bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeing Central African forests through their largest trees
Authors: Bastin J.-F. , Barbier N. , Réjou-Méchain M. , Fayolle A. , Gourlet-Fleury S. , Maniatis D. , de Haulleville T. , Baya F. , Beeckman H. , Beina D. , Couteron P. , Chuyong G. , Dauby G. , Doucet J.-L. , Droissart V. , Dufrêne M. , Ewango C. , Gillet J.F. , Gonmadje C.H. , Hart T. , Kavali T. , Kenfack D. , Libalah M. , Malhi Y. , Makana J.-R. , Pélissier R. , Ploton P. , Serckx A. , Sonké B. , Stevart T. , Thomas D.W. , De Cannière C. , Bogaert J.
Published: August 2015

Large tropical trees and a few dominant species were recently identified as the main structuring elements of tropical forests. However, such result did not translate yet into quantitative approaches which are essential to understand, predict and monitor forest functions and composition over large, often poorly accessible territories. Here we show that the above-ground biomass (AGB) of the whole forest can be predicted from a few large trees and that the relationship is proved strikingly stable in 175 1-ha plots investigated across 8 sites spanning Central Africa. We designed a generic model predicting AGB with an error of 14% when based on only 5% of the stems, which points to universality in forest structural properties. For the first time in Africa, we identified some dominant species that disproportionally contribute to forest AGB with 1.5% of recorded species accounting for over 50% of the stock of AGB. Consequently, focusing on large trees and dominant species provides precise information on the whole forest stand. This offers new perspectives for understanding the functioning of tropical forests and opens new doors for the development of innovative monitoring strategies.
Facing the environment: onset and development of UV markings in young fish
Authors: Gagliano Monica , Depczynski Martial , Siebeck Ulrike E.
Published: August 2015

Most colour patterns in animals represent an elegant compromise between conspicuousness to ensure effective communication with preferred receivers and camouflage to avoid attracting the attention of unwanted predators. Many species, including several coral reef fishes, overcome this conflict by using ultraviolet (UV) colouration and signalling, as these colours are visible only over short distances and are often invisible to their predators. Despite a great interest in their behavioural significance and ecological influence on survival, little is known about when these colours first develop on the bodies of free-living animals. Here we show for the first time that the UV facial patterns of a coral reef fish do not develop in captivity but only when juveniles experience the socio-behavioural conditions of their natural environment. Using field and laboratory experiments, we determined that the onset and early development of these UV facial markings did not occur at metamorphosis. Instead, juveniles developed the UV markings during their first two weeks on the reef. Exposure to different reef environments revealed significant plasticity in the development of these markings. The direct or indirect (through intraspecific interactions) exposure to predators is a likely candidate trigger for the plastic development of these UV markings in the wild.
In vivo micro-scale tomography of ciliary behavior in the mammalian oviduct
Authors: Wang Shang , Burton Jason C. , Behringer Richard R. , Larina Irina V.
Published: August 2015

Motile cilia in the mammalian oviduct play a key role in reproduction, such as transporting fertilized oocytes to the uterus for implantation. Due to their small size (~5–10 μm in length and ~300 nm in diameter), live visualization of cilia and their activity in the lumen of the oviduct through tissue layers represents a major challenge not yet overcome. Here, we report a functional low-coherence optical imaging technique that allows in vivo depth-resolved mapping of the cilia location and cilia beat frequency (CBF) in the intact mouse oviduct with micro-scale spatial resolution. We validate our approach with widely-used microscopic imaging methods, present the first in vivo mapping of the oviduct CBF in its native context and demonstrate the ability of this approach to differentiate CBF in different locations of the oviduct at different post-conception stages. This technique opens a range of opportunities for live studies in reproductive medicine as well as other areas focused on cilia activity and related ciliopathies.
Functional Analysis and Characterization of Differential Coexpression Networks
Authors: Hsu Chia-Lang , Juan Hsueh-Fen , Huang Hsuan-Cheng
Published: August 2015

Differential coexpression analysis is emerging as a complement to conventional differential gene expression analysis. The identified differential coexpression links can be assembled into a differential coexpression network (DCEN) in response to environmental stresses or genetic changes. Differential coexpression analyses have been successfully used to identify condition-specific modules; however, the structural properties and biological significance of general DCENs have not been well investigated. Here, we analyzed two independent Saccharomyces cerevisiae DCENs constructed from large-scale time-course gene expression profiles in response to different situations. Topological analyses show that DCENs are tree-like networks possessing scale-free characteristics, but not small-world. Functional analyses indicate that differentially coexpressed gene pairs in DCEN tend to link different biological processes, achieving complementary or synergistic effects. Furthermore, the gene pairs lacking common transcription factors are sensitive to perturbation and hence lead to differential coexpression. Based on these observations, we integrated transcriptional regulatory information into DCEN and identified transcription factors that might cause differential coexpression by gain or loss of activation in response to different situations. Collectively, our results not only uncover the unique structural characteristics of DCEN but also provide new insights into interpretation of DCEN to reveal its biological significance and infer the underlying gene regulatory dynamics.
BDNF promoter methylation and genetic variation in late-life depression
Authors: Januar V , Ancelin M-L , Ritchie K , Saffery R , Ryan J
Published: August 2015

The regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is important for depression pathophysiology and epigenetic regulation of the BDNF gene may be involved. This study investigated whether BDNF methylation is a marker of depression. One thousand and twenty-four participants were recruited as part of a longitudinal study of psychiatric disorders in general population elderly (age⩾65). Clinical levels of depression were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder IV criteria, and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for assessment of moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Buccal DNA methylation at the two most widely studied BDNF promoters, I and IV, was investigated using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform that allows high-throughput investigation of methylation at individual CpG sites within defined genomic regions. In multivariate linear regression analyses adjusted for a range of participant characteristics including antidepressant use, depression at baseline, as well as chronic late-life depression over the 12-year follow-up, were associated with overall higher BDNF methylation levels, with two sites showing significant associations (promoter I, Δ mean=0.4%, P=0.0002; promoter IV, Δ mean=5.4%, P=0.021). Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs6265, rs7103411 and rs908867) were also found to modify the association between depression and promoter I methylation. As one of the largest epigenetic studies of depression, and the first investigating BDNF methylation in buccal tissue, our findings highlight the potential for buccal BDNF methylation to be a biomarker of depression.
The use of statins for the treatment of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Kim S W , Bae K Y , Kim J M , Shin I S , Hong Y J , Ahn Y , Jeong M H , Berk M , Yoon J S
Published: August 2015

This study aimed to investigate the effect of statins for the treatment of depression in individuals with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We used 1-year follow-up data of a 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of escitalopram and a naturalistic prospective observational cohort study. Of 446 participants with comorbid depressive disorders and ACS at baseline, 300 participated in a randomised escitalopram trial and the remaining 146 participated in a naturalistic observational study. The participants in the two studies were approached for a 1-year follow-up investigation. Treatment response rates, defined as a ⩾50% reduction in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, were used as the outcome variables. In the escitalopram trial, both HAM-D and BDI response rates were highest in patients taking escitalopram and statins together and lowest in patients receiving neither medication. Logistic regression analyses revealed that statin use was significantly associated with higher response rates on both the HAM-D and BDI at 1 year, whereas no such associations were found for escitalopram. In the naturalistic observational study, the response rates at 1 year did not differ significantly by statin use. Instead, the HAM-D response rate was significantly higher in patients taking lipophilic statins than in those who did not. In conclusion, statins may be effective for the treatment of depression independent of medical status and escitalopram use, and they may potentiate the antidepressant action of serotonergic antidepressants in patients with ACS.
A comparative study of three different nucleic acid amplification techniques combined with microchip electrophoresis for HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA detection
Authors: Liu Quanli , Lin Xuexia , Lin Luyao , Yi Linglu , Li Haifang , Lin Jin-Ming
Published: August 2015

The development of a high-throughput and automatic system by combining gene amplification with MCE for HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA screening is reported.
Comment on ‘Fluorescence sensing of arsenate at nanomolar level in a greener way: naphthalene based probe for living cell imaging’
Authors: Liu Yuanli , Trogler William C.
Published: August 2015

The naphthalene based probe (NAPSAL) described in the entitled communication is not stable in water, and therefore NAPSAL is unsuitable as an aqueous arsenate sensor.
The chemical origin of the p-type and n-type doping effects in the hybrid methylammonium–lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite solar cells
Authors: Frolova Lyubov A. , Dremova Nadezhda N. , Troshin Pavel A.
Published: August 2015

A field-induced and photoinduced self-doping chemistry of the MAPbI3 perovskite films affecting their photovoltaic performance and stability is proposed.
A 1D anionic coordination polymer showing superior Congo Red sorption and its dye composite exhibiting remarkably enhanced photocurrent response
Authors: Wu Bing , Zhang Wen-Hua , Ren Zhi-Gang , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: August 2015

A 1D coordination polymer, [Zn(1,2,3-BTA)(H2O)]·(H2L)0.5·2H2O, shows superior Congo red sorption and its dye composite demonstrates significantly amplified photocurrent responses.
Bulged Invader probes: activated duplexes for mixed-sequence dsDNA recognition with improved thermodynamic and kinetic profiles
Authors: Guenther Dale C. , Karmakar Saswata , Hrdlicka Patrick J.
Published: August 2015

Invader probes with nonyl bulges at specific positions display more highly affine (>5-fold), faster (>4-fold) and more persistent dsDNA recognition than conventional Invader probes.
Complexation dynamics of CH3SCN and Li+ in acetonitrile studied by two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Kwon YoungAh , Park Sungnam
Published: August 2015

A chemical exchange 2DIR study of ion–molecule complexation dynamics in electrolyte solutions.
Plasma induced tungsten doping of TiO2 particles for enhancement of photocatalysis under visible light
Authors: Ishida Yohei , Motokane Yasutomo , Tokunaga Tomoharu , Yonezawa Tetsu
Published: August 2015

Microwave-induced plasma technique for the modification of TiO2 particles to obtain a visible-light responsive photocatalyst.
Building solids inside nano-space: from confined amorphous through confined solvate to confined ‘metastable’ polymorph
Authors: Nartowski K. P. , Tedder J. , Braun D. E. , Fábián L. , Khimyak Y. Z.
Published: August 2015

The detailed structural analysis and the control of solid state transformations of encapsulated pharmaceutical molecules inside the pores of mesoporous silicas are demonstrated.
Electrodeposition of Pt nanostructures with reproducible SERS activity and superhydrophobicity
Authors: Choi Suhee , Kweon Suji , Kim Jongwon
Published: August 2015

A simple one-step electrodeposition of nanostructured Pt structures exhibiting both reproducible SERS activity and superhydrophobicity was demonstrated.
Emissive Ir(iii) complexes bearing thienylamido groups on a 1,10-phenanthroline scaffold
Authors: Howarth Ashlee J. , Majewski Marek B. , Brown Christopher M. , Lelj Francesco , Wolf Michael O. , Patrick Brian O.
Published: August 2015

Highly emissive cyclometallated Ir(iii) complexes bearing phenanthroline-based ancillary ligands are presented and the effect of tethered thiophene moieties on the photophysical properties is explored.
Nanotechnology enabled rechargeable Li–SO2 batteries: another approach towards post-lithium-ion battery systems
Authors: Jeong Goojin , Kim Hansu , Park Jong Hwan , Jeon Jaehwan , Jin Xing , Song Juhye , Kim Bo-Ram , Park Min-Sik , Kim Ji Man , Kim Young-Jun
Published: August 2015

Recent achievements in the nanotechnology show the full potential of Li–SO2 rechargeable batteries to be regarded as an alternative to the currently used LIBs.
Nonaqueous redox-flow batteries: organic solvents, supporting electrolytes, and redox pairs
Authors: Gong Ke , Fang Qianrong , Gu Shuang , Li Sam Fong Yau , Yan Yushan
Published: August 2015

As members of the redox-flow battery (RFB) family, nonaqueous RFBs can offer a wide range of working temperature, high cell voltage, and potentially high energy density.
Preparation and characterization of primary magnesium mixtures for the ab initio calibration of absolute magnesium isotope ratio measurements
Authors: Brandt Björn , Vogl Jochen , Noordmann Janine , Kaltenbach Angela , Rienitz Olaf
Published: August 2015

Isotope mixtures for the ab initio-calibration of Mg isotope ratio measurements were prepared with unrivalled relative expanded uncertainties as low as 0.005%.
Navigating into the chemical space between MGCD0103 and SAHA: novel histone deacetylase inhibitors as a promising lead
Authors: Zhang Xin , Lv Peng-Cheng , Li Dong-Dong , Zhang Wei-Ming , Zhu Hai-Liang
Published: August 2015

Navigating into the chemical space between MGCD0103 and SAHA using two novel histone deacetylase inhibitors.
Novel synthetic approach for 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone and the development of its lithiated salts as anode materials for aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Rajshekar Shetty Vijeth , Gurukar Suresh Shivappa , Marriappa Ramaiah , Kittappa Mahadevan Malavalli , Nagaraju Doddahalli Hanumantharayudu
Published: August 2015

An appreciable average voltage and discharge capacity of an aqueous cell was achieved by a lithiated organic electroactive species called quinizarin.
Colloidal synthesis of MoS2 quantum dots: size-dependent tunable photoluminescence and bioimaging
Authors: Lin Huihui , Wang Chuanxi , Wu Jiapeng , Xu Zhenzhu , Huang Yijun , Zhang Chi
Published: August 2015

A facile colloidal method was designed to prepare fluorescent MoS2 QDs. The resultant QDs showed size-dependent tunable photoluminescence and could be used for bioimaging.
Synthesis, structures and magnetism of a series of dinuclear and one-dimensional Ni–Ln complexes: single-molecule magnetic behavior in one-dimensional nitrate-bridged Dy analogue
Authors: Yao Min-Xia , Lu Xing-Yun , Zhu Zhao-Xia , Deng Xiao-Wei , Jing Su
Published: August 2015

By using a salen-type ligand and changing the reaction solvent, a series of NiII–LnIII complexes have been obtained and structurally and magnetically characterized.
Synthesis of 2- and 6-thienylazulenes by palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of 2- and 6-haloazulenes with thiophene derivatives
Authors: Shoji Taku , Maruyama Akifumi , Araki Takanori , Ito Shunji , Okujima Tetsuo
Published: August 2015

Preparation of 2- and 6-thienylazulene derivatives was established by the palladium-catalyzed direct cross-coupling reaction of 2- and 6-haloazulenes with the corresponding thiophene derivatives in good yield.
Investigations into the binding of jadomycin DS to human topoisomerase IIβ by WaterLOGSY NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Martinez-Farina Camilo F. , McCormick Nicole , Robertson Andrew W. , Clement Helen , Jee Alison , Ampaw Anna , Chan Nei-Li , Syvitski Ray T. , Jakeman David L.
Published: August 2015

First evidence that jadomycins bind human topoisomerase IIβ.
Imidazolium based energetic ionic liquids for monopropellant applications: a theoretical study
Authors: Thomas Eapen , Vijayalakshmi Kunduchi Periya , George Benny Kattikkanal
Published: August 2015

Theoretical studies reveal that nitrogen- and oxygen-rich anions in combination with imidazolium cations produce energetic ionic liquids which are potentially useful as green substitute for hydrazine in monopropellant applications.
In search of a docking protocol to distinguish between DNA intercalators and groove binders: genetic algorithm vs. shape-complementarity based docking methods
Authors: al-Rashida Mariya , Ahsen Sana
Published: August 2015

A comparison of docking of DNA groove binders and intercalators using genetic algorithm and shape-complementarity based methods is presented.
Multiple sheet-layered super slippery surfaces based on anodic aluminium oxide and its anticorrosion property
Authors: Song Tingting , Liu Qi , Zhang Meiling , Chen Rongrong , Takahashi Kazunobu , Jing Xiaoyao , Liu Lianhe , Wang Jun
Published: August 2015

A key challenge for this paper is to discuss the effects of porosity on the properties of substrates. Co3O4grown on AAO super slippery surfaces with high porosity possessed good anticorrosion properties and super slippery properties by comparison.
Bouquet-like calcium sulfate dihydrate: a highly efficient adsorbent for Congo red dye
Authors: Jia Xin-Jian , Wang Jinshu , Wu Junshu , Du Yucheng , Zhao Bingxin , Engelsen Daniel den
Published: August 2015

Solution-phase controlled preparation of calcium sulfate dihydrate adsorbent for highly efficient removal of azodye Congo red.
Synthesis of a novel glycerol based B3-type monomer and its application in hyperbranched polyester urethane–urea coatings
Authors: Somisetti Varaprasad , Allauddin Shaik , Narayan Ramanuj , Raju K. V. S. N.
Published: August 2015

Renewable based poly(urethane–urea) coatings with high thermal stability (Tg– 124.9) were prepared from hyperbranched polyester polyol with the degree of branching almost equal to 66%.
Extraction of Ce(iv) from sulphuric acid solution by emulsion liquid membrane using D2EHPA as carrier
Authors: He Jingui , Li Yong , Xue Xiangxin , Ru Hongqiang , Huang Xiaowei , Yang He
Published: August 2015

A possible scheme for Ce(iv) extraction by ELM using D2EHPA as extractant.
Few durable layers suppress cotton combustion due to the joint combination of layer by layer assembly and UV-curing
Authors: Carosio Federico , Alongi Jenny
Published: August 2015

In the last five years, Layer by Layer (LbL) assembly has proven to be one of the most innovative solutions for conferring flame retardancy to fabrics.
Self-doped polyaniline/molybdenum oxide composite nanorods for supercapacitors
Authors: Bian Li-Jun , He Hai-Long , Liu Xiao-Xia
Published: August 2015

A composite film of self-doped polyaniline and molybdenum oxide (SPAN/MoOx) shows electroactivity in a wide potential range of 1.4 V from −0.6 to 0.8 V vs. SCE. The symmetric supercapacitor assembled by using SPAN/MoOx as both of the electrodes showed good rate behavior.
Design of dual MMP-2/HDAC-8 inhibitors by pharmacophore mapping, molecular docking, synthesis and biological activity
Authors: Halder Amit K. , Mallick Sumana , Shikha Deep , Saha Achintya , Saha Krishna D. , Jha Tarun
Published: August 2015

Recent analyses have highlighted the promotion of cancer migration and invasion, mediated through HDAC via MMP-2 and MMP-9.
Synchronously synthesized Si@C composites through solvothermal oxidation of Mg2Si as lithium ion battery anode
Authors: Hou Zhiguo , Zhang Xueqian , Liang Jianwen , Lia Xiaona , Yan Xuedong , Zhu Yongchun , Qian Yitai
Published: August 2015

Si@C composites have been synchronously synthesized by solvothermal oxidation of Mg2Si at 650 °C.
Enhancement of the non-thermal plasma-catalytic system with different zeolites for toluene removal
Authors: Huang Rong , Lu Meijuan , Wang Peitao , Chen Yangda , Wu Junliang , Fu Mingli , Chen Limin , Ye Daiqi
Published: August 2015

Based on the important effect of catalyst on the plasma-catalytic system, various types of zeolites (5A, HZSM-5, Hβ, HY and Ag/HY) were chosen as catalysts to remove toluene under non-thermal plasma conditions in this work.
Copper-mediated reaction of oxazirconacyclopentenes with dichlorophenylphosphine: a new pathway for the formation of 1,2-oxaphosphole derivatives
Authors: Zhou Yiqing , Wang Sheng , Chen Chao , Xi Chanjuan
Published: August 2015

CuCl-mediated reaction of oxazirconacyclopentenes with dichlorophenylphosphine afforded dihydrooxaphospholes in high yields, in which the reaction was performed conveniently in one-pot from an alkyne, carbonyl compound and dichlorophosphine.
Preparation of a nanoporous CuO/Cu composite using a dealloy method for high performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xu Xiaoyun , Han Mengru , Ma Jingyun , Zhang Chuanjiang , Li Guangda
Published: August 2015

A nanoporous CuO/Cu composite material was prepared using a dealloy method, and exhibited excellent cycling stability when evaluated as an anode for lithium-ion batteries.
Clostridium perfringens α-toxin interaction with red cells and model membranes
Authors: Jewell S. A. , Titball R. W. , Huyet J. , Naylor C. E. , Basak A. K. , Gologan P. , Winlove C. P. , Petrov P. G.
Published: August 2015

The interaction of α-toxin with lipid monolayers and bilayers leads to profound changes in the biophysical properties of the membrane.
Prediction of solvent-induced morphological changes of polyelectrolyte diblock copolymer micelles
Authors: Li Nan K. , Fuss William H. , Tang Lei , Gu Renpeng , Chilkoti Ashutosh , Zauscher Stefan , Yingling Yaroslava G.
Published: August 2015

A comprehensive set of data is obtained with the utilization of ISIS DPD model to construct the phase diagram of amphiphilic polyelectrolyte diblock copolymers in aqueous solution.
Effect of solvents on the growth of TiO2nanorods and their perovskite solar cells
Authors: Li Jun-Feng , Zhang Zhen-Long , Gao Hui-Ping , Zhang Yang , Mao Yan-Li
Published: August 2015

The PCE of cells based on TiO2NRs (w) (11.8%) is higher than those based on TiO2NRs (e) (8.6%), which is the highest among the reported TiO2NR based cells.
Advanced asymmetric supercapacitors based on CNT@Ni(OH)2 core–shell composites and 3D graphene networks
Authors: Yi Huan , Wang Huanwen , Jing Yuting , Peng Tianquan , Wang Yiran , Guo Jiang , He Qingliang , Guo Zhanhu , Wang Xuefeng
Published: August 2015

Asymmetric supercapacitors with CNT@nickel hydroxide nanosheet composites and 3-D graphene networks demonstrated a high energy density (∼44.0 W h kg−1) and high power density (∼16 kW kg−1) in aqueous KOH electrolyte.
Correction: In situ crosslinking of electrospun gelatin for improved fiber morphology retention and tunable degradation
Authors: Kishan A. P. , Nezarati R. M. , Radzicki C. M. , Renfro A. L. , Robinson J. L. , Whitely M. E. , Cosgriff-Hernandez E. M.
Published: August 2015

Correction for ‘In situ crosslinking of electrospun gelatin for improved fiber morphology retention and tunable degradation’ by A. P. Kishan et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5tb00937e.
Reversible colorless-cyan photochromism in Eu2+-doped Sr3YNa(PO4)3F powders
Authors: Jin Yahong , Hu Yihua , Fu Yinrong , Chen Li , Ju Guifang , Mu Zhongfei
Published: August 2015

Photochromic materials have attracted increasing interest as optical switches and erasable optical memory media.
Electrical and thermal transport properties of spark plasma sintered n-type Bi2Te3−xSex alloys: the combined effect of point defect and Se content
Authors: Pan Yu , Wei Tian-Ran , Wu Chao-Feng , Li Jing-Feng
Published: August 2015

Investigation of electrical and thermal transport properties in powder-processed Bi2Te3−xSex thermoelectric alloys determined the optimal composition based on defect chemistry.
Akt activation increases cellular cholesterol by promoting the proteasomal degradation of Niemann–Pick C1
Authors: Du Ximing , Zhang Yuxi , Jo Sae Rom , Liu Xiaoyun , Qi Yanfei , Osborne Brenna , Byrne Frances L. , Smith Greg C. , Turner Nigel , Hoehn Kyle L. , Brown Andrew J. , Yang Hongyuan
Published: August 2015

Null mutations of the Niemann–Pick type C1 (NPC1) gene cause NPC disease, a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by cholesterol accumulation in late endosomes (LE) and lysosomes (Ly). Nascent or mutated NPC1 is degraded through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, but how NPC1 degradation is regulated remains currently unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated a link between NPC1 degradation and the Akt (protein kinase B)/mTOR [mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin] signalling pathway in cervical cancer cell lines. We provided evidence that activated Akt/mTOR pathway increased NPC1 degradation by ∼50% in C33A cells when compared with SiHa or HeLa cells. NPC1 degradation in C33A cells was reversed when Akt/mTOR activation was blocked by specific inhibitors or when mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) was disrupted by regulatory associated protein of mTOR (Raptor) knockdown. Importantly, inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathway led to decreased NPC1 ubiquitination in C33A cells, pointing to a role of Akt/mTOR in the proteasomal degradation of NPC1. Moreover, we found that NPC1 depletion in several cancer cell lines inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Our results uncover Akt as a key regulator of NPC1 degradation and link NPC1 to cancer cell proliferation and migration.
VLSI realisation of neural velocity integrator and central pattern generator
Authors: Aggarwal A.
Published: August 2015

A very compact circuit for the head direction cell system is presented, which acts as the neural velocity integrator. This is useful in the implementation of robotic spatial navigation systems in hardware. In addition, the use of the circuit as a central pattern generator is also demonstrated, whose silicon implementation is useful in robotic gait control.
Thermal expansion of III–V materials in atomistic models using empirical Tersoff potentials
Authors: Detz H.
Published: August 2015

A method to achieve realistic values for the thermal expansion coefficient in atomistic simulations of III–V materials using empirical Tersoff potentials is reported. The acceptance criterion of the Metropolis Monte Carlo algorithm that is used to relax the structures is modified to suppress exceedingly high thermal expansion, which has previously been observed for Tersoff potentials of III–V materials. Compared with earlier works, the error is reduced from more than 200% to ∼3% for GaAs. Similar behaviour is found for other binary III–V compounds with errors typically around 10% with respect to the experimental data.
Slim planar composite antenna with two orthogonal polarisations for WLAN router applications
Authors: Sun Li , Zhang Guan‐xi , Sun Bao‐hua
Published: August 2015

A slim planar composite antenna for WLAN router applications is presented. A J‐antenna and a dipole antenna are proposed as components antennas for the vertical and the horizontal polarisations, respectively. The arms of the dipole adopt a bent structure for size miniaturisation. For tuning the impedance matching, a matching stub is introduced working as a parallel inductor on the upper part of the dipole. The antenna is made by copper and fed by coaxial lines. The final antenna achieves two orthogonal polarisations with a low cross‐polarisation level <−18 dB, a return loss better than 10 dB, and port isolation in excess of 19.3 dB from 2.38 to 2.51 GHz, thus making it suitable for use in 2.45 GHz WLAN router polarisation diversity applications. The slim planar structure with 25.5 mm width and light weight makes it easy to install on WLAN routers.
Assessment of noise reduction in ultrasound images of common carotid and brachial arteries
Authors: Rafati Mehravar , Arabfard Masoud , Rafati Rahim Zadeh Mehrdad , Maghsoudloo Mazaher
Published: August 2015

The present study assessed the use of filters for noise reduction in ultrasound images of the common carotid artery (CCA) and brachial artery using intima–media thickness, which is a safe and non‐invasive technique for determining subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. A new combined speckle reducing anisotropic diffusion (SRAD) filter for noise reduction is then proposed. Ultrasonic examination of both arteries was performed on 30 men (aged 40 ± 5 years). The programme was designed using MATLAB software to extract consecutive images in bit map format from the audio video interleaves. An additional programme was designed in MATLAB to apply the region of interest (ROI) to the thickness of the intima–media of the posterior walls of the arteries. Block‐matching techniques were used to estimate arterial motion from ultrasound images of the B‐mode CCA and brachial artery. Different noise reduction filters and Canny edge detection were carried out separately in the ROI. The programme measured mean square error (MSE) and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR). The results demonstrated that the new combined SRAD filter with Canny edge detection identified the lowest value for MSE and the highest value for PSNR in 90 consecutive frames (∼3 cardiac cycles). The results indicate that MSE and PSNR were better detected by the proposed combined SRAD filter with Canny edge detection than did several commonly used filters with Canny detection for speckle suppression and preservation detail in carotid and brachial arteries ultrasound images.
Enhanced electron injection in laser-driven bubble acceleration by ultra-intense laser irradiating foil-gas targets
Authors: Zhang Guo-Bo , Ma Yan-Yun , Xu Han , Hafz Nasr A. M. , Yang Xiao-Hu , Chen Min , Yu Tong-Pu , Zou De-Bin , Liu Jian-Xun , Yan Jian-Feng , Zhuo Hong-Bin , Gan Long-Fei , Tian Li-Chao , Shao Fu-Qiu , Yin Yan , Kawata S.
Published: August 2015

A scheme for enhancing the electron injection charge in a laser-driven bubble acceleration is proposed. In this scheme, a thin foil target is placed in front of a gas target. Upon interaction with an ultra-intense laser pulse, the foil emits electrons with large longitudinal momenta, allowing them to be trapped into the transmitted shaped laser-excited bubble in the gaseous plasma target. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation is used to demonstrate this scheme, and an electron beam with a total electron number of 4.21×108 μm−1 can be produced, which is twice the number of electrons produced without the foil. Such scheme may be widely used for applications that require high electron yields such as positron and gamma ray generation from relativistic electron beams interacting with solid targets.
A multi-technique analysis of deuterium trapping and near-surface precipitate growth in plasma-exposed tungsten
Authors: Kolasinski R. D. , Shimada M. , Oya Y. , Buchenauer D. A. , Chikada T. , Cowgill D. F. , Donovan D. C. , Friddle R. W. , Michibayashi K. , Sato M.
Published: August 2015

In this work, we examine how deuterium becomes trapped in plasma-exposed tungsten and forms near-surface platelet-shaped precipitates. How these bubbles nucleate and grow, as well as the amount of deuterium trapped within, is crucial for interpreting the experimental database. Here, we use a combined experimental/theoretical approach to provide further insight into the underlying physics. With the Tritium Plasma Experiment, we exposed a series of ITER-grade tungsten samples to high flux D plasmas (up to 1.5 × 1022 m−2 s−1) at temperatures ranging between 103 and 554 °C. Retention of deuterium trapped in the bulk, assessed through thermal desorption spectrometry, reached a maximum at 230 °C and diminished rapidly thereafter for T > 300 °C. Post-mortem examination of the surfaces revealed non-uniform growth of bubbles ranging in diameter between 1 and 10 μm over the surface with a clear correlation with grain boundaries. Electron back-scattering diffraction maps over a large area of the surface confirmed this dependence; grains containing bubbles were aligned with a preferred slip vector along the ⟨111⟩ directions. Focused ion beam profiles suggest that these bubbles nucleated as platelets at depths of 200 nm–1 μm beneath the surface and grew as a result of expansion of sub-surface cracks. To estimate the amount of deuterium trapped in these defects relative to other sites within the material, we applied a continuum-scale treatment of hydrogen isotope precipitation. In addition, we propose a straightforward model of near-surface platelet expansion that reproduces bubble sizes consistent with our measurements. For the tungsten microstructure considered here, we find that bubbles would only weakly affect migration of D into the material, perhaps explaining why deep trapping was observed in prior studies with plasma-exposed neutron-irradiated specimens. We foresee no insurmountable issues that would prevent the theoretical framework developed here from being extended to a broader range of systems where precipitation of insoluble gases in ion beam or plasma-exposed metals is of interest.
An easy-to-use technique to characterize cardiodynamics from first-return maps on ΔRR-intervals
Authors: Fresnel Emeline , Yacoub Emad , Freitas Ubiratan , Kerfourn Adrien , Messager Valérie , Mallet Eric , Muir Jean-François , Letellier Christophe
Published: August 2015

Heart rate variability analysis using 24-h Holter monitoring is frequently performed to assess the cardiovascular status of a patient. The present retrospective study is based on the beat-to-beat interval variations or ΔRR, which offer a better view of the underlying structures governing the cardiodynamics than the common RR-intervals. By investigating data for three groups of adults (with normal sinus rhythm, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, respectively), we showed that the first-return maps built on ΔRR can be classified according to three structures: (i) a moderate central disk, (ii) a reduced central disk with well-defined segments, and (iii) a large triangular shape. These three very different structures can be distinguished by computing a Shannon entropy based on a symbolic dynamics and an asymmetry coefficient, here introduced to quantify the balance between accelerations and decelerations in the cardiac rhythm. The probability P111111 of successive heart beats without large beat-to-beat fluctuations allows to assess the regularity of the cardiodynamics. A characteristic time scale, corresponding to the partition inducing the largest Shannon entropy, was also introduced to quantify the ability of the heart to modulate its rhythm: it was significantly different for the three structures of first-return maps. A blind validation was performed to validate the technique.
Effects of polarization-charge shielding in microwave heating
Authors: Lin M. S. , Lin S. M. , Chiang W. Y. , Barnett L. R. , Chu K. R.
Published: August 2015

Heating of dielectric objects by radio frequency (RF) and microwaves has long been a method widely employed in scientific research and industrial applications. However, RF and microwave heating are often susceptible to an excessive temperature spread due to uneven energy deposition. The current study elucidates an important physical reason for this difficulty and proposes an effective remedy. Non-spherical samples are placed in an anechoic chamber, where it is irradiated by a traveling microwave wave with 99% intensity uniformity. Polarization charges induced on the samples tend to partially cancel the incident electric field and hence reduce the heating rate. The polarization-charge shielded heating rate is shown to be highly dependent on the sample's shape and its orientation relative to the wave electric field. For samples with a relatively high permittivity, the resultant uneven heating can become a major cause for the excessive temperature spread. It is also demonstrated that a circularly polarized wave, with its rapidly rotating electric field, can effectively even out the heating rate and hence the temperature spread.
Absolute shielding scales for Al, Ga, and In and revised nuclear magnetic dipole moments of 27Al, 69Ga, 71Ga, 113In, and 115In nuclei
Authors: Antušek A. , Holka F.
Published: August 2015

We present coupled cluster calculations of NMR shielding constants of aluminum, gallium, and indium in water-ion clusters. In addition, relativistic and dynamical corrections and the influence of the second solvation shell are evaluated. The final NMR shielding constants define new absolute shielding scales, 600.0 ± 4.1 ppm, 2044.4 ± 31.4 ppm, and 4507.7 ± 63.7 ppm for aluminum, gallium, and indium, respectively. The nuclear magnetic dipole moments for 27Al, 69Ga, 71Ga, 113In, and 115In isotopes are corrected by combining the computed shielding constants with experimental NMR frequencies. The absolute magnitude of the correction increases along the series and for indium isotopes it reaches approximately −8.0 × 10−3 of the nuclear magneton.
Spatial clustering of defect luminescence centers in Si-doped low resistivity Al0.82Ga0.18N
Authors: Kusch Gunnar , Nouf-Allehiani M. , Mehnke Frank , Kuhn Christian , Edwards Paul R. , Wernicke Tim , Knauer Arne , Kueller Viola , Naresh-Kumar G. , Weyers Markus , Kneissl Michael , Trager-Cowan Carol , Martin Robert W.
Published: August 2015

A series of Si-doped AlN-rich AlGaN layers with low resistivities was characterized by a combination of nanoscale imaging techniques. Utilizing the capability of scanning electron microscopy to reliably investigate the same sample area with different techniques, it was possible to determine the effect of doping concentration, defect distribution, and morphology on the luminescence properties of these layers. Cathodoluminescence shows that the dominant defect luminescence depends on the Si-doping concentration. For lower doped samples, the most intense peak was centered between 3.36 eV and 3.39 eV, while an additional, stronger peak appears at 3 eV for the highest doped sample. These peaks were attributed to the (VIII-ON)2− complex and the VIII3− vacancy, respectively. Multimode imaging using cathodoluminescence, secondary electrons, electron channeling contrast, and atomic force microscopy demonstrates that the luminescence intensity of these peaks is not homogeneously distributed but shows a strong dependence on the topography and on the distribution of screw dislocations.
Overcoming limitations of nanomechanical resonators with simultaneous resonances
Authors: Kacem N. , Baguet S. , Duraffourg L. , Jourdan G. , Dufour R. , Hentz S.
Published: August 2015

Dynamic stabilization by simultaneous primary and superharmonic resonances for high order nonlinearity cancellation is demonstrated with an electrostatically actuated, piezoresistively transduced nanomechanical resonator. We prove experimentally how the combination of both the third-order nonlinearity cancellation and simultaneous resonances can be used to linearly drive a nanocantilever up to very large amplitudes compared to fundamental limits like pull-in occurrence, opening the way towards resonators with high frequency stability for high-performance sensing or time reference.
Metal-polymer nanocomposite with stable plasmonic tuning under cyclic strain conditions
Authors: Minnai Chloé , Milani Paolo
Published: August 2015

We report the fabrication and characterization of stretchable nanocomposite films with mechanically tunable surface plasmon resonance. The films have been produced by implantation in a Polydimethylsiloxane substrate of neutral gold nanoparticles aerodynamically accelerated in a supersonic expansion. Optical absorption spectroscopy shows that uniaxial stretching of the nanocomposite induce a reversible redshift of the plasmon peak up to 180 nm from the peak wavelength of the non-stretched sample. The range of the plasmon peak shift depends upon the density of implanted nanoparticles. The optical behavior of the nanocomposite evolves upon cyclical stretching due to the rearrangement of the nanoparticles in the elastomeric matrix. We have identified the fabrication and post-deposition treatment conditions to stabilize the plasmonic shift upon cyclical stretching in order to obtain robust and large area nanocomposites with tunable and reproducible optical properties over a wide visible wavelength range.
Extracting the effective bandgap of heterojunctions using Esaki diode I-V measurements
Authors: Smets Quentin , Verhulst Anne S. , El Kazzi Salim , Verreck Devin , Richard Olivier , Bender Hugo , Collaert Nadine , Mocuta Anda , Thean Aaron , Heyns Marc M.
Published: August 2015

The effective bandgap is a crucial design parameter of heterojunction tunneling field-effect transistors. In this letter, we demonstrate a method to measure the effective bandgap directly from the band-to-band tunneling current of a heterojunction Esaki diode, of which we only require knowledge of the electrostatic potential profile. The method is based on a characteristic exponentially increasing current with forward bias, caused by sharp energy filtering at cryogenic temperature. We apply this method experimentally to a n+In0.53Ga0.47As/pGaAs0.5Sb0.5 Esaki diode and define requirements to apply it to other heterojunctions.
Common γ-chain blocking peptide reduces in vitro immune activation markers in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis
Authors: Massoud Raya , Enose-Akahata Yoshimi , Tagaya Yutaka , Azimi Nazli , Basheer Asjad , Jacobson Steven
Published: August 2015

Significance

IL-2 and IL-15, members of the gamma chain family of cytokines, are prominently deregulated in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and underlie many of the characteristic immune abnormalities such as spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation, increased STAT5 phosphorylation in the lymphocytes, and increased frequency and cytotoxicity of virus-specific CD8+T lymphocytes (CTLs). In this in vitro study, we demonstrate that selective and simultaneous blockade of IL-2 and IL-15, with a γ-chain antagonistic peptide, reduces spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation (SP), STAT5 phosphorylation, and more important, the degranulation of CD8+T cells and the frequency of HTLV-1-specific CTLs. Thus, selective cytokine blockade with antagonistic peptides might be a therapeutic approach in HAM/TSP and is potentially applicable to multiple other conditions in which cytokines are pathogenic.
Viral fusion protein transmembrane domain adopts β-strand structure to facilitate membrane topological changes for virus–cell fusion
Authors: Yao Hongwei , Lee Michelle W. , Waring Alan J. , Wong Gerard C. L. , Hong Mei
Published: August 2015

Significance

Enveloped viruses enter cells by fusing their lipid envelope with the cell membrane. The transmembrane domain (TMD) of viral fusion proteins is traditionally envisioned as a passive α-helical membrane anchor during the protein-mediated membrane fusion. Using solid-state NMR, we show that a parainfluenza virus fusion protein TMD exhibits lipid-dependent conformations. α-Helical structure dominates in phosphocholine and phosphoglycerol membranes, whereas β-strand conformation dominates in phosphoethanolamine membranes. Importantly, the β-strand–rich conformation quantitatively transforms the 1,2-dioleoyl-
sn
-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) membrane to a bicontinuous cubic phase, which is rich in the saddle-splay curvature in hemifusion intermediates and fusion pores. Thus, viral fusion protein TMDs play an active role in virus entry by mediating the necessary membrane topological changes.
Structural basis for inhibition of TLR2 by staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 3 (SSL3)
Authors: Koymans Kirsten J. , Feitsma Louris J. , Brondijk T. Harma C. , Aerts Piet C. , Lukkien Eddie , Lössl Philip , van Kessel Kok P. M. , de Haas Carla J. C. , van Strijp Jos A. G. , Huizinga Eric G.
Published: August 2015

Significance

Staphylococcus aureus
secretes a range of virulence factors to evade immune recognition. One of these, staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 3 (SSL3), disrupts an important component of our innate immune system: activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) by bacterial lipopeptides. The crystal structure of the SSL3–TLR2 complex now provides the structural basis for a unique mechanism of full TLR2 antagonism in which SSL3 interferes with both ligand binding and receptor dimerization. Our novel insights on the host–pathogen interaction may contribute to vaccine development and form a starting point for the design of structure-based mimics to inhibit aberrant TLR2 activation in several inflammatory diseases and disease states.
Metabolic fate of endogenous molecular damage: Urinary glutathione conjugates of DNA-derived base propenals as markers of inflammation
Authors: Jumpathong Watthanachai , Chan Wan , Taghizadeh Koli , Babu I. Ramesh , Dedon Peter C.
Published: August 2015

Significance

Endogenous DNA damage is mechanistically linked to inflammation and cancer, yet the multitude of DNA damage products have not emerged as significant biomarkers partly due to poor understanding of their metabolic fate following formation in tissues. Using a systematic approach of metabolite profiling, we identified 15 candidate metabolites of a common DNA lesion, thymine propenal (Tp), of which three and seven compounds were found in the urine and bile, respectively, of Tp-treated rats. Only one metabolite, a
bis
-mercapturate derivative, was observed in urine from untreated rats and increased approximately three- to fourfold upon treatment with toxicants producing oxidative stress and DNA oxidation. This metabolite thus represents a strong biomarker candidate for inflammation and oxidative stress.
Brain system for mental orientation in space, time, and person
Authors: Peer Michael , Salomon Roy , Goldberg Ilan , Blanke Olaf , Arzy Shahar
Published: August 2015

Significance

Processing of spatial, temporal, and social relations relies on mental cognitive maps, on which the behaving self is oriented relative to different places, events, and people. Using high-resolution functional MRI scanning in individual subjects, we show that mental orientation in space, time, and person produces a sequential posterior–anterior pattern of activity in each participant’s brain. These activations are adjacent and partially overlapping, highlighting the relation between mental orientation in these domains. Furthermore, the activity is highly overlapping with the brain’s default-mode network, a system involved in self-referential processing. These findings may shed new light on fundamental cognitive processing of space, time, and person and alter our understanding of disorientation phenomena in neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.