingqing , Zhou Wenjun , Kodrul Tatiana M. , Naugolnykh Serge V. , Jin Jianhua
Published: November 2015

Fossil records indicate that the genus Pinus L. split into two subgenera by the Late Cretaceous, although subgenus Strobus (D. Don) Lemmon is less well documented than subgenus Pinus L., especially in eastern Asia. In this paper, Pinus maomingensis sp. nov. is established based on a compressed seed cone from the upper Eocene of the Maoming Basin of southern China. This species is attributed to genus Pinus, subgenus Strobus, section Quinquefoliae Duhamel, subsection Strobus Loudon based on the combination of morphological characters obtained from the cone scales, specifically from the terminal umbo, rhombic apophysis and cuticle structure. Associated fascicles of needle leaves with deciduous sheaths and bulbous bases are recognized as Pinus sp. and also represent Pinus subgenus Strobus. This new discovery from the Maoming Basin constitutes the first megafossil record of subgenus Strobus from southern China and implies that the members of this subgenus arrived in the southern region of China by the late Eocene. The extant species of subgenus Strobus are mainly distributed in northern temperate and tropical to subtropical mountainous regions. We propose that the Maoming Basin was adjacent to a mountainous region during the late Eocene.
A novel approach of high speed scratching on silicon wafers at nanoscale depths of cut
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Guo Dongming , Wang Bo , Kang Renke , Zhang Bi
Published: November 2015

In this study, a novel approach of high speed scratching is carried out on silicon (Si) wafers at nanoscale depths of cut to investigate the fundamental mechanisms in wafering of solar cells. The scratching is conducted on a Si wafer of 150 mm diameter with an ultraprecision grinder at a speed of 8.4 to 15 m/s. Single-point diamonds of a tip radius of 174, 324 and 786 nm, respectively, are used in the study. The study finds that at the onset of chip formation, an amorphous layer is formed at the topmost of the residual scratch, followed by the pristine crystalline lattice beneath. This is different from the previous findings in low speed scratching and high speed grinding, in which there is an amorphous layer at the top and a damaged layer underneath. The final width and depth of the residual scratch at the onset of chip formation measured vary from 288 to 316 nm and from 49 to 62 nm, respectively. High pressure phases are absent from the scratch at the onset of either chip or crack formation.
Recurring flood distribution patterns related to short-term Holocene climatic variability
Authors: Benito Gerardo , Macklin Mark G. , Panin Andrei , Rossato Sandro , Fontana Alessandro , Jones Anna F. , Machado Maria J. , Matlakhova Ekaterina , Mozzi Paolo , Zielhofer Christoph
Published: November 2015

Millennial- and multi-centennial scale climate variability during the Holocene has been well documented, but its impact on the distribution and timing of extreme river floods has yet to be established. Here we present a meta-analysis of more than 2000 radiometrically dated flood units to reconstruct centennial-scale Holocene flood episodes in Europe and North Africa. Our data analysis shows a general increase in flood frequency after 5000 cal. yr BP consistent with a weakening in zonal circulation over the second half of the Holocene and with an increase in winter insolation. Multi-centennial length phases of flooding in UK and central Europe correspond with periods of minimum solar irradiance, with a clear trend of increasing flood frequency over the last 1000 years. Western Mediterranean regions show synchrony of flood episodes associated with negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation that are out-of-phase with those evident within the eastern Mediterranean. This long-term flood record reveals complex but geographically highly interconnected climate-flood relationships and provides a new framework to understand likely future spatial changes of flood frequency.
Flexible navigation response in common cuckoos Cuculus canorus displaced experimentally during migration
Authors: Willemoes Mikkel , Blas Julio , Wikelski Martin , Thorup Kasper
Published: November 2015

Migrating birds follow innate species-specific migration programs capable of guiding them along complex spatio-temporal routes, which may include several separate staging areas. Indeed, migration routes of common cuckoosCuculus canorusshow little variation between individuals; yet, satellite tracks of 11 experimentally displaced adults revealed an unexpected flexibility in individual navigation responses. The birds compensated for the translocation to unfamiliar areas by travelling toward population-specific staging areas, demonstrating true navigation capabilities. Individual responses varied from travelling toward the first stopover in northern Europe to flying toward the Central-African winter grounds, the latter including several stopovers in unfamiliar areas. Apparently, the cuckoos possess spatial knowledge far beyond their population-specific flyway scale and make individual decisions likely based on an assessment of perceived gain and cost of alternative route options.
Spoof surface plasmon polaritons in terahertz transmission through subwavelength hole arrays analyzed by coupled oscillator model
Authors: Yin Shan , Lu Xinchao , Xu Ningning , Wang Shuang , E. Yiwen , Pan Xuecong , Xu Xinlong , Liu Hongyao , Chen Lu , Zhang Weili , Wang Li
Published: November 2015

Both the localized resonance and excitation of spoof surface plasmon polaritons are observed in the terahertz transmission spectra of periodic subwavelength hole arrays. Analyzing with the coupled oscillator model, we find that the terahertz transmission is actually facilitated by three successive processes: the incident terahertz field first initiates the localized oscillation around each hole and then the spoof surface plasmon polaritons are excited by the localized resonance and finally the two resonances couple and contribute to the transmission. Tailoring the localized resonance by hole size, the coupling strength between spoof surface plasmon polaritons and localized resonances is quantitatively extracted. The hole size dependent transmittance and the coupling mechanism are further confirmed by fitting the measured spectra to a modified multi-order Fano model.
Microsphere integrated microfluidic disk: synergy of two techniques for rapid and ultrasensitive dengue detection
Authors: Hosseini Samira , Aeinehvand Mohammad M. , Uddin Shah M. , Benzina Abderazak , Rothan Hussin A. , Yusof Rohana , Koole Leo H. , Madou Marc J. , Djordjevic Ivan , Ibrahim Fatimah
Published: November 2015

The application of microfluidic devices in diagnostic systems is well-established in contemporary research. Large specific surface area of microspheres, on the other hand, has secured an important position for their use in bioanalytical assays. Herein, we report a combination of microspheres and microfluidic disk in a unique hybrid platform for highly sensitive and selective detection of dengue virus. Surface engineered polymethacrylate microspheres with carefully designed functional groups facilitate biorecognition in a multitude manner. In order to maximize the utility of the microspheres’ specific surface area in biomolecular interaction, the microfluidic disk was equipped with a micromixing system. The mixing mechanism (microballoon mixing) enhances the number of molecular encounters between spheres and target analyte by accessing the entire sample volume more effectively, which subsequently results in signal amplification. Significant reduction of incubation time along with considerable lower detection limits were the prime motivations for the integration of microspheres inside the microfluidic disk. Lengthy incubations of routine analytical assays were reduced from 2 hours to 5 minutes while developed system successfully detected a few units of dengue virus. Obtained results make this hybrid microsphere-microfluidic approach to dengue detection a promising avenue for early detection of this fatal illness.
Olfaction and topography, but not magnetic cues, control navigation in a pelagic seabird: displacements with shearwaters in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Pollonara Enrica , Luschi Paolo , Guilford Tim , Wikelski Martin , Bonadonna Francesco , Gagliardo Anna
Published: November 2015

Pelagic seabirds wander the open oceans then return accurately to their habitual nest-sites. We investigated the effects of sensory manipulation on oceanic navigation in Scopoli’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) breeding at Pianosa island (Italy), by displacing them 400 km from their colony and tracking them. A recent experiment on Atlantic shearwaters (Cory’s shearwater, Calonectris borealis) breeding in the Azores indicated a crucial role of olfaction over the open ocean, but left open the question of whether birds might navigate by topographical landmark cues when available. Our experiment was conducted in the Mediterranean sea, where the availability of topographical cues may provide an alternative navigational mechanism for homing. Magnetically disturbed shearwaters and control birds oriented homeward even when the coast was not visible and rapidly homed. Anosmic shearwaters oriented in a direction significantly different from the home direction when in open sea. After having approached a coastline their flight path changed from convoluted to homeward oriented, so that most of them eventually reached home. Beside confirming that magnetic cues appear unimportant for oceanic navigation by seabirds, our results support the crucial role of olfactory cues for birds’ navigation and reveal that anosmic shearwaters are able to home eventually by following coastal features.
A novel function of the human oncogene Stil: Regulation of PC12 cell toxic susceptibility through the Shh pathway
Authors: Li Lei , Carr Aprell L. , Sun Lei , Drewing Audrey , Lee Jessica , Rao Zihe
Published: November 2015

The human oncogene SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (Stil) is highly conserved in vertebrate species. Here, we report new findings of Stil in the regulation of toxic susceptibility in mammalian dopaminergic (DA)-like PC12 cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Stil expression did not affect the survival of proliferating PC12 cells but caused a significant amount of cell death in differentiated neurons after toxic drug treatment. In contrast, overexpression of Stil increased toxic susceptibility only in proliferating cells but produced no effect in mature neurons. Exogenetic inactivation or activation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling transduction mimicked the effect of Stil knockdown or overexpression in regulation of PC12 cell toxic susceptibility, suggesting that Stil exerts its role through the Shh pathway. Together, the data provide evidence for novel functions of the human oncogene Stil in neural toxic susceptibility.
Ratiometric and colorimetric near-infrared sensors for multi-channel detection of cyanide ion and their application to measure β-glucosidase
Authors: Xing Panfei , Xu Yongqian , Li Hongjuan , Liu Shuhui , Lu Aiping , Sun Shiguo
Published: November 2015

A near-infrared sensor for cyanide ion (CN−) was developed via internal charge transfer (ICT). This sensor can selectively detect CN− either through dual-ratiometric fluorescence (logarithm of I414/I564 and I803/I564) or under various absorption (356 and 440 nm) and emission (414, 564 and 803 nm) channels. Especially, the proposed method can be employed to measure β-glucosidase by detecting CN− traces in commercial amygdalin samples.
Excess salt exacerbates blood-brain barrier disruption via a p38/MAPK/SGK1-dependent pathway in permanent cerebral ischemia
Authors: Zhang Tongshuai , Fang Shaohong , Wan Cong , Kong Qingfei , Wang Guangyou , Wang Shuangshuang , Zhang Haoqiang , Zou Haifeng , Sun Bo , Sun Wei , Zhang Yao , Mu Lili , Wang Jinghua , Wang Jing , Zhang Haiyu , Wang Dandan , Li Hulun
Published: November 2015

High salt diet (HSD) is one of the most important risk factors that contribute to many vascular diseases including ischemic stroke. One proposed mechanism underlying the disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) mediated by HSD is indirectly through enhancing blood pressure. The direct role of HSD on BBB integrity is unclear. Our purpose is to determine whether and how HSD might be involved in BBB breakdown during ischemia. To test that, we induced model of cerebral ischemia by permanent middle cerebral artery ligation (pMCAL) in either normal diet or HSD fed mice. We observed that HSD significantly enhanced ischemic brain damage which was associated with enhanced BBB disruption, increased leukocytes infiltration and loss of tight junction (TJ) proteins expression without apparently altering blood pressure. Our in vitro experiment also revealed that sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment down-regulated TJ protein expression by endothelial cells and substantially increased BBB permeability during starvation. Inhibition of p38/MAPK/SGK1 pathway eliminated the effect of NaCl on BBB permeability in vitro. In addition, we noticed a positive correlation between urinary sodium levels and ischemic lesion size in stroke patients. Together, our study demonstrates a hypertension-independent role of HSD during ischemia and provides rationale for post cerebral ischemic attack management.
A potential prognostic long non-coding RNA signature to predict metastasis-free survival of breast cancer patients
Authors: Sun Jie , Chen Xihai , Wang Zhenzhen , Guo Maoni , Shi Hongbo , Wang Xiaojun , Cheng Liang , Zhou Meng
Published: November 2015

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in a variety of biological processes and dysregulated lncRNAs have demonstrated potential roles as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer prognosis and treatment. In this study, by repurposing microarray probes, we analyzed lncRNA expression profiles of 916 breast cancer patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Nine lncRNAs were identified to be significantly associated with metastasis-free survival (MFS) in the training dataset of 254 patients using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. These nine lncRNAs were then combined to form a single prognostic signature for predicting metastatic risk in breast cancer patients that was able to classify patients in the training dataset into high- and low-risk subgroups with significantly different MFSs (median 2.4 years versus 3.0 years, log-rank test p < 0.001). This nine-lncRNA signature was similarly effective for prognosis in a testing dataset and two independent datasets. Further analysis showed that the predictive ability of the signature was independent of clinical variables, including age, ER status, ESR1 status and ERBB2 status. Our results indicated that lncRNA signature could be a useful prognostic marker to predict metastatic risk in breast cancer patients and may improve upon our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis.
Rapid bladder cancer cell detection from clinical urine samples using an ultra-thin silicone membrane
Authors: Appel Jennie H. , Ren Hao , Sin Mandy L. Y. , Liao Joseph C. , Chae Junseok
Published: November 2015

A high-throughput strategy capable of differentiating bladder cancer cells from non-cancerous cells based on their respective cellular traction forces.
Direct-growth carbon nanotubes on 3D structural microelectrodes for electrophysiological recording
Authors: Pan Alice Ian , Lin Min-Hsuan , Chung Hui-Wen , Chen Hsin , Yeh Shih-Rung , Chuang Yung-Jen , Chang Yen-Chung , Yew Tri-Rung
Published: November 2015

Direct growth of CNTs on 3D microelectrodes could detect distinguished zebrafish ECG resulting from the interfacial improvement analyzed by EIS.
Real-time imaging of cancer cell chemotaxis in paper-based scaffolds
Authors: Kenney Rachael M. , Boyce Matthew W. , Truong Andrew S. , Bagnell C. Robert , Lockett Matthew R.
Published: November 2015

An easy to assemble paper-based invasion assay to study chemotaxis of breast cancer cells in gradients of oxygen in real-time.
Detection of epinephrine and metanephrine at a nitrogen doped three-dimensional porous graphene modified electrode
Authors: Yang Qi , Zhao Yang , Bai Jie , Wu Liping , Zhang Hui-Min , Qu Liangti
Published: November 2015

A low anodic potential was obtained in the detection of epinephrine and metanephrine with a nitrogen doped three-dimensional porous graphene modified electrode.
A strategy for enhanced antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus by the assembly of alamethicin with a thermo-sensitive polymeric carrier
Authors: Dong Ping , Zhou Yuan , He Weiwei , Hua Daoben
Published: November 2015

Enhanced antibacterial activity against microbial strains is achieved by the assembly of antimicrobial peptides with a thermo-sensitive polymeric carrier.
Chemo- and regioselective reductive transposition of allylic alcohol derivatives via iridium or rhodium catalysis
Authors: Lundgren Rylan J. , Thomas Bryce N.
Published: November 2015

We report highly chemo- and regioselective reductive transpositions of methyl carbonates to furnish olefin products with complementary regioselectivity to that of established Pd-catalysis.
Regioselective modification of unprotected glycosides
Authors: Jäger Manuel , Minnaard Adriaan J.
Published: November 2015

The regioselective modification of unprotected glycosides represents shortcuts in carbohydrate chemistry and enables efficient routes to complex derivatives.
On the formation of pyridine in the interstellar medium
Authors: Parker Dorian S. N. , Kaiser Ralf I. , Kostko Oleg , Troy Tyler P. , Ahmed Musahid , Sun Bing-Jian , Chen Shih-Hua , Chang A. H. H.
Published: November 2015

The nitrogen bearing aromatic molecule pyridine (C5H5N) is revealed to form in high temperature environments simulating conditions in carbon-rich circumstellar envelopes via the reaction of the cyano vinyl radical with vinyl cyanide.
Evidence for localized moment picture in Mn-based Heusler compounds
Authors: Karel J. , Bernardi F. , Wang C. , Stinshoff R. , Born N.-O. , Ouardi S. , Burkhardt U. , Fecher G. H. , Felser C.
Published: November 2015

The Mn magnetic moment in positions with octahedral symmetry is localized and comprised completely by itinerant electrons.
Investigation of the fragmentation of core-ionised deoxyribose: a study as a function of the tautomeric form
Authors: Hervé du Penhoat Marie-Anne , Kamol Ghose Krishna , Gaigeot Marie-Pierre , Vuilleumier Rodolphe , Fujii Kentaro , Yokoya Akinari , Politis Marie-Françoise
Published: November 2015

Fragmentation dynamics following the core ionisation of isolated 2-deoxy-d-ribose by DFT-MD simulations.
Effects of polarity, hydrophobicity, and density of ionic liquids on cellulose solubility
Authors: Abe Mitsuru , Kuroda Kosuke , Sato Daiki , Kunimura Haruhito , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: November 2015

The density of ionic liquids deeply affects their cellulose dissolving ability, and hydrophobic cellulose dissolving ionic liquids were synthesised for the first time.
[18F]-Group 13 fluoride derivatives as radiotracers for positron emission tomography
Authors: Chansaenpak Kantapat , Vabre Boris , Gabbaï François. P.
Published: November 2015

This article reviews the radiofluorination chemistry of group 13 derivative as well as their use for 18F-PET Imaging.
Investigation of ZnCo2O4–Pt hybrids with different morphologies towards catalytic CO oxidation
Authors: Wang Fan , Wang Xiao , Liu Dapeng , Zhen Jiangman , Li Junqi , Zhang Hongjie
Published: November 2015

In this work, three kinds of ZnCo2O4morphologies, that is, rod, plate and sphere, have been successfully prepared and further used to support Pt nanoparticles (NPs)via in situdeposition.
Effects of boryl, phosphino, and phosphonio substituents on optical, electrochemical, and photophysical properties of 2,5-dithienylphospholes and 2-phenyl-5-thienylphospholes
Authors: Koyanagi Yoshinari , Kimura Yoshifumi , Matano Yoshihiro
Published: November 2015

The optical, electrochemical, and photophysical properties of α,α′-linked phosphole–thiophene π-systems bearing boryl, phosphino, or phosphonio groups were studied.
Molecular dynamics simulation study of various zeolitic imidazolate framework structures
Authors: Gao Min , Misquitta Alston J. , H. N. Rimmer Leila , Dove Martin T.
Published: November 2015

We report the results of a series of molecular dynamics simulations on a number of zinc zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) structures together with some lattice dynamics calculations on ZIF-4, providing information about the flexibilities of these structures.
Exploration of the mechanical behavior of metal organic frameworks UiO-66(Zr) and MIL-125(Ti) and their NH2functionalized versions
Authors: Yot Pascal. G. , Yang Ke , Ragon Florence , Dmitriev Vladimir , Devic Thomas , Horcajada Patricia , Serre Christian , Maurin Guillaume
Published: November 2015

The structural behaviour under mechanical stimuli of two metal organic frameworks, UiO-66(Zr) and MIL-125(Ti) and their amino-functionalized derivatives has been investigated by high-pressure powder X-ray diffraction up to 3.5 GPa.
Carbon for engineering of a water-oxidizing catalyst
Authors: Najafpour Mohammad Mahdi , Salimi Saeideh
Published: November 2015

Herein, we report a conductive, self-healing, recycling, highly dispersible, magnetically separable, environmentally friendly, and nano-sized water-oxidizing catalyst. Carbon has a significant role in engineering of the water-oxidizing catalyst.