bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation and association mapping of grain iron and zinc contents in synthetic hexaploid wheat germplasm
Authors: Gorafi Yasir S. A. , Ishii Takayoshi , Kim June-Sik , Elbashir Awad Ahmed Elawad , Tsujimoto Hisashi
Published: August 2016

Fe and Zn deficiency are widespread worldwide. As wheat is the primary food for the majority of the world people, producing wheat grains with high mineral content can ameliorate the problem of mineral hunger. However, the genetic variation available for breeders is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic variation in grain Fe and Zn contents in 47 synthetic hexaploid wheats and to identify marker loci associated with Fe and Zn contents. We measured the grain Fe and Zn contents using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and performed genotyping using SSR markers. The results showed considerable genetic variation for these minerals. We identified three lines with high Fe and Zn contents and six quantitative trait loci of which three were associated with Fe content and the other three with Zn content. The minerals showed positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation and high heritability (>60%). The ratio of theσ2gto theσ2g×ewas ≥1 for the two mineral contents indicating that breeding for increasing mineral content within the synthetic lines is possible. The synthetic wheat lines identified in this study are valuable genetic resources, and can be utilized for breeding wheat cultivars with high mineral content.
Voting for Women in Belgium's Flexible List System
Authors: Marien Sofie , Schouteden Anke , Wauters Bram
Published: August 2016

Proportional electoral systems tend to be more beneficial for women's descriptive representation than majority systems. However, within proportional systems the gender equality of election outcomes differs, highlighting the importance of studying the actual use of electoral provisions in proportional representation (PR) systems. Therefore, we investigate the determinants of voting for female candidates in Belgium's local elections. This case is particularly interesting given the equal number of men and women on the candidate lists due to quota regulations, the possibility to cast multiple preference votes (lowering competition), and the high visibility of these local elections and its candidates. At the individual level, we find that women are more likely than men to vote for several women, yet same-sex voting is more common among men. Politically sophisticated respondents vote more often for candidates of both sexes. Against our expectations, a left-wing orientation does not increase the likelihood of voting for women. At the electoral district level, a larger supply of women at the top list position increases the chance to vote for this top woman, but there is no spillover effect to women lower on the list. District magnitude affects the number of preference votes but, against expectations, not the likelihood of voting for women.
The experiences of help-seeking in people with obsessive compulsive disorder: an internet survey
Authors: Vuong Thanh Mai , Gellatly Judith , Lovell Karina , Bee Penny
Published: August 2016

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health disorder, with prevalence in adults of around 3.1%. The social and economic consequences of OCD are high for patients and their families. It is unlikely to improve without treatment. Help-seeking for treatment is often delayed and studies have found an average treatment gap of up to 17 years. This study aimed to explore the factors that influenced how, when and why people sought help and to identify any issues that they faced during help-seeking. Individuals experiencing OCD were invited to complete a web-based survey hosted on a national OCD charity website over a 3-month period. Eighty-eight individuals took part. Most had sought help from their general practitioner (GP), while others accessed websites and private services. Lack of awareness and understanding by health professionals was reported as a problem, as was the speed of referral or getting the right treatment. There is a need for further training and education for health professionals and GPs. Education and awareness campaigns for the general public, with more focus on how help can be sought, and on the different types of OCD may contribute to improving recognition of symptoms and accessing timely help.
Noise radar sidelobe suppression algorithm using mismatched filter approach
Authors: Kulpa Janusz S.
Published: August 2016

Continuous wave radars usually use separate transmit and receive antennas that are close to each other. In such a configuration, the antenna crosstalk is the strongest echo acquired by the radar surveillance channel. Sidelobes of the strongest echo are spread over all range cells, limiting the dynamic range of the radar. In this paper, a mismatched filter approach is presented that substitutes classic correlation in order to suppress correlation sidelobes. Both simulations and measurements are presented.
Does Telomere Shortening Precede the Onset of Hypertension in Spontaneously Hypertensive Mice?
Authors: Chiu Christine L. , Hearn Nerissa L. , Paine Devin , Steiner Nicole , Lind Joanne M.
Published: August 2016

Telomere length is widely considered as a marker of biological aging. Clinical studies have reported associations between reduced telomere length and hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare telomere length in hypertensive and normotensive mice at pre-disease and established disease time points to determine whether telomere length differs between the strains before and after the onset of disease. Genomic DNA was extracted from kidney and heart tissues of 4-, 12-, and 20-week-old male hypertensive (BPH/2J) and normotensive (BPN/3J) mice. Relative telomere length (T/S) was measured using quantitative PCR. Age was inversely correlated with telomere length in both strains. In 4-week-old pre-hypertensive animals, no difference in T/S was observed between BPH/2J and BPN/3J animals in kidney or heart tissue (kidneyp= 0.14, heartp= 0.06). Once the animals had established disease, at 12 and 20 weeks, BPH/2J mice had significantly shorter telomeres when compared to their age-matched controls in both kidney (12 weeksp< 0.001 and 20 weeksp= 0.004) and heart tissues (12 weeksp< 0.001 and 20 weeksp< 0.001). This is the first study to show that differences in telomere lengths between BPH/2J and BPN/3J mice occur after the development of hypertension and do not cause hypertension in the BPH/2J mice.
Climate Scientists' New Hurdle: Overcoming Climate Change Apathy
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: August 2016

It's not just about deniers anymore. Scientists now have to convince a new group: those who believe humans have altered the climate but don't think anything can or should change.
Ultra-fast self-assembly and stabilization of reactive nanoparticles in reduced graphene oxide films
Authors: Chen Yanan , Egan Garth C. , Wan Jiayu , Zhu Shuze , Jacob Rohit Jiji , Zhou Wenbo , Dai Jiaqi , Wang Yanbin , Danner Valencia A. , Yao Yonggang , Fu Kun , Wang Yibo , Bao Wenzhong , Li Teng , Zachariah Michael R. , Hu Liangbing
Published: August 2016

Nanoparticles hosted in conductive matrices are ubiquitous in electrochemical energy storage, catalysis and energetic devices. However, agglomeration and surface oxidation remain as two major challenges towards their ultimate utility, especially for highly reactive materials. Here we report uniformly distributed nanoparticles with diameters around 10 nm can be self-assembled within a reduced graphene oxide matrix in 10 ms. Microsized particles in reduced graphene oxide are Joule heated to high temperature (∼1,700 K) and rapidly quenched to preserve the resultant nano-architecture. A possible formation mechanism is that microsized particles melt under high temperature, are separated by defects in reduced graphene oxide and self-assemble into nanoparticles on cooling. The ultra-fast manufacturing approach can be applied to a wide range of materials, including aluminium, silicon, tin and so on. One unique application of this technique is the stabilization of aluminium nanoparticles in reduced graphene oxide film, which we demonstrate to have excellent performance as a switchable energetic material.
Visualization of anisotropic-isotropic phase transformation dynamics in battery electrode particles
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Karen Chen-Wiegart Yu-chen , Eng Christopher , Shen Qun , Wang Jun
Published: August 2016

Anisotropy, or alternatively, isotropy of phase transformations extensively exist in a number of solid-state materials, with performance depending on the three-dimensional transformation features. Fundamental insights into internal chemical phase evolution allow manipulating materials with desired functionalities, and can be developed via real-time multi-dimensional imaging methods. Here, we report a five-dimensional imaging method to track phase transformation as a function of charging time in individual lithium iron phosphate battery cathode particles during delithiation. The electrochemically driven phase transformation is initially anisotropic with a preferred boundary migration direction, but becomes isotropic as delithiation proceeds further. We also observe the expected two-phase coexistence throughout the entire charging process. We expect this five-dimensional imaging method to be broadly applicable to problems in energy, materials, environmental and life sciences.
A robust molecular probe for Ångstrom-scale analytics in liquids
Authors: Nirmalraj Peter , Thompson Damien , Dimitrakopoulos Christos , Gotsmann Bernd , Dumcenco Dumitru , Kis Andras , Riel Heike
Published: August 2016

Traditionally, nanomaterial profiling using a single-molecule-terminated scanning probe is performed at the vacuum–solid interface often at a few Kelvin, but is not a notion immediately associated with liquid–solid interface at room temperature. Here, using a scanning tunnelling probe functionalized with a single C60 molecule stabilized in a high-density liquid, we resolve low-dimensional surface defects, atomic interfaces and capture Ångstrom-level bond-length variations in single-layer graphene and MoS2. Atom-by-atom controllable imaging contrast is demonstrated at room temperature and the electronic structure of the C60–metal probe complex within the encompassing liquid molecules is clarified using density functional theory. Our findings demonstrates that operating a robust single-molecular probe is not restricted to ultra-high vacuum and cryogenic settings. Hence the scope of high-precision analytics can be extended towards resolving sub-molecular features of organic elements and gauging ambient compatibility of emerging layered materials with atomic-scale sensitivity under experimentally less stringent conditions.
Endothelial cells are progenitors of cardiac pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Chen Qi , Zhang Hui , Liu Yang , Adams Susanne , Eilken Hanna , Stehling Martin , Corada Monica , Dejana Elisabetta , Zhou Bin , Adams Ralf H.
Published: August 2016

Mural cells of the vessel wall, namely pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, are essential for vascular integrity. The developmental sources of these cells and molecular mechanisms controlling their progenitors in the heart are only partially understood. Here we show that endocardial endothelial cells are progenitors of pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells in the murine embryonic heart. Endocardial cells undergo endothelial–mesenchymal transition and convert into primitive mesenchymal progenitors expressing the platelet-derived growth factor receptors, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. These progenitors migrate into the myocardium, differentiate and assemble the wall of coronary vessels, which requires canonical Wnt signalling involving Frizzled4, β-catenin and endothelial cell-derived Wnt ligands. Our findings identify a novel and unexpected population of progenitors for coronary mural cells with potential relevance for heart function and disease conditions.
Hydrodynamic dispensing and electrical manipulation of attolitre droplets
Authors: Zhang Yanzhen , Zhu Benliang , Liu Yonghong , Wittstock Gunther
Published: August 2016

Dispensing and manipulation of small droplets is important in bioassays, chemical analysis and patterning of functional inks. So far, dispensing of small droplets has been achieved by squeezing the liquid out of a small orifice similar in size to the droplets. Here we report that instead of squeezing the liquid out, small droplets can also be dispensed advantageously from large orifices by draining the liquid out of a drop suspended from a nozzle. The droplet volume is adjustable from attolitre to microlitre. More importantly, the method can handle suspensions and liquids with viscosities as high as thousands mPa s markedly increasing the range of applicable liquids for controlled dispensing. Furthermore, the movement of the dispensed droplets is controllable by the direction and the strength of an electric field potentially allowing the use of the droplet for extracting analytes from small sample volume or placing a droplet onto a pre-patterned surface.
Fast live-cell conventional fluorophore nanoscopy with ImageJ through super-resolution radial fluctuations
Authors: Gustafsson Nils , Culley Siân , Ashdown George , Owen Dylan M. , Pereira Pedro Matos , Henriques Ricardo
Published: August 2016

Despite significant progress, high-speed live-cell super-resolution studies remain limited to specialized optical setups, generally requiring intense phototoxic illumination. Here, we describe a new analytical approach, super-resolution radial fluctuations (SRRF), provided as a fast graphics processing unit-enabled ImageJ plugin. In the most challenging data sets for super-resolution, such as those obtained in low-illumination live-cell imaging with GFP, we show that SRRF is generally capable of achieving resolutions better than 150 nm. Meanwhile, for data sets similar to those obtained in PALM or STORM imaging, SRRF achieves resolutions approaching those of standard single-molecule localization analysis. The broad applicability of SRRF and its performance at low signal-to-noise ratios allows super-resolution using modern widefield, confocal or TIRF microscopes with illumination orders of magnitude lower than methods such as PALM, STORM or STED. We demonstrate this by super-resolution live-cell imaging over timescales ranging from minutes to hours.
Amine synthesis via iron-catalysed reductive coupling of nitroarenes with alkyl halides
Authors: Cheung Chi Wai , Hu Xile
Published: August 2016

(Hetero)Aryl amines, an important class of organic molecules in medicinal chemistry, are most commonly synthesized from anilines, which are in turn synthesized by hydrogenation of nitroarenes. Amine synthesis directly from nitroarenes is attractive due to improved step economy and functional group compatibility. Despite these potential advantages, there is yet no general method for the synthesis of (hetero)aryl amines by carbon–nitrogen cross-coupling of nitroarenes. Here we report the reductive coupling of nitroarenes with alkyl halides to yield (hetero)aryl amines. A simple iron catalyst enables the coupling with numerous primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl halides. Broad scope and high functional group tolerance are demonstrated. Mechanistic study suggests that nitrosoarenes and alkyl radicals are involved as intermediates. This new C–N coupling method provides general and step-economical access to aryl amines.
Dorsal horn neurons release extracellular ATP in a VNUT-dependent manner that underlies neuropathic pain
Authors: Masuda Takahiro , Ozono Yui , Mikuriya Satsuki , Kohro Yuta , Tozaki-Saitoh Hidetoshi , Iwatsuki Ken , Uneyama Hisayuki , Ichikawa Reiko , Salter Michael W. , Tsuda Makoto , Inoue Kazuhide
Published: August 2016

Activation of purinergic receptors in the spinal cord by extracellular ATP is essential for neuropathic hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury (PNI). However, the cell type responsible for releasing ATP within the spinal cord after PNI is unknown. Here we show that PNI increases expression of vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) in the spinal cord. Extracellular ATP content ([ATP]e) within the spinal cord was increased after PNI, and this increase was suppressed by exocytotic inhibitors. Mice lacking VNUT did not show PNI-induced increase in [ATP]e and had attenuated hypersensitivity. These phenotypes were recapitulated in mice with specific deletion of VNUT in spinal dorsal horn (SDH) neurons, but not in mice lacking VNUT in primary sensory neurons, microglia or astrocytes. Conversely, ectopic VNUT expression in SDH neurons of VNUT-deficient mice restored PNI-induced increase in [ATP]e and pain. Thus, VNUT is necessary for exocytotic ATP release from SDH neurons which contributes to neuropathic pain.
Ab initio prediction of fast non-equilibrium transport of nascent polarons in SrI2: a key to high-performance scintillation
Authors: Zhou Fei , Sadigh Babak , Erhart Paul , Åberg Daniel
Published: August 2016

The excellent light yield proportionality of europium-doped strontium iodide (SrI2:Eu) has resulted in state-of-the-art γ-ray detectors with remarkably high-energy resolution, far exceeding that of most halide compounds. In this class of materials, the formation of self-trapped hole polarons is very common. However, polaron formation is usually expected to limit carrier mobilities and has been associated with poor scintillator light-yield proportionality and resolution. Here using a recently developed first-principles method, we perform an unprecedented study of polaron transport in SrI2, both for equilibrium polarons, as well as nascent polarons immediately following a self-trapping event. We propose a rationale for the unexpected high-energy resolution of SrI2. We identify nine stable hole polaron configurations, which consist of dimerised iodine pairs with polaron-binding energies of up to 0.5 eV. They are connected by a complex potential energy landscape that comprises 66 unique nearest-neighbour migration paths. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that a large fraction of polarons is born into configurations that migrate practically barrier free at room temperature. Consequently, carriers created during γ-irradiation can quickly diffuse away reducing the chance for non-linear recombination, the primary culprit for non-proportionality and resolution reduction. We conclude that the flat, albeit complex, landscape for polaron migration in SrI2 is a key for understanding its outstanding performance. This insight provides important guidance not only for the future development of high-performance scintillators but also of other materials, for which large polaron mobilities are crucial such as batteries and solid-state ionic conductors.
Contribution of point defects and nano-grains to thermal transport behaviours of oxide-based thermoelectrics
Authors: Ren Guang-Kun , Lan Jin-Le , Ventura Kyle J , Tan Xing , Lin Yuan-Hua , Nan Ce-Wen
Published: August 2016

Point defects and nano-grains are very effective ways to control the thermal conductivity in oxide-based thermoelectrics. Here we use the optimised Debye–Callaway model to understand how the effect of point defects and nano-grains to reduce the thermal conductivity by inducing normal process and oxygen vacancy in oxide-based thermoelectrics. Our results reveal that this model can be effective to fit the experimental data of thermal conductivity in ZnO-, CaMnO3-, BiCuSeO-, SrTiO3- and In2O3-based systems, which indicate that the normal scattering process and the oxygen vacancy will make obvious contribution to the thermal conductivity as compared with alloy compounds system. These calculations also propose that it could be desirable to obtain higher ZT by controlling the concentration of oxygen vacancy in the nano-grained thermoelectric oxides.
Anomalous orbital structure in a spinel–perovskite interface
Authors: Cao Yanwei , Liu Xiaoran , Shafer Padraic , Middey Srimanta , Meyers Derek , Kareev Mikhail , Zhong Zhicheng , Kim Jong-Woo , Ryan Philip J , Arenholz Elke , Chakhalian Jak
Published: August 2016

In all archetypical reported (001)-oriented perovskite heterostructures, it has been deduced that the preferential occupation of two-dimensional electron gases is in-plane dxy state. In sharp contrast to this, the investigated electronic structure of a spinel-perovskite heterostructure γ-Al2O3/SrTiO3 by resonant soft X-ray linear dichroism, demonstrates that the preferential occupation is in out-of-plane dxz/dyz states for interfacial electrons. Moreover, the impact of strain further corroborates that this anomalous orbital structure can be linked to the altered crystal field at the interface and symmetry breaking of the interfacial structural units. Our findings provide another interesting route to engineer emergent quantum states with deterministic orbital symmetry.
Transmission of biology and culture among post-contact Native Americans on the western Great Plains
Authors: Lycett Stephen J. , von Cramon-Taubadel Noreen
Published: August 2016

The transmission of genes and culture between human populations has major implications for understanding potential correlations between history, biological and cultural variation. Understanding such dynamics in 19th century, post-contact Native Americans on the western Great Plains is especially challenging given passage of time, complexity of known dynamics and difficulties of determining genetic patterns in historical populations for whom, even today, genetic data for their descendants are rare. Here, biometric data collected under the direction of Franz Boas from communities penecontemporaneous with the classic bison-hunting societies, were used as a proxy for genetic variation and analyzed together with cultural data. We show that both gene flow and “culture flow” among populations on the High Plains were mediated by geography, fitting a model of isolation-by-distance. Moreover, demographic and cultural exchange among these communities largely overrode the visible signal of the prior millennia of cultural and genetic histories of these populations.
Amperometric inhibitive biosensor based on horseradish peroxidase-nanoporous gold for sulfide determination
Authors: Sun Huihui , Liu Zhuang , Wu Chao , Xu Ping , Wang Xia
Published: August 2016

As a well-known toxic pollutant, sulfide is harmful to human health. In this study, a simple and sensitive amperometric inhibitive biosensor was developed for the determination of sulfide in the environment. By immobilizing nanoporous gold (NPG) on glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and encapsulating horseradish peroxidase (HRP) onto NPG, a HRP/NPG/GCE bioelectrode for sulfide detection was successfully constructed based on the inhibition of sulfide on HRP activity with o-Phenylenediamine (OPD) as a substrate. The resulted HRP/NPG/GCE bioelectrode achieved a wide linear range of 0.1–40 μM in sulfide detection with a high sensitivity of 1720 μA mM−1 cm−2 and a low detection limit of 0.027 μM. Additionally, the inhibition of sulfide on HRP is competitive inhibition with OPD as a substrate by Michaelis-Menten analysis. Notably, the recovery of HRP activity was quickly achieved by washing the HRP/NPG/GCE bioelectrode using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique in deaerated PBS (50 mM, pH 7.0) for only 60 s. Furthermore, the real sample analysis of sulfide by the HRP/NPG/GCE bioelectrode was achieved. Based on above results, the HRP/NPG/GCE bioelectrode could be a better choice for the real determination of sulfide compared to inhibitive biosensors previously reported.
Experimental and theoretical studies on inhibition of mild steel corrosion by some synthesized polyurethane tri-block co-polymers
Authors: Kumar Sudershan , Vashisht Hemlata , Olasunkanmi Lukman O. , Bahadur Indra , Verma Hemant , Singh Gurmeet , Obot Ime B. , Ebenso Eno E.
Published: August 2016

Polyurethane based tri-block copolymers namely poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-b-polyurethane-b-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PNVP-PU) and poly(dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate)-b-polyurethane-b-poly(dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate) (PDMAEMA-PU) were synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) mechanism. The synthesized polymers were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) methods. The corrosion inhibition performances of the compounds were investigated on mild steel (MS) in 0.5 M H2SO4medium using electrochemical measurements, surface analysis, quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamic simulations (MDS). Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) measurements revealed that the polymers are mixed-type corrosion inhibitors. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed that the polymers inhibit MS corrosion by adsorbing on MS surface to form pseudo-capacitive interface. The inhibitive effects of the polymers increase with increasing concentration and decrease with increasing temperature. The adsorption of both the polymers on MS surface obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and involves both physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses showed that the polymers formed protective film on MS surface and shield it from direct acid attack. Quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamic simulations studies corroborate experimental results.
Erratum: Partially ordered state of ice XV
Authors: Komatsu K. , Noritake F. , Machida S. , Sano-Furukawa A. , Hattori T. , Yamane R. , Kagi H.
Published: August 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 28920; published online: 04 July 2016; updated: 12 August 2016. The original version of this Article incorrectly listed ‘School of Material and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan’ as a present address for K.
Inhibition of DNA Methyltransferases Blocks Mutant Huntingtin-Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Pan Yanchun , Daito Takuji , Sasaki Yo , Chung Yong Hee , Xing Xiaoyun , Pondugula Santhi , Swamidass S. Joshua , Wang Ting , Kim Albert H. , Yano Hiroko
Published: August 2016

Although epigenetic abnormalities have been described in Huntington’s disease (HD), the causal epigenetic mechanisms driving neurodegeneration in HD cortex and striatum remain undefined. Using an epigenetic pathway-targeted drug screen, we report that inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), decitabine and FdCyd, block mutant huntingtin (Htt)-induced toxicity in primary cortical and striatal neurons. In addition, knockdown of DNMT3A or DNMT1 protected neurons against mutant Htt-induced toxicity, together demonstrating a requirement for DNMTs in mutant Htt-triggered neuronal death and suggesting a neurodegenerative mechanism based on DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional repression. Inhibition of DNMTs in HD model primary cortical or striatal neurons restored the expression of several key genes, including Bdnf, an important neurotrophic factor implicated in HD. Accordingly, the Bdnf promoter exhibited aberrant cytosine methylation in mutant Htt-expressing cortical neurons. In vivo, pharmacological inhibition of DNMTs in HD mouse brains restored the mRNA levels of key striatal genes known to be downregulated in HD. Thus, disturbances in DNA methylation play a critical role in mutant Htt-induced neuronal dysfunction and death, raising the possibility that epigenetic strategies targeting abnormal DNA methylation may have therapeutic utility in HD.
Rapid flow cytometric measurement of protein inclusions and nuclear trafficking
Authors: Whiten D. R. , San Gil R. , McAlary L. , Yerbury J. J. , Ecroyd H. , Wilson M. R.
Published: August 2016

Proteinaceous cytoplasmic inclusions are an indicator of dysfunction in normal cellular proteostasis and a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. We describe a simple and rapid new flow cytometry-based method to enumerate, characterise and, if desired, physically recover protein inclusions from cells. This technique can analyse and resolve a broad variety of inclusions differing in both size and protein composition, making it applicable to essentially any model of intracellular protein aggregation. The method also allows rapid quantification of the nuclear trafficking of fluorescently labelled molecules.
Coherent control of light-matter interactions in polarization standing waves
Authors: Fang Xu , MacDonald Kevin F. , Plum Eric , Zheludev Nikolay I.
Published: August 2016

We experimentally demonstrate that standing waves formed by two coherent counter-propagating light waves can take a variety of forms, offering new approaches to the interrogation and control of polarization-sensitive light-matter interactions in ultrathin (subwavelength thickness) media. In contrast to familiar energy standing waves, polarization standing waves have constant electric and magnetic energy densities and a periodically varying polarization state along the wave axis. counterintuitively, anisotropic ultrathin (meta)materials can be made sensitive or insensitive to such polarization variations by adjusting their azimuthal angle.
Modulation of electrical potential and conductivity in an atomic-layer semiconductor heterojunction
Authors: Kobayashi Yu , Yoshida Shoji , Sakurada Ryuji , Takashima Kengo , Yamamoto Takahiro , Saito Tetsuki , Konabe Satoru , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Maniwa Yutaka , Takeuchi Osamu , Shigekawa Hidemi , Miyata Yasumitsu
Published: August 2016

Semiconductor heterojunction interfaces have been an important topic, both in modern solid state physics and in electronics and optoelectronics applications. Recently, the heterojunctions of atomically-thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are expected to realize one-dimensional (1D) electronic systems at their heterointerfaces due to their tunable electronic properties. Herein, we report unique conductivity enhancement and electrical potential modulation of heterojunction interfaces based on TMDC bilayers consisted of MoS2 and WS2. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy analyses showed the formation of 1D confining potential (potential barrier) in the valence (conduction) band, as well as bandgap narrowing around the heterointerface. The modulation of electronic properties were also probed as the increase of current in conducting atomic force microscopy. Notably, the observed band bending can be explained by the presence of 1D fixed charges around the heterointerface. The present findings indicate that the atomic layer heterojunctions provide a novel approach to realizing tunable 1D electrical potential for embedded quantum wires and ultrashort barriers of electrical transport.
Regulation of B cell differentiation by the ubiquitin-binding protein TAX1BP1
Authors: Matsushita Nobuko , Suzuki Midori , Ikebe Emi , Nagashima Shun , Inatome Ryoko , Asano Kenichi , Tanaka Masato , Matsushita Masayuki , Kondo Eisaku , Iha Hidekatsu , Yanagi Shigeru
Published: August 2016

Tax1-binding protein 1 (TAX1BP1) is a ubiquitin-binding protein that restricts nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and facilitates the termination of aberrant inflammation. However, its roles in B-cell activation and differentiation are poorly understood. To evaluate the function of TAX1BP1 in B cells, we established TAX1BP1-deficient DT40 B cells that are hyper-responsive to CD40-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation signaling, exhibit prolonged and exaggerated ERK phosphorylation and show enhanced B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp-1; a transcription factor inducing plasma cell differentiation) expression that is ERK-dependent. Furthermore, TAX1BP1-deficient cells exhibit significantly decreased surface IgM expression and increased IgM secretion. Moreover, TAX1BP1-deficient mice display reduced germinal center formation and antigen-specific antibody production. These findings show that TAX1BP1 restricts ERK activation and Blimp-1 expression and regulates germinal center formation.
Hybrid threshold adaptable quantum secret sharing scheme with reverse Huffman-Fibonacci-tree coding
Authors: Lai Hong , Zhang Jun , Luo Ming-Xing , Pan Lei , Pieprzyk Josef , Xiao Fuyuan , Orgun Mehmet A.
Published: August 2016

With prevalent attacks in communication, sharing a secret between communicating parties is an ongoing challenge. Moreover, it is important to integrate quantum solutions with classical secret sharing schemes with low computational cost for the real world use. This paper proposes a novel hybrid threshold adaptable quantum secret sharing scheme, using an m-bonacci orbital angular momentum (OAM) pump, Lagrange interpolation polynomials, and reverse Huffman-Fibonacci-tree coding. To be exact, we employ entangled states prepared by m-bonacci sequences to detect eavesdropping. Meanwhile, we encode m-bonacci sequences in Lagrange interpolation polynomials to generate the shares of a secret with reverse Huffman-Fibonacci-tree coding. The advantages of the proposed scheme is that it can detect eavesdropping without joint quantum operations, and permits secret sharing for an arbitrary but no less than threshold-value number of classical participants with much lower bandwidth. Also, in comparison with existing quantum secret sharing schemes, it still works when there are dynamic changes, such as the unavailability of some quantum channel, the arrival of new participants and the departure of participants. Finally, we provide security analysis of the new hybrid quantum secret sharing scheme and discuss its useful features for modern applications.
PoplarGene: poplar gene network and resource for mining functional information for genes from woody plants
Authors: Liu Qi , Ding Changjun , Chu Yanguang , Chen Jiafei , Zhang Weixi , Zhang Bingyu , Huang Qinjun , Su Xiaohua
Published: August 2016

Poplar is not only an important resource for the production of paper, timber and other wood-based products, but it has also emerged as an ideal model system for studying woody plants. To better understand the biological processes underlying various traits in poplar, e.g., wood development, a comprehensive functional gene interaction network is highly needed. Here, we constructed a genome-wide functional gene network for poplar (covering ~70% of the 41,335 poplar genes) and created the network web service PoplarGene, offering comprehensive functional interactions and extensive poplar gene functional annotations. PoplarGene incorporates two network-based gene prioritization algorithms, neighborhood-based prioritization and context-based prioritization, which can be used to perform gene prioritization in a complementary manner. Furthermore, the co-functional information in PoplarGene can be applied to other woody plant proteomes with high efficiency via orthology transfer. In addition to poplar gene sequences, the webserver also accepts Arabidopsis reference gene as input to guide the search for novel candidate functional genes in PoplarGene. We believe that PoplarGene (http://bioinformatics.caf.ac.cn/PoplarGene and http://124.127.201.25/PoplarGene) will greatly benefit the research community, facilitating studies of poplar and other woody plants.
The opposite prognostic effect of NDUFS1 and NDUFS8 in lung cancer reflects the oncojanus role of mitochondrial complex I
Authors: Su Chia-Yi , Chang Yu-Chan , Yang Chih-Jen , Huang Ming-Shyan , Hsiao Michael
Published: August 2016

A recent surge of research on complex I mitochondrial DNA indicates that complex I disassembly regulated by mutation threshold plays a critical role in tumor progression. However, nuclear DNA (nDNA)-encoded core subunits are still a neglected area for cancer investigation. In this study, respective prognostic contributions of 7 nDNA-encoded core subunits were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and RNA expression data extracted from public resources. The results showed that NDUFS1 and NDUFS8 had the most significant prognostic power in NSCLC patients among all 7 nDNA-encoded core subunits. Patients with low NDUFS1 or high NDUFS8 IHC and RNA expression levels had poor overall survival. Because of the significant correlation between expressions of 7 nDNA-encoded core subunits, multivariate analysis was performed and identified NDUFS1 and NDUFS8 IHC and RNA expression levels retained their leading prognostic roles. By combining NDFUS1 and NDUFS8 as a panel, the most unfavorable prognostic group had a 14-fold increased risk of poor prognosis than the most favorable prognostic group. In conclusion, the opposite prognostic effect of nDNA-encoded core subunits suggests the oncojanus role of nuclear genes regulating complex I dysfunction. The panel with NDUFS1 and NDUFS8 reflecting tumor metabolism status is a novel prognostic predictor for lung cancer.
Dissociable effects of the prodrug phendimetrazine and its metabolite phenmetrazine at dopamine transporters
Authors: Solis Ernesto , Suyama Julie A. , Lazenka Matthew F. , DeFelice Louis J. , Negus S. Stevens , Blough Bruce E. , Banks Matthew L.
Published: August 2016

Phendimetrazine (PDM) is a clinically available anorectic and a candidate pharmacotherapy for cocaine addiction. PDM has been hypothesized to function as a prodrug that requires metabolism to the amphetamine-like monoamine transporter substrate phenmetrazine (PM) to produce its pharmacological effects; however, whether PDM functions as an inactive prodrug or has pharmacological activity on its own remains unclear. The study aim was to determine PDM pharmacological mechanisms using electrophysiological, neurochemical, and behavioral procedures. PDM blocked the endogenous basal hDAT (human dopamine transporter) current in voltage-clamped (−60 mV) oocytes consistent with a DAT inhibitor profile, whereas its metabolite PM induced an inward hDAT current consistent with a DAT substrate profile. PDM also attenuated the PM-induced inward current during co-application, providing further evidence that PDM functions as a DAT inhibitor. PDM increased nucleus accumbens dopamine levels and facilitated electrical brain stimulation reinforcement within 10 min in rats, providing in vivo evidence supporting PDM pharmacological activity. These results demonstrate that PDM functions as a DAT inhibitor that may also interact with the pharmacological effects of its metabolite PM. Overall, these results suggest a novel mechanism for PDM therapeutic effects via initial PDM DAT inhibition followed by PM DAT substrate-induced dopamine release.
A Dominant Social Comparison Heuristic Unites Alternative Mechanisms for the Evolution of Indirect Reciprocity
Authors: Whitaker Roger M. , Colombo Gualtiero B. , Allen Stuart M. , Dunbar Robin I. M.
Published: August 2016

Cooperation is a fundamental human trait but our understanding of how it functions remains incomplete. Indirect reciprocity is a particular case in point, where one-shot donations are made to unrelated beneficiaries without any guarantee of payback. Existing insights are largely from two independent perspectives: i) individual-level cognitive behaviour in decision making, and ii) identification of conditions that favour evolution of cooperation. We identify a fundamental connection between these two areas by examining social comparison as a means through which indirect reciprocity can evolve. Social comparison is well established as an inherent human disposition through which humans navigate the social world by self-referential evaluation of others. Donating to those that are at least as reputable as oneself emerges as a dominant heuristic, which represents aspirational homophily. This heuristic is found to be implicitly present in the current knowledge of conditions that favour indirect reciprocity. The effective social norms for updating reputation are also observed to support this heuristic. We hypothesise that the cognitive challenge associated with social comparison has contributed to cerebral expansion and the disproportionate human brain size, consistent with the social complexity hypothesis. The findings have relevance for the evolution of autonomous systems that are characterised by one-shot interactions.
Hierarchical core-shell NiCo2O4@NiMoO4 nanowires grown on carbon cloth as integrated electrode for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Liang , Zhang Wei , Xiang Jinwei , Xu Henghui , Li Guolong , Huang Yunhui
Published: August 2016

Hierarchical core-shell NiCo2O4@NiMoO4 nanowires were grown on carbon cloth (CC@NiCo2O4@NiMoO4) by a two-step hydrothermal route to fabricate a flexible binder-free electrode. The prepared CC@NiCo2O4@NiMoO4 integrated electrode was directly used as an electrode for faradaic supercapacitor. It shows a high areal capacitance of 2.917 F cm−2 at 2 mA cm−2 and excellent cycling stability with 90.6% retention over 2000 cycles at a high current density of 20 mA cm−2. The superior specific capacitance, rate and cycling performance can be ascribed to the fast transferring path for electrons and ions, synergic effect and the stability of the hierarchical core-shell structure.
Histological response of soda-lime glass-ceramic bactericidal rods implanted in the jaws of beagle dogs
Authors: Moya José S. , Martínez Arturo , López-Píriz Roberto , Guitián Francisco , Díaz Luis A. , Esteban-Tejeda Leticia , Cabal Belén , Sket Federico , Fernández-García Elisa , Tomsia Antoni P. , Torrecillas Ramón
Published: August 2016

Bacterial and fungal infections remain a major clinical challenge. Implant infections very often require complicated revision procedures that are troublesome to patients and costly to the healthcare system. Innovative approaches to tackle infections are urgently needed. We investigated the histological response of novel free P2O5 glass-ceramic rods implanted in the jaws of beagle dogs. Due to the particular percolated morphology of this glass-ceramic, the dissolution of the rods in the animal body environment and the immature bone formation during the fourth months of implantation maintained the integrity of the glass-ceramic rod. No clinical signs of inflammation took place in any of the beagle dogs during the four months of implantation. This new glass-ceramic biomaterial with inherent bactericidal and fungicidal properties can be considered as an appealing candidate for bone tissue engineering.
Growth of Epitaxial Oxide Thin Films on Graphene
Authors: Zou Bin , Walker Clementine , Wang Kai , Tileli Vasiliki , Shaforost Olena , Harrison Nicholas M. , Klein Norbert , Alford Neil M. , Petrov Peter K.
Published: August 2016

The transfer process of graphene onto the surface of oxide substrates is well known. However, for many devices, we require high quality oxide thin films on the surface of graphene. This step is not understood. It is not clear why the oxide should adopt the epitaxy of the underlying oxide layer when it is deposited on graphene where there is no lattice match. To date there has been no explanation or suggestion of mechanisms which clarify this step. Here we show a mechanism, supported by first principles simulation and structural characterisation results, for the growth of oxide thin films on graphene. We describe the growth of epitaxial SrTiO3 (STO) thin films on a graphene and show that local defects in the graphene layer (e.g. grain boundaries) act as bridge-pillar spots that enable the epitaxial growth of STO thin films on the surface of the graphene layer. This study and in particular the suggestion of a mechanism for epitaxial growth of oxides on graphene, offers new directions to exploit the development of oxide/graphene multilayer structures and devices.
Microstructure evolution with varied layer thickness in magnetron-sputtered Ni/C multilayer films
Authors: Peng Jichang , Li Wenbin , Huang Qiushi , Wang Zhanshan
Published: August 2016

The microstructure evolution of magnetron-sputtered Ni/C multilayers was investigated by varying the Ni and C layer thickness in the region of a few nanometers. For the samples having 2.6-nm-thick C layers, the interface width increases from 0.37 to 0.81 nm as the Ni layer thickness decreases from 4.3 to 1.3 nm. Especially for the samples with Ni layers less than 2.0 nm, the interface width changes significantly due to the discontinuously distributed Ni crystallites. For the samples having 2.8-nm-thick Ni layers, the interface width increases from 0.37 to 0.59 nm when the C layer thickness decreases from 4.3 to 0.7 nm. The evolution of interface microstructures with varied Ni and C layers is explained based on a proposed simple growth model of Ni and C layers.
Enhanced tumor targeting of cRGD peptide-conjugated albumin nanoparticles in the BxPC-3 cell line
Authors: Yu Xinzhe , Song Yunlong , Di Yang , He Hang , Fu Deliang , Jin Chen
Published: August 2016

The emerging albumin nanoparticle brings new hope for the delivery of antitumor drugs. However, a lack of robust tumor targeting greatly limits its application. In this paper, cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic-conjugated, gemcitabine-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles (cRGD-Gem-HSA-NPs) were successfully prepared, characterized, and tested in vitro in the BxPC-3 cell line. Initially, 4-N-myristoyl-gemcitabine (Gem-C14) was formed by conjugating myristoyl to the 4-amino group of gemcitabine. Then, cRGD-HSA was synthesized using sulfosuccinimidyl-(4-N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (Sulfo-SMCC) cross-linkers. Finally, cRGD-Gem-HSA-NPs were formulated based on the nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) technology. The resulting NPs were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading efficiency. In vitro cellular uptake and inhibition studies were conducted to compare Gem-HSA-NPs and cRGD-Gem-HSA-NPs in a human pancreatic cancer cell line (BxPC-3). The cRGD-Gem-HSA-NPs exhibited an average particle size of 160 ± 23 nm. The encapsulation rate and drug loading rate were approximately 83 ± 5.6% and 11 ± 4.2%, respectively. In vitro, the cRGD-anchored NPs exhibited a significantly greater affinity for the BxPC-3 cells compared to non-targeted NPs and free drug. The cRGD-Gem-HSA-NPs also showed the strongest inhibitory effect in the BxPC-3 cells among all the analyzed groups. The improved efficacy of cRGD-Gem-HSA-NPs in the BxPC-3 cell line warrants further in vivo investigations.
The nephronophthisis-related gene ift-139 is required for ciliogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Niwa Shinsuke
Published: August 2016

Defects in cilia cause a spectrum of diseases known as ciliopathies. Nephronophthisis, a ciliopathy, is the most common genetic cause of renal disease. Here, I cloned and analysed a nephronophthisis-related gene ift-139 in Caenorhabditis elegans. ift-139 was exclusively expressed in ciliated neurons in C. elegans. Genetic and cellular analyses suggest that ift-139 plays a role in retrograde intraflagellar transport and is required for cilia formation. A homologous point mutation that causes ciliopathy disrupted the function of ift-139 in C. elegans. ift-139 is an orthologue of human TTC21B, mutations in which are known to cause nephronophthisis 12 and short-rib thoracic dysplasia 4. These results suggest that ift-139 is evolutionarily conserved and fundamental to the formation of cilia.