bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Swarm Satellite and EISCAT Radar Observations of a Plasma Flow Channel in the Auroral Oval Near Magnetic Midnight
Authors: Aikio A. T. , Vanhamäki H. , Workayehu A. B. , Virtanen I. I. , Kauristie K. , Juusola L. , Buchert S. , Knudsen D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe present Swarm satellite and EISCAT radar observations of electrodynamical parameters in the midnight sector at high latitudes. The most striking feature is a plasma flow channel located equatorward of the polar cap boundary within the dawn convection cell. The flow channel is 1.5° wide in latitude and contains southward electric field of 150 mV/m, corresponding to eastward plasma velocities of 3,300 m/s in the F‐region ionosphere. The theoretically computed ion temperature enhancement produced by the observed ion velocity is in accordance with the measured one by the EISCAT radar. The total width of the auroral oval is about 10° in latitude. While the poleward part is electric field dominant with low conductivity and the flow channel, the equatorward part is conductivity dominant with at least five auroral arcs. The main part of the westward electrojet flows in the conductivity dominant part, but it extends to the electric field dominant part. According to Kamide and Kokubun (1996), the whole midnight sector westward electrojet is expected to be conductivity dominant, so the studied event challenges the traditional view. The flow channel is observed after substorm onset. We suggest that the observed flow channel, which is associated with a 13‐kV horizontal potential difference, accommodates increased nightside plasma flows during the substorm expansion phase as a result of reconnection in the near‐Earth magnetotail.
Special temperatures in frustrated ferromagnets
Authors: Bovo L. , Twengström M. , Petrenko O. A. , Fennell T. , Gingras M. J. P. , Bramwell S. T. , Henelius P. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe description and detection of unconventional magnetic states, such as spin liquids, is a recurring topic in condensed matter physics. While much of the efforts have traditionally been directed at geometrically frustrated antiferromagnets, recent studies reveal that systems featuring competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions are also promising candidate materials. We find that this competition leads to the notion of special temperatures, analogous to those of gases, at which the competing interactions balance, and the system is quasi-ideal. Although induced by weak perturbing interactions, these special temperatures are surprisingly high and constitute an accessible experimental diagnostic of eventual order or spin-liquid properties. The well characterised Hamiltonian and extended low-temperature susceptibility measurement of the canonical frustrated ferromagnet Dy2Ti2O7 enables us to formulate both a phenomenological and microscopic theory of special temperatures for magnets. Other members of this class of magnets include kapellasite Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 and the spinel GeCo2O4.
High-fidelity entanglement between a trapped ion and a telecom photon via quantum frequency conversion
Authors: Bock Matthias , Eich Pascal , Kucera Stephan , Kreis Matthias , Lenhard Andreas , Becher Christoph , Eschner Jürgen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEntanglement between a stationary quantum system and a flying qubit is an essential ingredient of a quantum-repeater network. It has been demonstrated for trapped ions, trapped atoms, color centers in diamond, or quantum dots. These systems have transition wavelengths in the blue, red or near-infrared spectral regions, whereas long-range fiber-communication requires wavelengths in the low-loss, low-dispersion telecom regime. A proven tool to interconnect flying qubits at visible/NIR wavelengths to the telecom bands is quantum frequency conversion. Here we use an efficient polarization-preserving frequency converter connecting 854 nm to the telecom O-band at 1310 nm to demonstrate entanglement between a trapped 40Ca+ ion and the polarization state of a telecom photon with a high fidelity of 98.2 ± 0.2%. The unique combination of 99.75 ± 0.18% process fidelity in the polarization-state conversion, 26.5% external frequency conversion efficiency and only 11.4 photons/s conversion-induced unconditional background makes the converter a powerful ion–telecom quantum interface.
Nanoparticle-templated nanofiltration membranes for ultrahigh performance desalination
Authors: Wang Zhenyi , Wang Zhangxin , Lin Shihong , Jin Huile , Gao Shoujian , Zhu Yuzhang , Jin Jian 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNanofiltration (NF) membranes with ultrahigh permeance and high rejection are highly beneficial for efficient desalination and wastewater treatment. Improving water permeance while maintaining the high rejection of state-of-the-art thin film composite (TFC) NF membranes remains a great challenge. Herein, we report the fabrication of a TFC NF membrane with a crumpled polyamide (PA) layer via interfacial polymerization on a single-walled carbon nanotubes/polyether sulfone composite support loaded with nanoparticles as a sacrificial templating material, using metal-organic framework nanoparticles (ZIF-8) as an example. The nanoparticles, which can be removed by water dissolution after interfacial polymerization, facilitate the formation of a rough PA active layer with crumpled nanostructure. The NF membrane obtained thereby exhibits high permeance up to 53.5 l m−2h−1 bar−1 with a rejection above 95% for Na2SO4, yielding an overall desalination performance superior to state-of-the-art NF membranes reported so far. Our work provides a simple avenue to fabricate advanced PA NF membranes with outstanding performance.
Transcriptional timing and noise of yeast cell cycle regulators—a single cell and single molecule approach
Authors: Amoussouvi Aouefa , Teufel Lotte , Reis Matthias , Seeger Martin , Schlichting Julia Katharina , Schreiber Gabriele , Herrmann Andreas , Klipp Edda 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGene expression is a stochastic process and its appropriate regulation is critical for cell cycle progression. Cellular stress response necessitates expression reprogramming and cell cycle arrest. While previous studies are mostly based on bulk experiments influenced by synchronization effects or lack temporal distribution, time-resolved methods on single cells are needed to understand eukaryotic cell cycle in context of noisy gene expression and external perturbations. Using smFISH, microscopy and morphological markers, we monitored mRNA abundances over cell cycle phases and calculated transcriptional noise for SIC1, CLN2, and CLB5, the main G1/S transition regulators in budding yeast. We employed mathematical modeling for in silico synchronization and for derivation of time-courses from single cell data. This approach disclosed detailed quantitative insights into transcriptional regulation with and without stress, not available from bulk experiments before. First, besides the main peak in G1 we found an upshift of CLN2 and CLB5 expression in late mitosis. Second, all three genes showed basal expression throughout cell cycle enlightening that transcription is not divided in on and off but rather in high and low phases. Finally, exposing cells to osmotic stress revealed different periods of transcriptional inhibition for CLN2 and CLB5 and the impact of stress on cell cycle phase duration. Combining experimental and computational approaches allowed us to precisely assess cell cycle progression timing, as well as gene expression dynamics.
Thomson scattering in inhomogeneous plasmas: The Role of the Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem
Authors: Belyi V. V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA self-consistent kinetic theory of Thomson scattering of an electromagnetic field by a non-uniform plasma is derived. We draw the readers’ attention to the inconsistency in recent results on the Thomson scattering in inhomogeneous plasma, which leads to violation of the Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem. We show, that not only the imaginary part, but also the derivatives of the real part of the dielectric susceptibility determine the amplitude and the width of the Thomson scattering spectral lines. As a result of inhomogeneity, these properties become asymmetric with respect to inversion of the sign of the frequency. A method is proposed for measuring local gradients of the electron density with the aid of Thomson scattering.Arising from: P. Kozlowski, et al. Sci. Rep. 6, 24283 (2016); https://doi.org/10.1038/srep24283.
An Oil-Free Picodrop Bioassay Platform for Synthetic Biology
Authors: Siltanen Christian A. , Cole Russell H. , Poust Sean , Chao Lawrence , Tyerman Jabus , Kaufmann-Malaga Benjamin , Ubersax Jeff , Gartner Zev J. , Abate Adam R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDroplet microfluidics enables massively-parallel analysis of single cells, biomolecules, and chemicals, making it valuable for high-throughput screens. However, many hydrophobic analytes are soluble in carrier oils, preventing their quantitative analysis with the method. We apply Printed Droplet Microfluidics to construct defined reactions with chemicals and cells incubated under air on an open array. The method interfaces with most bioanalytical tools and retains hydrophobic compounds in compartmentalized reactors, allowing their quantitation.
Trophic overlap between expanding and contracting fish predators in a range margin undergoing change
Authors: Westerbom Mats , Lappalainen Antti , Mustonen Olli , Norkko Alf 
Published: May 2018

AbstractClimate change is predicted to cause a freshening of the Baltic Sea, facilitating range expansions of freshwater species and contractions of marine. Resident marine flounders (Platichthys flesus) and expansive freshwater roach (Rutilus rutilus) are dominant consumers in the Baltic Sea sublittoral where they occur in partial sympatry. By comparing patterns of resource use by flounders and roach along a declining resource gradient of blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus) our aim was to explore predator functional responses and the degree of trophic overlap. Understanding the nature of density-dependent prey acquisition has important implications for predicting population dynamics of both predators and their shared prey. Results showed a highly specialized diet for both species, high reliance on blue mussels throughout the range, similar prey size preference and high trophic overlap. Highest overlap occurred where blue mussels were abundant but overlap was also high where they were scarce. Our results highlight the importance of a single food item - the blue mussel - for both species, likely promoting high population size and range expansion of roach. Findings also suggest that range expansion of roach may have a top-down structuring force on mussels that differ in severity and location from that originating from resident flounders.
Correlating the nanostructure of Al-oxide with deposition conditions and dielectric contributions of two-level systems in perspective of superconducting quantum circuits
Authors: Fritz S. , Seiler A. , Radtke L. , Schneider R. , Weides M. , Weiß G. , Gerthsen D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis work is concerned with Al/Al-oxide(AlOx)/Al-layer systems which are important for Josephson-junction-based superconducting devices such as quantum bits. The device performance is limited by noise, which has been to a large degree assigned to the presence and properties of two-level tunneling systems in the amorphous AlOx tunnel barrier. The study is focused on the correlation of the fabrication conditions, nanostructural and nanochemical properties and the occurrence of two-level tunneling systems with particular emphasis on the AlOx-layer. Electron-beam evaporation with two different processes and sputter deposition were used for structure fabrication, and the effect of illumination by ultraviolet light during Al-oxide formation is elucidated. Characterization was performed by analytical transmission electron microscopy and low-temperature dielectric measurements. We show that the fabrication conditions have a strong impact on the nanostructural and nanochemical properties of the layer systems and the properties of two-level tunneling systems. Based on the understanding of the observed structural characteristics, routes are suggested towards the fabrication of Al/AlOx/Al-layers systems with improved properties.
Assessing the utility of frequency tagging for tracking memory-based reactivation of word representations
Authors: Lewis Ashley Glen , Schriefers Herbert , Bastiaansen Marcel , Schoffelen Jan-Mathijs 
Published: May 2018

AbstractReinstatement of memory-related neural activity measured with high temporal precision potentially provides a useful index for real-time monitoring of the timing of activation of memory content during cognitive processing. The utility of such an index extends to any situation where one is interested in the (relative) timing of activation of different sources of information in memory, a paradigm case of which is tracking lexical activation during language processing. Essential for this approach is that memory reinstatement effects are robust, so that their absence (in the average) definitively indicates that no lexical activation is present. We used electroencephalography to test the robustness of a reported subsequent memory finding involving reinstatement of frequency-specific entrained oscillatory brain activity during subsequent recognition. Participants learned lists of words presented on a background flickering at either 6 or 15 Hz to entrain a steady-state brain response. Target words subsequently presented on a non-flickering background that were correctly identified as previously seen exhibited reinstatement effects at both entrainment frequencies. Reliability of these statistical inferences was however critically dependent on the approach used for multiple comparisons correction. We conclude that effects are not robust enough to be used as a reliable index of lexical activation during language processing.
Massively Parallel Coincidence Counting of High-Dimensional Entangled States
Authors: Reichert Matthew , Defienne Hugo , Fleischer Jason W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEntangled states of light are essential for quantum technologies and fundamental tests of physics. Current systems rely on entanglement in 2D degrees of freedom, e.g., polarization states. Increasing the dimensionality provides exponential speed-up of quantum computation, enhances the channel capacity and security of quantum communication protocols, and enables quantum imaging; unfortunately, characterizing high-dimensional entanglement of even bipartite quantum states remains prohibitively time-consuming. Here, we develop and experimentally demonstrate a new theory of camera detection that leverages the massive parallelization inherent in an array of pixels. We show that a megapixel array, for example, can measure a joint Hilbert space of 1012 dimensions, with a speed-up of nearly four orders-of-magnitude over traditional methods. The technique uses standard geometry with existing technology, thus removing barriers of entry to quantum imaging experiments, generalizes readily to arbitrary numbers of entangled photons, and opens previously inaccessible regimes of high-dimensional quantum optics.
Genome-wide analysis of circular RNAs in bovine cumulus cells treated with BMP15 and GDF9
Authors: Fu Yao , Jiang Hao , Liu Jian-Bo , Sun Xu-Lei , Zhang Zhe , Li Sheng , Gao Yan , Yuan Bao , Zhang Jia-Bao 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are important members of the non-coding RNA family, and those relating to animal physiologies have been widely studied in recent years. This study aimed to explore the roles of circRNAs in the regulation of follicular development. We constructed four bovine cumulus cell cDNA libraries, including a negative control group (NC) and groups treated with BMP15, GDF9 and BMP15 + GDF9, and we sequenced the libraries on the Illumina HiSeq Xten platform. We identified 1706 circRNAs and screened for differential circRNA expression. We conducted a bioinformatics analysis of these circRNAs and screened for differential circRNAs. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis of the host genes showed that the differential circRNAs were related to locomotion, reproduction, biological adhesion, growth, rhythmic processes, biological phases and hormone secretion. According to the differential expression of circRNA between groups, there were 3 up-regulated and 6 down-regulated circRNAs in the BMP15 group as well as 12 up-regulated and 24 down-regulated circRNAs in the GDF9 group. Co-addition of both BMP15 and GDF9 resulted in 15 up-regulated and 13 down-regulated circRNAs. circ_n/a_75,circ_12691_1 and circ_n/a_303 were altered in both the BMP15 and GDF9 groups as well as in the BMP15 + GDF9 combination group. We focused on these three circRNAs because they were potentially associated with the additive effect of BMP15 and GDF9. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of these three circRNAs were consistent with the sequencing results. In addition, the target miRNAs of circ_n/a_75 and circ_n/a_303, miR-339a, miR-2400 and miR-30c, were down-regulated in the experimental group, which was in contrast to the circRNAs trend. These findings demonstrated that BMP15 and GDF9 may regulate the target gene through circRNA, as a miRNA sponge, in order to regulate the status of bovine cumulus cells and affect follicular development.
Spin supersolid phase in coupled alternating spin chains
Authors: Heydarinasab F. , Abouie J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe study the ground state phase diagram of a two dimensional mixed-spin system of coupled alternating spin-1 and 1/2 chains with a stripe supersolid phase. Utilizing different analytical and numerical approaches such as mean field approximation, cluster mean field theory and linear spin wave theory, we demonstrate that our system displays a rich ground state phase diagram including novel stripe supersolid, solids with different fillings and super-counterfluid phases, in addition to a stripe solid with half filling, superfluid and Mott insulating phases. In order to find a minimal mixed-spin model for stripe supersolidity, in the second part of the paper we consider two kinds of mixed-spin system of coupled alternating spin-1 and 1/2 chains with (i) anisotropic nearest neighbor interactions, (ii) anisotropic hoppings and study their ground state phase diagrams. We demonstrate that, for the systems with uniform hoppings, the repulsive intra-chains interactions are necessary for stripe supersolidity. In this case the minimal two dimensional mixed-spin model is a system of spin-1 and spin-1/2 XXZ chains, interacting via Ising Hamiltonian. In the case of anisotropic hoppings, a system of coupled Ising chains is the minimal model.
Archetypal transcriptional blocks underpin yeast gene regulation in response to changes in growth conditions
Authors: Talavera David , Kershaw Christopher J. , Costello Joseph L. , Castelli Lydia M. , Rowe William , Sims Paul F. G. , Ashe Mark P. , Grant Chris M. , Pavitt Graham D. , Hubbard Simon J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe transcriptional responses of yeast cells to diverse stresses typically include gene activation and repression. Specific stress defense, citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation genes are activated, whereas protein synthesis genes are coordinately repressed. This view was achieved from comparative transcriptomic experiments delineating sets of genes whose expression greatly changed with specific stresses. Less attention has been paid to the biological significance of 1) consistent, albeit modest, changes in RNA levels across multiple conditions, and 2) the global gene expression correlations observed when comparing numerous genome-wide studies. To address this, we performed a meta-analysis of 1379 microarray-based experiments in yeast, and identified 1388 blocks of RNAs whose expression changes correlate across multiple and diverse conditions. Many of these blocks represent sets of functionally-related RNAs that act in a coordinated fashion under normal and stress conditions, and map to global cell defense and growth responses. Subsequently, we used the blocks to analyze novel RNA-seq experiments, demonstrating their utility and confirming the conclusions drawn from the meta-analysis. Our results provide a new framework for understanding the biological significance of changes in gene expression: ‘archetypal’ transcriptional blocks that are regulated in a concerted fashion in response to external stimuli.
The Cardiometabolic Burden of Self-Perceived Obesity: A Multilevel Analysis of a Nationally Representative Sample of Korean Adults
Authors: Kim Yongjoo , Austin S. Bryn , Subramanian S V , Kawachi Ichiro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEmerging evidence has shown that self-perception of overweight/obese status is associated with unfavorable cardiometabolic outcomes, above and beyond actual body weight. Given the lack of research among Asian populations, we examined the association between weight perception and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiometabolic risks among Koreans. Data from the 2010–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including women (N = 12,181) and men (N = 9,448) aged 19–65 years, were analyzed. Weight status perception was measured by participants’ self-evaluation of their body size (“very/slightly obese,” “normal,” and “very/slightly thin”). Overall, 23.2% of women and 28.7% of men had MetS. Our cross-sectional multilevel logistic analyses showed a significant positive association between self-perceived obesity (vs. perceived normal weight) and MetS, independent of BMI and sociodemographic/behavioral/medical conditions, with a stronger association detected among men (OR = 1.38, p < 0.05) than women (OR = 1.22, p < 0.05), confirmed by a statistically significant interaction. Additionally, perceived obesity was associated with high blood pressure (OR = 1.27, p < 0.05) and high triglycerides (OR = 1.38, p < 0.05) among men and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.15, p < 0.05) among women. While further prospective research is needed, our findings suggest that perception of being obese may be an unfavorable indicator of cardiometabolic health among Koreans regardless of actual body weight.
North American domestic pigs are susceptible to experimental infection with Japanese encephalitis virus
Authors: Park So Lee , Huang Yan-Jang S. , Lyons Amy C. , Ayers Victoria B. , Hettenbach Susan M. , McVey D. Scott , Burton Kenneth R. , Higgs Stephen , Vanlandingham Dana L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is capable of causing encephalitic diseases in children. While humans can succumb to severe disease, the transmission cycle is maintained by viremic birds and pigs in endemic regions. Although JEV is regarded as a significant threat to the United States (U.S.), the susceptibility of domestic swine to JEV infection has not been evaluated. In this study, domestic pigs from North America were intravenously challenged with JEV to characterize the pathological outcomes. Systemic infection followed by the development of neutralizing antibodies were observed in all challenged animals. While most clinical signs were limited to nonspecific symptoms, virus dissemination and neuroinvasion was observed at the acute phase of infection. Detection of infectious viruses in nasal secretions suggest infected animals are likely to promote the vector-free transmission of JEV. Viral RNA present in tonsils at 28 days post infection demonstrates the likelihood of persistent infection. In summary, our findings indicate that domestic pigs can potentially become amplification hosts in the event of an introduction of JEV into the U.S. Vector-free transmission to immunologically naïve vertebrate hosts is also likely through nasal shedding of infectious viruses.