bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family Structure and Child Health: Does the Sex Composition of Parents Matter?
Authors: Reczek Corinne , Spiker Russell , Liu Hui , Crosnoe Robert
Published: August 2016

The children of different-sex married couples appear to be advantaged on a range of outcomes relative to the children of different-sex cohabiting couples. Despite the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States, whether and how this general pattern extends to the children of same-sex married and cohabiting couples is unknown. This study examines this question with nationally representative data from the 2004–2013 pooled National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Results reveal that children in cohabiting households have poorer health outcomes than children in married households regardless of the sex composition of their parents. Children in same-sex and different-sex married households are relatively similar to each other on health outcomes, as are children in same-sex and different-sex cohabiting households. These patterns are not fully explained by socioeconomic differences among the four different types of families. This evidence can inform general debates about family structure and child health as well as policy interventions aiming to reduce child health disparities.
A community‐based study of menstrual beliefs in Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Wall L. Lewis , Belay Shewaye , Bayray Alemayehu , Salih Seidi , Gabrehiwot Mitiku
Published: August 2016

Objective

To investigate knowledge and beliefs about menstruation in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.

Methods

Between May 5 and May 25, 2015, a cross‐sectional survey using semi‐structured questionnaires was undertaken in 10 subdistricts (5 urban, 5 rural) in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia by trained data collectors (native speakers of the local languages). Individuals in randomly selected households who were aged 10 years or older and who were willing to participate were asked various questions regarding the nature and management of menstruation. Interviews were recorded, and handwritten field notes were taken during the interview process. Data were compiled, transcribed, translated into English, categorized, and analyzed thematically.

Results

Overall, 428 household members (349 female, 79 male) were interviewed. Reproductive anatomy and biology of menstrual regulation were poorly understood by the respondents. The belief that menstruating girls should not attend school was voiced by 17 (21.5%) male and 37 (10.6%) female respondents. Satisfactory management of menstrual hygiene was acknowledged to be a problem, and many respondents complained about the high cost of commercially produced, disposable menstrual pads.

Conclusion

Improved education on menstruation and better access to low‐cost, reusable menstrual hygiene supplies would be worthwhile in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.
New roles for CD14 and IL‐β linking inflammatory dendritic cells to IL‐17 production in memory CD4+ T cells
Authors: Ilarregui Juan M , van Beelen Astrid J , Fehres Cynthia M , Bruijns Sven C M , García‐Vallejo Juan J , van Kooyk Yvette
Published: August 2016

Interleukin (IL)‐1β has proven to be crucial in the differentiation of human and mouse Th17 cells. Although it has become evident that IL‐1β has potent IL‐17‐inducing effects on CD4+ T cells directly, it has not yet been explored whether IL‐1β can also prime dendritic cells (DCs) for a Th17 instruction program. Here, we show that human immature DCs exposed to IL‐1β promote IL‐17 production in human memory CD4+ T cells. IL‐1β‐primed DCs express high levels of CD14 that mediate IL‐17 production through direct interaction with T cells. Moreover, culturing human CD4+CD45RO+ memory T cells with soluble CD14 is sufficient for the upregulation of retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor‐γ thymus and IL‐17 production. In addition, in a human in situ model using tissue‐resident skin DCs, upregulation of CD14 expression induced by IL‐1β on skin residents DCs promotes IL‐17 production in memory T cells; strongly suggesting the in vivo relevance of this mechanism. Our findings uncover new roles for IL‐1β and CD14, and may therefore have important consequences for the development of new therapies for Th17‐mediated autoimmune diseases and bacterial and fungal pathogenic infections.
Global occurrence and heterogeneity of the Roseobacter-clade species Ruegeria mobilis
Authors: Sonnenschein Eva C , Nielsen Kristian F , D’Alvise Paul , Porsby Cisse H , Melchiorsen Jette , Heilmann Jens , Kalatzis Panos G , López-Pérez Mario , Bunk Boyke , Spröer Cathrin , Middelboe Mathias , Gram Lone
Published: August 2016

Tropodithietic acid (TDA)-producing Ruegeria mobilis strains of the Roseobacter clade have primarily been isolated from marine aquaculture and have probiotic potential due to inhibition of fish pathogens. We hypothesized that TDA producers with additional novel features are present in the oceanic environment. We isolated 42 TDA-producing R. mobilis strains during a global marine research cruise. While highly similar on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene level (99–100% identity), the strains separated into four sub-clusters in a multilocus sequence analysis. They were further differentiated to the strain level by average nucleotide identity using pairwise genome comparison. The four sub-clusters could not be associated with a specific environmental niche, however, correlated with the pattern of sub-typing using co-isolated phages, the number of prophages in the genomes and the distribution in ocean provinces. Major genomic differences within the sub-clusters include prophages and toxin-antitoxin systems. In general, the genome of R. mobilis revealed adaptation to a particle-associated life style and querying TARA ocean data confirmed that R. mobilis is more abundant in the particle-associated fraction than in the free-living fraction occurring in 40% and 6% of the samples, respectively. Our data and the TARA data, although lacking sufficient data from the polar regions, demonstrate that R. mobilis is a globally distributed marine bacterial species found primarily in the upper open oceans. It has preserved key phenotypic behaviors such as the production of TDA, but contains diverse sub-clusters, which could provide new capabilities for utilization in aquaculture.
Crowdsourced assessment of common genetic contribution to predicting anti-TNF treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Sieberts Solveig K. , Zhu Fan , García-García Javier , Stahl Eli , Pratap Abhishek , Pandey Gaurav , Pappas Dimitrios , Aguilar Daniel , Anton Bernat , Bonet Jaume , Eksi Ridvan , Fornés Oriol , Guney Emre , Li Hongdong , Marín Manuel Alejandro , Panwar Bharat , Planas-Iglesias Joan , Poglayen Daniel , Cui Jing , Falcao Andre O. , Suver Christine , Hoff Bruce , Balagurusamy Venkat S. K. , Dillenberger Donna , Neto Elias Chaibub , Norman Thea , Aittokallio Tero , Ammad-ud-din Muhammad , Azencott Chloe-Agathe , Bellón Víctor , Boeva Valentina , Bunte Kerstin , Chheda Himanshu , Cheng Lu , Corander Jukka , Dumontier Michel , Goldenberg Anna , Gopalacharyulu Peddinti , Hajiloo Mohsen , Hidru Daniel , Jaiswal Alok , Kaski Samuel , Khalfaoui Beyrem , Khan Suleiman Ali , Kramer Eric R. , Marttinen Pekka , Mezlini Aziz M. , Molparia Bhuvan , Pirinen Matti , Saarela Janna , Samwald Matthias , Stoven Véronique , Tang Hao , Tang Jing , Torkamani Ali , Vert Jean-Phillipe , Wang Bo , Wang Tao , Wennerberg Krister , Wineinger Nathan E. , Xiao Guanghua , Xie Yang , Yeung Rae , Zhan Xiaowei , Zhao Cheng ,   Members of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Challenge Consortium, Calaza Manuel , Elmarakeby Haitham , Heath Lenwood S. , Long Quan , Moore Jonathan D. , Opiyo Stephen Obol , Savage Richard S. , Zhu Jun , Greenberg Jeff , Kremer Joel , Michaud Kaleb , Barton Anne , Coenen Marieke , Mariette Xavier , Miceli Corinne , Shadick Nancy , Weinblatt Michael , de Vries Niek , Tak Paul P. , Gerlag Danielle , Huizinga Tom W. J. , Kurreeman Fina , Allaart Cornelia F. , Louis Bridges S. , Criswell Lindsey , Moreland Larry , Klareskog Lars , Saevarsdottir Saedis , Padyukov Leonid , Gregersen Peter K. , Friend Stephen , Plenge Robert , Stolovitzky Gustavo , Oliva Baldo , Guan Yuanfang , Mangravite Lara M.
Published: August 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects millions world-wide. While anti-TNF treatment is widely used to reduce disease progression, treatment fails in ∼one-third of patients. No biomarker currently exists that identifies non-responders before treatment. A rigorous community-based assessment of the utility of SNP data for predicting anti-TNF treatment efficacy in RA patients was performed in the context of a DREAM Challenge (http://www.synapse.org/RA_Challenge). An open challenge framework enabled the comparative evaluation of predictions developed by 73 research groups using the most comprehensive available data and covering a wide range of state-of-the-art modelling methodologies. Despite a significant genetic heritability estimate of treatment non-response trait (h2=0.18, P value=0.02), no significant genetic contribution to prediction accuracy is observed. Results formally confirm the expectations of the rheumatology community that SNP information does not significantly improve predictive performance relative to standard clinical traits, thereby justifying a refocusing of future efforts on collection of other data.
Urban heat islands in China enhanced by haze pollution
Authors: Cao Chang , Lee Xuhui , Liu Shoudong , Schultz Natalie , Xiao Wei , Zhang Mi , Zhao Lei
Published: August 2016

The urban heat island (UHI), the phenomenon of higher temperatures in urban land than the surrounding rural land, is commonly attributed to changes in biophysical properties of the land surface associated with urbanization. Here we provide evidence for a long-held hypothesis that the biogeochemical effect of urban aerosol or haze pollution is also a contributor to the UHI. Our results are based on satellite observations and urban climate model calculations. We find that a significant factor controlling the nighttime surface UHI across China is the urban–rural difference in the haze pollution level. The average haze contribution to the nighttime surface UHI is 0.7±0.3 K (mean±1 s.e.) for semi-arid cities, which is stronger than that in the humid climate due to a stronger longwave radiative forcing of coarser aerosols. Mitigation of haze pollution therefore provides a co-benefit of reducing heat stress on urban residents.
Heterogeneous reduction of carbon dioxide by hydride-terminated silicon nanocrystals
Authors: Sun Wei , Qian Chenxi , He Le , Ghuman Kulbir Kaur , Wong Annabelle P. Y. , Jia Jia , Ali Feysal M. , O’Brien Paul G. , Reyes Laura M. , Wood Thomas E. , Helmy Amr S. , Mims Charles A. , Singh Chandra Veer , Ozin Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2016

Silicon constitutes 28% of the earth’s mass. Its high abundance, lack of toxicity and low cost coupled with its electrical and optical properties, make silicon unique among the semiconductors for converting sunlight into electricity. In the quest for semiconductors that can make chemicals and fuels from sunlight and carbon dioxide, unfortunately the best performers are invariably made from rare and expensive elements. Here we report the observation that hydride-terminated silicon nanocrystals with average diameter 3.5 nm, denoted ncSi:H, can function as a single component heterogeneous reducing agent for converting gaseous carbon dioxide selectively to carbon monoxide, at a rate of hundreds of μmol h−1 g−1. The large surface area, broadband visible to near infrared light harvesting and reducing power of SiH surface sites of ncSi:H, together play key roles in this conversion. Making use of the reducing power of nanostructured hydrides towards gaseous carbon dioxide is a conceptually distinct and commercially interesting strategy for making fuels directly from sunlight.
Sixteen years of change in the global terrestrial human footprint and implications for biodiversity conservation
Authors: Venter Oscar , Sanderson Eric W. , Magrach Ainhoa , Allan James R. , Beher Jutta , Jones Kendall R. , Possingham Hugh P. , Laurance William F. , Wood Peter , Fekete Balázs M. , Levy Marc A. , Watson James E. M.
Published: August 2016

Human pressures on the environment are changing spatially and temporally, with profound implications for the planet’s biodiversity and human economies. Here we use recently available data on infrastructure, land cover and human access into natural areas to construct a globally standardized measure of the cumulative human footprint on the terrestrial environment at 1 km2 resolution from 1993 to 2009. We note that while the human population has increased by 23% and the world economy has grown 153%, the human footprint has increased by just 9%. Still, 75% the planet’s land surface is experiencing measurable human pressures. Moreover, pressures are perversely intense, widespread and rapidly intensifying in places with high biodiversity. Encouragingly, we discover decreases in environmental pressures in the wealthiest countries and those with strong control of corruption. Clearly the human footprint on Earth is changing, yet there are still opportunities for conservation gains.
Changes in diet quality in a randomized weight loss trial in breast cancer survivors: the lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition (LEAN) study
Authors: Anderson Chelsea , Harrigan Maura , George Stephanie M , Ferrucci Leah M , Sanft Tara , Irwin Melinda L , Cartmel Brenda
Published: August 2016

Obesity is associated with increased breast cancer recurrence and mortality. Though some post-diagnosis weight loss interventions have achieved weight loss outcomes, it is unclear whether they also improve diet quality. In the Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition (LEAN) study, overweight or obese breast cancer survivors were randomized to either usual care group (n=33) or the 6-month lifestyle intervention (n=67). Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and 6 months using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and overall diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010 (range 0–100). Intervention effects on diet were evaluated with generalized linear models. Among the 81 participants (51 intervention, 30 usual care) with dietary data, the mean baseline HEI score was 70.5 (s.d.=8.8) and was improved at 6 months (intervention group=6.8 point increase vs usual care=3.1, P=0.09). Intervention group participants achieved greater reductions in percent of energy from total fat (−4.2% vs −1.2%; P=0.013) and saturated fat (−2.2% vs −1.1%; P=0.003), and greater increases in fiber (4.8 g per 1000 kcal vs 1.3 g per 1000 kcal; P=0.007) and fruit (0.5 servings vs 0.0 servings; P=0.006) intake. Intervention group participants who lost ⩾5% body weight (n=27) demonstrated significantly greater improvements in HEI score (10.4 vs 2.8) than those who lost <5% (n=23). The intervention increased fruit and fiber intake and decreased percent energy from fat, and those with greater weight loss achieved greater increases in overall diet quality. These findings support the ability of a weight loss intervention to improve diet among breast cancer survivors.
Independent, extensible control of same-frequency superconducting qubits by selective broadcasting
Authors: Asaad Serwan , Dickel Christian , Langford Nathan K , Poletto Stefano , Bruno Alessandro , Rol Michiel Adriaan , Deurloo Duije , DiCarlo Leonardo
Published: August 2016

A critical ingredient for realising large-scale quantum information processors will be the ability to make economical use of qubit control hardware. We demonstrate an extensible strategy for reusing control hardware on same-frequency transmon qubits in a circuit QED chip with surface-code-compatible connectivity. A vector switch matrix enables selective broadcasting of input pulses to multiple transmons with individual tailoring of pulse quadratures for each, as required to minimise the effects of leakage on weakly anharmonic qubits. Using randomised benchmarking, we compare multiple broadcasting strategies that each pass the surface-code error threshold for single-qubit gates. In particular, we introduce a selective broadcasting control strategy using five pulse primitives, which allows independent, simultaneous Clifford gates on arbitrary numbers of qubits.
Pseudomonas spp. diversity is negatively associated with suppression of the wheat take-all pathogen
Authors: Mehrabi Zia , McMillan Vanessa E. , Clark Ian M. , Canning Gail , Hammond-Kosack Kim E. , Preston Gail , Hirsch Penny R. , Mauchline Tim H.
Published: August 2016

Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning research typically shows positive diversity- productivity relationships. However, local increases in species richness can increase competition within trophic levels, reducing the efficacy of intertrophic level population control. Pseudomonas spp. are a dominant group of soil bacteria that play key roles in plant growth promotion and control of crop fungal pathogens. Here we show that Pseudomonas spp. richness is positively correlated with take-all disease in wheat and with yield losses of ~3 t/ha in the field. We modeled the interactions between Pseudomonas and the take-all pathogen in abstract experimental microcosms and show that increased bacterial genotypic richness escalates bacterial antagonism and decreases the ability of the bacterial community to inhibit growth of the take-all pathogen. Future work is required to determine the generality of these negative biodiversity effects on different media and directly at infection zones on root surfaces. However, the increase in competition between bacteria at high genotypic richness and the potential loss of fungal biocontrol activity highlights an important mechanism to explain the negative Pseudomonas diversity-wheat yield relationship we observed in the field. Together our results suggest that the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning can depend on both the function and trophic level of interest.
Graphene-multiferroic interfaces for spintronics applications
Authors: Zanolli Zeila
Published: August 2016

Graphene and magnetoelectric multiferroics are promising materials for spintronic devices with high performance and low energy consumption. A very long spin diffusion length and high carrier mobility make graphene attractive for spintronics. The coupling between ferroelectricity and magnetism, which characterises magnetoelectrics, opens the way towards unique device architectures. In this work, we combine the features of both materials by investigating the interface between graphene and BaMnO3, a magnetoelectric multiferroic. We show that electron charge is transferred across the interface and magnetization is induced in the graphene sheet due to the strong interaction between C and Mn. Depending on the relative orientation of graphene and BaMnO3, a quasi-half-metal or a magnetic semiconductor can be obtained. A remarkably large proximity induced spin splitting of the Dirac cones (~300 meV) is achieved. We also show how doping with acceptors can make the high-mobility region of the electronic bands experimentally accessible. This suggests a series of possible applications in spintronics (e.g. spin filters, spin injectors) for hybrid organic-multiferroic materials and reveals hybrid organic-multiferroics as a new class of materials that may exhibit exotic phenomena such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect and a Rashba spin-orbit induced topological gap.
Asymmetry in inward- and outward-affinity constant of transport explain unidirectional lysine flux in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bianchi Frans , Klooster Joury S. van ‘t , Ruiz Stephanie J. , Luck Katja , Pols Tjeerd , Urbatsch Ina L. , Poolman Bert
Published: August 2016

The import of basic amino acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been reported to be unidirectional, which is not typical of how secondary transporters work. Since studies of energy coupling and transport kinetics are complicated in vivo, we purified the major lysine transporter (Lyp1) of yeast and reconstituted the protein into lipid vesicles. We show that the Michaelis constant (KM) of transport from out-to-in is well in the millimolar range and at least 3 to 4-orders of magnitude higher than that of transport in the opposite direction, disfavoring the efflux of solute via Lyp1. We also find that at low values of the proton motive force, the transport by Lyp1 is comparatively slow. We benchmarked the properties of eukaryotic Lyp1 to that of the prokaryotic homologue LysP and find that LysP has a similar KM for transport from in-to-out and out-to-in, consistent with rapid influx and efflux. We thus explain the previously described unidirectional nature of lysine transport in S. cerevisiae by the extraordinary kinetics of Lyp1 and provide a mechanism and rationale for previous observations. The high asymmetry in transport together with secondary storage in the vacuole allow the cell to accumulate basic amino acids to very high levels.
Murine tribbles homolog 2 deficiency affects erythroid progenitor development and confers macrocytic anemia on mice
Authors: Lin Kou-Ray , Yang-Yen Hsin-Fang , Lien Huang-Wei , Liao Wei-Hao , Huang Chang-Jen , Lin Liang-In , Li Chung-Leung , Yen Jeffrey Jong-Young
Published: August 2016

Tribbles homolog 2 (Trib2) is a member of Tribbles protein pseudokinases and involves in apoptosis, autoimmunity, cancer, leukemia and erythropoiesis, however, the physiological function of Trib2 in hematopoietic system remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that Trib2 knockout (KO) mice manifest macrocytic anemia and increase of T lymphocytes. Although Trib2 deficient RBCs have similar half-life as the control RBCs, Trib2 KO mice are highly vulnerable to oxidant-induced hemolysis. Endogenous Trib2 mRNA is expressed in early hematopoietic progenitors, erythroid precursors and lymphoid lineages, but not in mature RBCs, myeloid progenitors and granulocytes. Consistently, flow cytometric analysis and in vitro colony forming assay revealed that deletion of Trib2 mainly affected erythroid lineage development and had no effect on either granulocyte or megakaryocyte lineages in bone marrow. Furthermore, a genetic approach using double knockout of Trib2 and C/ebpα genes in mice suggested that Trib2 promotes erythropoiesis independent of C/ebpα proteins in vivo. Finally, ectopic expression of human Trib2 in zebrafish embryos resulted in increased expression of erythropoiesis-related genes and of hemoglobin. Taking all data together, our results suggest that Trib2 positively promotes early erythrocyte differentiation and is essential for tolerance to hemolysis.
Serum Galanin Levels in Young Healthy Lean and Obese Non-Diabetic Men during an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Authors: Sandoval-Alzate Héctor Fabio , Agudelo-Zapata Yessica , González-Clavijo Angélica María , Poveda Natalia E. , Espinel-Pachón Cristian Felipe , Escamilla-Castro Jorge Augusto , Márquez-Julio Heidy Lorena , Alvarado-Quintero Hernando , Rojas-Rodríguez Fabián Guillermo , Arteaga-Díaz Juan Manuel , Eslava-Schmalbach Javier Hernando , Garcés-Gutiérrez Maria Fernanda , Vrontakis Maria , Castaño Justo P. , Luque Raul M. , Diéguez Carlos , Nogueiras Rubén , Caminos Jorge E.
Published: August 2016

Galanin (GAL) is a neuropeptide involved in the homeostasis of energy metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the serum levels of GAL during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in lean and obese young men. This cross-sectional study included 30 obese non-diabetic young men (median 22 years; mean BMI 37 kg/m2) and 30 healthy lean men (median 23 years; mean BMI 22 kg/m2). Serum GAL was determined during OGTT. The results of this study include that serum GAL levels showed a reduction during OGTT compared with basal levels in the lean subjects group. Conversely, serum GAL levels increased significantly during OGTT in obese subjects. Serum GAL levels were also higher in obese non-diabetic men compared with lean subjects during fasting and in every period of the OGTT (p < 0.001). Serum GAL levels were positively correlated with BMI, total fat, visceral fat, HOMA–IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides and Leptin. A multiple regression analysis revealed that serum insulin levels at 30, 60 and 120 minutes during the OGTT is the most predictive variable for serum GAL levels (p < 0.001). In conclusion, serum GAL levels are significantly higher in the obese group compared with lean subjects during an OGTT.
Photonic microstructures for energy-generating clear glass and net-zero energy buildings
Authors: Vasiliev Mikhail , Alghamedi Ramzy , Nur-E-Alam Mohammad , Alameh Kamal
Published: August 2016

Transparent energy-harvesting windows are emerging as practical building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), capable of generating electricity while simultaneously reducing heating and cooling demands. By incorporating spectrally-selective diffraction gratings as light deflecting structures of high visible transparency into lamination interlayers and using improved spectrally-selective thin-film coatings, most of the visible solar radiation can be transmitted through the glass windows with minimum attenuation. At the same time, the ultraviolet (UV) and a part of incident solar infrared (IR) radiation energy are converted and/or deflected geometrically towards the panel edge for collection by CuInSe2 solar cells. Experimental results show power conversion efficiencies in excess of 3.04% in 10 cm × 10 cm vertically-placed clear glass panels facing direct sunlight, and up to 2.08% in 50 cm × 50 cm installation-ready framed window systems. These results confirm the emergence of a new class of solar window system ready for industrial application.
The ABC transporter YejABEF is required for resistance to antimicrobial peptides and the virulence of Brucella melitensis
Authors: Wang Zhen , Bie Pengfei , Cheng Jie , Lu Lin , Cui Buyun , Wu Qingmin
Published: August 2016

The ability to resist the killing effects of host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) plays a vital role in the virulence of pathogens. TheBrucella melitensisNI genome has a gene cluster that encodes ABC transport. In this study, we constructedyejA1,yejA2,yejB,yejE, yejFand wholeyejoperon deletion mutants, none of which exhibited discernible growth defect in TSB or minimal medium. Unlike their parental strain, the mutants showed a significantly increased sensitivity to acidic stress. The NIΔyejEand NIΔyejABEFmutants were also more sensitive thanB. melitensisNI to polymyxin B and the expression ofyejoperon genes was induced by polymyxin B. Moreover, cell and mouse infection assays indicated that NIΔyejEand NIΔyejABEFhave restricted invasion and replication abilities inside macrophages and are rapidly cleared from the spleens of infected mice. These findings indicate that the ABC transporter YejABEF is required for the virulence ofBrucella, suggesting that resistance to host antimicrobials is a key mechanism forBrucellato persistently survivein vivo. This study provided insights that led us to further investigate the potential correlation of AMP resistance with the mechanisms of immune escape and persistent infection by pathogens.
All-optical analog comparator
Authors: Li Pu , Yi Xiaogang , Liu Xianglian , Zhao Dongliang , Zhao Yongpeng , Wang Yuncai
Published: August 2016

An analog comparator is one of the core units in all-optical analog-to-digital conversion (AO-ADC) systems, which digitizes different amplitude levels into two levels of logical ‘1’ or ‘0’ by comparing with a defined decision threshold. Although various outstanding photonic ADC approaches have been reported, almost all of them necessitate an electrical comparator to carry out this binarization. The use of an electrical comparator is in contradiction to the aim of developing all-optical devices. In this work, we propose a new concept of an all-optical analog comparator and numerically demonstrate an implementation based on a quarter-wavelength-shifted distributed feedback laser diode (QWS DFB-LD) with multiple quantum well (MQW) structures. Our results show that the all-optical comparator is very well suited for true AO-ADCs, enabling the whole digital conversion from an analog optical signal (continuous-time signal or discrete pulse signal) to a binary representation totally in the optical domain. In particular, this all-optical analog comparator possesses a low threshold power (several mW), high extinction ratio (up to 40 dB), fast operation rate (of the order of tens of Gb/s) and a step-like transfer function.
HIV-1 Vpr reactivates latent HIV-1 provirus by inducing depletion of class I HDACs on chromatin
Authors: Romani Bizhan , Kamali Jamil Razieh , Hamidi-Fard Mojtaba , Rahimi Pooneh , Momen Seyed Bahman , Aghasadeghi Mohammad Reza , Allahbakhshi Elham
Published: August 2016

HIV-1 Vpr is an accessory protein that induces proteasomal degradation of multiple proteins. We recently showed that Vpr targets class I HDACs on chromatin for proteasomal degradation. Here we show that Vpr induces degradation of HDAC1 and HDAC3 in HIV-1 latently infected J-Lat cells. Degradation of HDAC1 and HDAC3 was also observed on the HIV-1 LTR and as a result, markers of active transcription were recruited to the viral promoter and induced viral activation. Knockdown of HDAC1 and HDAC3 activated the latent HIV-1 provirus and complementation with HDAC3 inhibited Vpr-induced HIV-1 reactivation. Viral reactivation and degradation of HDAC1 and HDAC3 was conserved among Vpr proteins of HV-1 group M. Serum Vpr isolated from patients or the release of virion-incorporated Vpr from viral lysates also activated HIV-1 in latently infected cell lines and PBMCs from HIV-1 infected patients. Our results indicate that Vpr counteracts HIV-1 latency by inducing proteasomal degradation of HDAC1 and 3 leading to reactivation of the viral promoter.
Pregnane X Receptor Regulates Pathogen-Induced Inflammation and Host Defense against an Intracellular Bacterial Infection through Toll-like Receptor 4
Authors: Qiu Zhijuan , Cervantes Jorge L. , Cicek Basak B. , Mukherjee Subhajit , Venkatesh Madhukumar , Maher Leigh A. , Salazar Juan C. , Mani Sridhar , Khanna Kamal M.
Published: August 2016

The nuclear pregnane X receptor (PXR) plays a central role in regulating xenobiotic metabolism. We now report a novel role for PXR as a critical negative regulator of innate immunity after infection. Pxr−/− mice exhibited remarkably elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production following infection with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). Despite the more robust innate immune response, Pxr−/− mice were highly susceptible to Lm infection. Surprisingly, disruption of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) but not TLR2 signaling restored the inflammation to normal levels and the ability to clear Lm in Pxr−/− mice. Mechanistically, the heightened inflammation in Pxr−/− mice resulted in the death of inflammatory monocytes that led to the enhanced susceptibility to Lm infection. These data demonstrated that PXR regulated pathogen-induced inflammation and host defense against Lm infection through modulating the TLR4 pathway. In summary, we discovered an apical role for PXR in regulating innate immunity. In addition, we uncovered a remarkable negative impact of the TLR4 pathway in controlling the quality of the inflammatory response and host defense against a gram-positive bacterial infection.
Inputs to prefrontal cortex support visual recognition in the aging brain
Authors: Gilbert Jessica R. , Moran Rosalyn J.
Published: August 2016

Predictive coding models of brain function propose that top-down cortical signals promote efficient neural codes by carrying predictions of upcoming sensory events. We hypothesized that older brains would employ these codes more prominently given their longer repertoire of sensory experience. We measured the connectivity underlying stimulus-evoked responses in cortical visual networks using electroencephalography and dynamic causal modeling and found that in young adults with reported normal or corrected-to-normal vision, signals propagated from early visual regions and reverberated along reciprocal connections to temporal, parietal and frontal cortices, while in contrast, the network was driven by both early visual and prefrontal inputs in older adults with reported normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Previously thought of as exceptions to the rule of bottom-up signal propagation, our results demonstrate a prominent role for prefrontal inputs in driving vision in aged brains in line with lifespan-dependent predictive neural codes.
Staircase Quantum Dots Configuration in Nanowires for Optimized Thermoelectric Power
Authors: Li Lijie , Jiang Jian-Hua
Published: August 2016

The performance of thermoelectric energy harvesters can be improved by nanostructures that exploit inelastic transport processes. One prototype is the three-terminal hopping thermoelectric device where electron hopping between quantum-dots are driven by hot phonons. Such three-terminal hopping thermoelectric devices have potential in achieving high efficiency or power via inelastic transport and without relying on heavy-elements or toxic compounds. We show in this work how output power of the device can be optimized via tuning the number and energy configuration of the quantum-dots embedded in parallel nanowires. We find that the staircase energy configuration with constant energy-step can improve the power factor over a serial connection of a single pair of quantum-dots. Moreover, for a fixed energy-step, there is an optimal length for the nanowire. Similarly for a fixed number of quantum-dots there is an optimal energy-step for the output power. Our results are important for future developments of high-performance nanostructured thermoelectric devices.
Transcriptome and proteome characterization of surface ectoderm cells differentiated from human iPSCs
Authors: Qu Ying , Zhou Bo , Yang Wei , Han Bingchen , Yu-Rice Yi , Gao Bowen , Johnson Jeffery , Svendsen Clive N. , Freeman Michael R. , Giuliano Armando E. , Sareen Dhruv , Cui Xiaojiang
Published: August 2016

Surface ectoderm (SE) cells give rise to structures including the epidermis and ectodermal associated appendages such as hair, eye and the mammary gland. In this study, we validate a protocol that utilizes BMP4 and the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT to induce SE differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). hiPSC-differentiated SE cells expressed markers suggesting their commitment to the SE lineage. Computational analyses using integrated quantitative transcriptomic and proteomic profiling reveal that TGFβ superfamily signaling pathways are preferentially activated in SE cells compared with hiPSCs. SE differentiation can be enhanced by selectively blocking TGFβ-RI signaling. We also show that SE cells and neural ectoderm cells possess distinct gene expression patterns and signaling networks as indicated by functional Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Our findings advance current understanding of early human SE cell development and pave the way for modeling of SE-derived tissue development, studying disease pathogenesis and development of regenerative medicine approaches.
Indoxyl sulfate potentiates skeletal muscle atrophy by inducing the oxidative stress-mediated expression of myostatin and atrogin-1
Authors: Enoki Yuki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Arake Riho , Sugimoto Ryusei , Imafuku Tadashi , Tominaga Yuna , Ishima Yu , Kotani Shunsuke , Nakajima Makoto , Tanaka Motoko , Matsushita Kazutaka , Fukagawa Masafumi , Otagiri Masaki , Maruyama Toru
Published: August 2016

Skeletal muscle atrophy, referred to as sarcopenia, is often observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, especially in patients who are undergoing hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether uremic toxins are involved in CKD-related skeletal muscle atrophy. Among six protein-bound uremic toxins, indole containing compounds, indoxyl sulfate (IS) significantly inhibited proliferation and myotube formation in C2C12 myoblast cells. IS increased the factors related to skeletal muscle breakdown, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-β1) in C2C12 cells. IS also enhanced the production of muscle atrophy-related genes, myostatin and atrogin-1. These effects induced by IS were suppressed in the presence of an antioxidant or inhibitors of the organic anion transporter and aryl hydrocarbon receptor. The administered IS was distributed to skeletal muscle and induced superoxide production in half-nephrectomized (1/2 Nx) mice. The chronic administration of IS significantly reduced the body weights accompanied by skeletal muscle weight loss. Similar to the in vitro data, IS induced the expression of myostatin and atrogin-1 in addition to increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines by enhancing oxidative stress in skeletal muscle. These data suggest that IS has the potential to accelerate skeletal muscle atrophy by inducing oxidative stress-mediated myostatin and atrogin-1 expression.
Direct visualization of the modulated field distribution along single gold nanowires by differential interference contrast microscopy
Authors: Ha Ji Won
Published: August 2016

DIC microscopy enables us to visualize the modulated field distribution along single gold nanowires.
Bottom-up fabrication of artery-mimicking tubular co-cultures in collagen-based microchannel scaffolds
Authors: Tan A. , Fujisawa K. , Yukawa Y. , Matsunaga Y. T.
Published: August 2016

A simple yet versatile needle-based fabrication platform to design an arteriole-like and an artery-like tissue model within a PDMS-hosted collagen scaffold.
Copper(i)-catalyzed radical decarboxylative imidation of carboxylic acids with N-fluoroarylsulfonimides
Authors: Fang Zhongxue , Feng Yu , Dong Hai , Li Dashan , Tang Tiandi
Published: August 2016

An efficient copper-catalyzed radical decarboxylative imidation reaction is presented.
Amine–boranes bearing borane-incompatible functionalities: application to selective amine protection and surface functionalization
Authors: Veeraraghavan Ramachandran P. , Kulkarni Ameya S. , Zhao Yan , Mei Jianguo
Published: August 2016

The first general open-flask synthesis of amine–boranes with inexpensive and readily available reagents, such as sodium borohydride, sodium bicarbonate, water, and the desired amines is described.
Towards understanding the kinetic behaviour and limitations in photo-induced copper(i) catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions
Authors: El-Zaatari Bassil M. , Shete Abhishek U. , Adzima Brian J. , Kloxin Christopher J.
Published: August 2016

The kinetics of the photo-CuAAC reaction were studied in various systems (monofunctional and polymer), providing new mechanistic and behavioral insight.
Lanthanide contraction for helicity fine-tuning and helix-winding control of single-helical metal complexes
Authors: Sairenji Shiho , Akine Shigehisa , Nabeshima Tatsuya
Published: August 2016

Lanthanide contraction was used for helicity fine-tuning and helix winding control of single-helical tetranuclear complexes LZn3Ln (Ln = La–Lu).
Aggregation-enhanced emission active tetraphenylbenzene-cored efficient blue light emitter
Authors: Li Lingzhi , Nie Han , Chen Ming , Sun Jingzhi , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: August 2016

A tetraphenylbenzene (TPB) cored luminophore of TPB-AC with aggregation-enhanced emission characteristics was designed and synthesized. TPB-AC could be potentially applied for the fabrication of high performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with blue light emission.
Miniaturized soft bio-hybrid robotics: a step forward into healthcare applications
Authors: Patino T. , Mestre R. , Sánchez S.
Published: August 2016

In this Focus article we will discuss some of the recent advances in bio-inspired materials and bio-hybrid systems for soft robotics applications in biomedicine.
Hydrogen bonding vs. molecule–surface interactions in 2D self-assembly of [C60]fullerenecarboxylic acids
Authors: Mezour Mohamed A. , Choueiri Rachelle M. , Lukoyanova Olena , Lennox R. Bruce , Perepichka Dmitrii F.
Published: August 2016

Pentafluorobenzenethiol SAM stabilizes fullerenecarboxylic acids at a solid–liquid interface enabling their STM imaging as individual clusters at room temperature.
Phosphorylated cyclopropanes in the synthesis of α-alkylidene-γ-butyrolactones: total synthesis of (±)-savinin, (±)-gadain and (±)-peperomin E
Authors: Lloyd Matthew G. , Taylor Richard J. K. , Unsworth William P.
Published: August 2016

A novel telescoped cyclopropanation/reductive ring-opening/olefination sequence is reported for the synthesis of α-alkylidene-γ-butyrolactone natural products.
Self-assembly of AB diblock copolymer solutions confined in cylindrical nanopores
Authors: Sheng Yuping , Zhu Yutian , Jiang Wei , Dong Zeyuan
Published: August 2016

The self-assembly of AB diblock copolymer solutions confined in a cylindrical nanopore is investigated systematically via Monte Carlo simulations.
An ambipolar azaacene as a stable photocathode for metal-free light-driven water reduction
Authors: Gu Pei-Yang , Wang Zilong , Xiao Fang-Xing , Lin Zongqiong , Song Rongbin , Xu Qing-Feng , Lu Jian-Mei , Liu Bin , Zhang Qichun
Published: August 2016

A new ambipolar azaacene has been employed as a photocathode in PEC cells with a current density of 0.13 mA cm−2at −0.13 VversusRHE.
Monolithic hierarchical gold sponges for efficient and stable catalysis in a continuous-flow microreactor
Authors: Yu You , Xiao Wenqing , Zhou Tongtong , Zhang Ping , Yan Casey , Zheng Zijian
Published: August 2016

A monolithic hierarchical Au sponge is prepared by the polymer-assisted metal deposition method, showing excellent catalysis in intermittent and continuous-flow fashions.
Non-stabilized enolates – versatile nucleophiles in transition metal-catalysed allylic alkylations
Authors: Kazmaier Uli
Published: August 2016

This review covers new developments in the transition metal-catalyzed allylic alkylations of non-stabilized enolates, preferentially generated from ketone, esters or amides.
Response surface methodology as an efficient tool for optimizing the Fischer–Tropsch process over a novel Fe–Mn nano catalyst
Authors: Sedighi B. , Feyzi M. , Joshaghani M.
Published: August 2016

A novel Fe–Mn–resol/SiO2 nano-catalyst with improved surface area and porosity was prepared and used in the Fischer–Tropsch process.
The influence of protonation on the structure and spectral properties of porphine: UV-vis, 1H NMR and ab initio studies
Authors: Zakavi Saeed , Omidyan Reza , Talebzadeh Sadegh
Published: August 2016

Protonation of porphine with weak and strong acids in different solvents and concomitant UV-vis and 1H NMR spectral changes are reported. The optimized structure of the dication was obtained from ab initio calculations.
Facile synthesis of carbon nanoparticles/graphene composites derived from biomass resources and their application in lithium ion batteries
Authors: Xing Hongxia , Zhang Feng , Lu Yonggang , Zhai Bin , Zhai Shangru , An Qingda , Yu Changshun
Published: August 2016

Carbon nanoparticles/graphene composites have been prepared from a popular and readily available biomasses sodium alginate as raw materials. Commercial quartz sand was used as reusable substrate in this experiment.
Effect of static magnetic field on the performances of and anode biofilms in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Zhao Y. N. , Li X. F. , Ren Y. P. , Wang X. H.
Published: August 2016

The electricity production and substrate removal rate of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) could be improved by the application of a static magnetic field (SMF).
Highly stable MIL-101(Cr) doped water permeable thin film nanocomposite membranes for water treatment
Authors: Xu Yuan , Gao Xueli , Wang Qun , Wang Xinyan , Ji Zhiyong , Gao Congjie
Published: August 2016

Highly stable water permeable thin film MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposite membranes for water treatment were created via in situ interfacial polymerization.
Heterogeneous Fenton-like oxidation of petrochemical wastewater using a magnetically separable catalyst (MNPs@C): process optimization, reaction kinetics and degradation mechanisms
Authors: Kakavandi Babak , Babaei Ali Akbar
Published: August 2016

MNPs@C magnetic composite was synthesized and applied as a heterogeneous catalyst in the Fenton oxidation for PCW treatment. The organic compounds were degraded by the ˙OH radicals released from decomposition of H2O2 in the presence of MNPs@C.
Bridging surface states and current–potential response over hematite-based photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Wang Zhiliang , Fan Fengtao , Wang Shengyang , Ding Chunmei , Zhao Yongle , Li Can
Published: August 2016

The relation between surface states and the photoresponse on a hematite photoanode unraveled in electrochemical way indicates that the distribution of surface states determines the current–potential curves.
Design and synthesis of sugar-benzohydrazides: low molecular weight organogelators
Authors: Soundarajan Kamalakannan , Periyasamy Rathinam , Mohan Das Thangamuthu
Published: August 2016

A novel class of methyltriglycol benzohydrazide based N-glycosylamines containing long alkyl chain derivatives were synthesized in good yield and characterized using NMR (1H and 13C) spectral analysis.
Guided inquiry in a biochemistry laboratory course improves experimental design ability
Authors: Goodey Nina M. , Talgar Cigdem P.
Published: August 2016

Many biochemistry laboratory courses expose students to laboratory techniques through pre-determined experiments in which students follow stepwise protocols provided by the instructor. This approach fails to provide students with sufficient opportunities to practice experimental design and critical thinking. Ten inquiry modules were created for a one-semester undergraduate biochemistry laboratory course; these are freely available on the project website. A slightly modified version of the Experimental Design Ability Test (EDAT) was used to assess the impact of inquiry-based learning on student experimental design ability in four experimental (inquiry) and four control (cookbook) sections. EDAT is a published tool that has been validated for use in undergraduate populations. The results, measured by pre- and post-tests, showed a significant positive impact on the experimental design ability of students in sections that employed the inquiry approach, when compared to those in control sections that employed the cookbook approach. A follow-up conversation with students in a sequel course suggested that the inquiry-based approach also benefited students by promoting self-directed learning.
Sizing the role of London dispersion in the dissociation of all-meta tert-butyl hexaphenylethane
Authors: Rösel Sören , Balestrieri Ciro , Schreiner Peter R.
Published: August 2016

The structure and dynamics of enigmatic hexa(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)ethane was characterized via NMR spectroscopy for the first time.
Enhanced ideal strength of thermoelectric half-Heusler TiNiSn by sub-structure engineering
Authors: Li Guodong , An Qi , Aydemir Umut , Goddard III William A. , Wood Max , Zhai Pengcheng , Zhang Qingjie , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: August 2016

In realistic applications, high strength, high toughness TiNiSn based TE devices are required.
Solution-processed small molecules with ethynylene bridges for highly efficient organic solar cells
Authors: Kan Yuanyuan , Liu Chang , Zhang Lianjie , Gao Ke , Liu Feng , Chen Junwu , Cao Yong
Published: August 2016

Inserting ethynylene bridges in conjugated molecules can enhance high open-circuit voltage and fill factors to improve photovoltaic performances in organic solar cells.
Engineered superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for ultra-enhanced uranium separation and sensing
Authors: Li Wenlu , Mayo John T. , Benoit Denise N. , Troyer Lyndsay D. , Lewicka Zuzanna A. , Lafferty Brandon J. , Catalano Jeffrey G. , Lee Seung Soo , Colvin Vicki L. , Fortner John D.
Published: August 2016

Monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles for uranium sorption, separation, and low-level sensing using a handheld Gieger counter.
Using confined carbonate crystals for the fabrication of nanosized metal oxide@carbon with superior lithium storage capacity
Authors: Cheng Fei , Li Wen-Cui , Lu An-Hui
Published: August 2016

A new method is proposed for the fabrication of high-performance nanosized MnO@C, CoO/Co3O4@C, and Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3@C in a self-generated soft oxidizing atmosphere.