bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra-high thermal effusivity materials for resonant ambient thermal energy harvesting
Authors: Cottrill Anton L. , Liu Albert Tianxiang , Kunai Yuichiro , Koman Volodymyr B. , Kaplan Amir , Mahajan Sayalee G. , Liu Pingwei , Toland Aubrey R. , Strano Michael S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMaterials science has made progress in maximizing or minimizing the thermal conductivity of materials; however, the thermal effusivity—related to the product of conductivity and capacity—has received limited attention, despite its importance in the coupling of thermal energy to the environment. Herein, we design materials that maximize the thermal effusivity by impregnating copper and nickel foams with conformal, chemical-vapor-deposited graphene and octadecane as a phase change material. These materials are ideal for ambient energy harvesting in the form of what we call thermal resonators to generate persistent electrical power from thermal fluctuations over large ranges of frequencies. Theory and experiment demonstrate that the harvestable power for these devices is proportional to the thermal effusivity of the dominant thermal mass. To illustrate, we measure persistent energy harvesting from diurnal frequencies, extracting as high as 350 mV and 1.3 mW from approximately 10 °C diurnal temperature differences.
Biomimetic light-harvesting funnels for re-directioning of diffuse light
Authors: Pieper Alexander , Hohgardt Manuel , Willich Maximilian , Gacek Daniel Alexander , Hafi Nour , Pfennig Dominik , Albrecht Andreas , Walla Peter Jomo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEfficient sunlight harvesting and re-directioning onto small areas has great potential for more widespread use of precious high-performance photovoltaics but so far intrinsic solar concentrator loss mechanisms outweighed the benefits. Here we present an antenna concept allowing high light absorption without high reabsorption or escape-cone losses. An excess of randomly oriented pigments collects light from any direction and funnels the energy to individual acceptors all having identical orientations and emitting ~90% of photons into angles suitable for total internal reflection waveguiding to desired energy converters (funneling diffuse-light re-directioning, FunDiLight). This is achieved using distinct molecules that align efficiently within stretched polymers together with others staying randomly orientated. Emission quantum efficiencies can be >80% and single-foil reabsorption <0.5%. Efficient donor-pool energy funneling, dipole re-orientation, and ~1.5–2 nm nearest donor–acceptor transfer occurs within hundreds to ~20 ps. Single-molecule 3D-polarization experiments confirm nearly parallel emitters. Stacked pigment selection may allow coverage of the entire solar spectrum.
Probing electrochemical reactions in organic cathode materials via in operando infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Vizintin Alen , Bitenc Jan , Kopač Lautar Anja , Pirnat Klemen , Grdadolnik Jože , Stare Jernej , Randon-Vitanova Anna , Dominko Robert 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOrganic materials are receiving an increasing amount of attention as electrode materials for future post lithium-ion batteries due to their versatility and sustainability. However, their electrochemical reaction mechanism has seldom been investigated. This is a direct consequence of a lack of straightforward and broadly available analytical techniques. Herein, a straightforward in operando attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy method is developed that allows visualization of changes of all infrared active bands that occur as a consequence of reduction/oxidation processes. In operando infrared spectroscopy is applied to the analysis of three different organic polymer materials in lithium batteries. Moreover, this in operando method is further extended to investigation of redox reaction mechanism of poly(anthraquinonyl sulfide) in a magnesium battery, where a reduction of carbonyl bond is demonstrated as a mechanism of electrochemical activity. Conclusions done by the in operando results are complemented by synthesis of model compound and density functional theory calculation of infrared spectra.
Cancer cell responses to Hsp70 inhibitor JG-98: Comparison with Hsp90 inhibitors and finding synergistic drug combinations
Authors: Yaglom Julia A. , Wang Yongmei , Li Amy , Li Zhenghu , Monti Stephano , Alexandrov Ilya , Lu Xiongbin , Sherman Michael Y. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHsp70 is a promising anti-cancer target. Our JG-98 series of Hsp70 inhibitors show anti-cancer activities affecting both cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages. They disrupt Hsp70 interaction with a co-chaperone Bag3 and affect signaling pathways important for cancer development. Due to a prior report that depletion of Hsp70 causes similar responses as depletion of Hsp90, interest to Hsp70 inhibitors as drug prototypes is hampered by potential similarity of their effects to effects of Hsp90 inhibitors. Here, using the Connectivity Map platform we demonstrate that physiological effects of JG-98 are dissimilar from effects of Hsp90 inhibitors, thus justifying development of these compounds. Using gene expression and ActivSignal IPAD platform, we identified pathways modulated by JG-98. Some of these pathways were affected by JG-98 in Bag3-dependent (e.g. ERK) and some in Bag3-independent manner (e.g. Akt or c-myc), indicating multiple effects of Hsp70 inhibition. Further, we identified genes that modulate cellular responses to JG-98, developed approaches to predict potent combinations of JG-98 with known drugs, and demonstrated that inhibitors of proteasome, RNApol, Akt and RTK synergize with JG-98. Overall, here we established unique effects of novel Hsp70 inhibitors on cancer cell physiology, and predicted potential drug combinations for pre-clinical development.
Thermal stabilization of the deglycating enzyme Amadoriase I by rational design
Authors: Rigoldi Federica , Donini Stefano , Giacomina Francesca , Sorana Federico , Redaelli Alberto , Bandiera Tiziano , Parisini Emilio , Gautieri Alfonso 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAmadoriases are a class of FAD-dependent enzymes that are found in fungi, yeast and bacteria and that are able to hydrolyze glycated amino acids, cleaving the sugar moiety from the amino acidic portion. So far, engineered Amadoriases have mostly found practical application in the measurement of the concentration of glycated albumin in blood samples. However, these engineered forms of Amadoriases show relatively low absolute activity and stability levels, which affect their conditions of use. Therefore, enzyme stabilization is desirable prior to function-altering molecular engineering. In this work, we describe a rational design strategy based on a computational screening method to evaluate a library of potentially stabilizing disulfide bonds. Our approach allowed the identification of two thermostable Amadoriase I mutants (SS03 and SS17) featuring a significantly higher T50 (55.3 °C and 60.6 °C, respectively) compared to the wild-type enzyme (52.4 °C). Moreover, SS17 shows clear hyperstabilization, with residual activity up to 95 °C, whereas the wild-type enzyme is fully inactive at 55 °C. Our computational screening method can therefore be considered as a promising approach to expedite the design of thermostable enzymes.
Nanoanalytical electron microscopy of events predisposing to mineralisation of turkey tendon
Authors: Kłosowski Michał M. , Carzaniga Raffaella , Shefelbine Sandra J. , Porter Alexandra E. , McComb David W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe macro- and micro-structures of mineralised tissues hierarchy are well described and understood. However, investigation of their nanostructure is limited due to the intrinsic complexity of biological systems. Preceding transmission electron microscopy studies investigating mineralising tissues have not resolved fully the initial stages of mineral nucleation and growth within the collagen fibrils. In this study, analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy were employed to characterise the morphology, crystallinity and chemistry of the mineral at different stages of mineralization using a turkey tendon model. In the poorly mineralised regions, calcium ions associated with the collagen fibrils and ellipsoidal granules and larger clusters composed of amorphous calcium phosphate were detected. In the fully mineralised regions, the mineral had transformed into crystalline apatite with a plate-like morphology. A change in the nitrogen K-edge was observed and related to modifications of the functional groups associated with the mineralisation process. This transformation seen in the nitrogen K-edge might be an important step in maturation and mineralisation of collagen and lend fundamental insight into how tendon mineralises.
Two Sprayer CVD Synthesis of Nitrogen-doped Carbon Sponge-type Nanomaterials
Authors: Muñoz-Sandoval Emilio , Fajardo-Díaz Juan L. , Sánchez-Salas Roque , Cortés-López Alejandro J. , López-Urías Florentino 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNitrogen-doped carbon sponge-type nanostructures (N-CSTNs) containing coaxial multiwalled carbon nanotubes are synthesized at 1020 °C by using a modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD) arrangement. Here, the CVD reactor is supplied by two flows coming from two independent sprayers (called sprayer A and sprayer B). The nebulized material in each sprayer is transported by two different gases with different flow velocities. The synthesis of carbon N-CSTNs is performed using different precursors: sprayer A contains a solution composed of ethanol, thiophene and ferrocene, whereas sprayer B contains a solution of benzylamine, thiophene and ferrocene. Samples are classified according to the position inside the reactor and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Samples collected at the beginning of the reactor contain curly structures with diameters of 10–100 nm. At the end of the reactor, the sample is mainly formed by one type of structure. A spongy-type material is mainly formed in the hottest zone of the tubular furnace. The N-CSTNs are highly hydrophobic with oil sorption properties, which could be used for adsorption of oil spills.
VPS35 depletion does not impair presynaptic structure and function
Authors: Vazquez-Sanchez Sonia , Bobeldijk Sander , Dekker Marien P. , van Keimpema Linda , van Weering Jan R. T. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe endosomal system is proposed as a mediator of synaptic vesicle recycling, but the molecular recycling mechanism remains largely unknown. Retromer is a key protein complex which mediates endosomal recycling in eukaryotic cells, including neurons. Retromer is important for brain function and mutations in retromer genes are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of retromer in presynaptic structure and function. We assessed the role of retromer by knocking down VPS35, the core subunit of retromer, in primary hippocampal mouse neurons. VPS35 depletion led to retromer dysfunction, measured as a decrease in GluA1 at the plasma membrane, and bypassed morphological defects previously described in chronic retromer depletion models. We found that retromer is localized at the mammalian presynaptic terminal. However, VPS35 depletion did not alter the presynaptic ultrastructure, synaptic vesicle release or retrieval. Hence, we conclude that retromer is present in the presynaptic terminal but it is not essential for the synaptic vesicle cycle. Nonetheless, the presynaptic localization of VPS35 suggests that retromer-dependent endosome sorting could take place for other presynaptic cargo.
Nonreciprocal current from electron interactions in noncentrosymmetric crystals: roles of time reversal symmetry and dissipation
Authors: Morimoto Takahiro , Nagaosa Naoto 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn noncentrosymmetric crystals with broken inversion symmetry $${\boldsymbol{ {\mathcal I} }}$$
ℐ
, the I-V (I: current, V: voltage) characteristic is generally expected to depend on the direction of I, which is known as nonreciprocal response and, for example, found in p-n junction. However, it is a highly nontrivial issue in translationally invariant systems since the time-reversal symmetry T plays an essential role, where the two states at crystal momenta k and −k are connected in the band structure. Therefore, it has been considered that the external magnetic field (B) or the magnetic order which breaks the T-symmetry is necessary to realize the nonreciprocal I-V characteristics, i.e., magnetochiral anisotropy. Here we theoretically show that the electron correlation in T-broken multi-band systems can induce nonreciprocal I-V characteristics without T-breaking. An analog of Onsager’s relation shows that nonreciprocal current response without T -breaking generally requires two effects: dissipation and interactions. By using nonequilibrium Green’s functions, we derive general formula of the nonreciprocal response for two-band systems with onsite interaction. The formula is applied to Rice-Mele model, a representative 1D model with inversion breaking, and some candidate materials are discussed. This finding offers a coherent understanding of the origin of nonreciprocal I-V characteristics, and will pave a way to design it.
Bronchoscopic fibered confocal fluorescence microscopy for longitudinal in vivo assessment of pulmonary fungal infections in free-breathing mice
Authors: Vanherp Liesbeth , Poelmans Jennifer , Hillen Amy , Govaerts Kristof , Belderbos Sarah , Buelens Tinne , Lagrou Katrien , Himmelreich Uwe , Vande Velde Greetje 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRespiratory diseases, such as pulmonary infections, are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Preclinical studies often require invasive techniques to evaluate the extent of infection. Fibered confocal fluorescence microscopy (FCFM) is an emerging optical imaging technique that allows for real-time detection of fluorescently labeled cells within live animals, thereby bridging the gap between in vivo whole-body imaging methods and traditional histological examinations. Previously, the use of FCFM in preclinical lung research was limited to endpoint observations due to the invasive procedures required to access lungs. Here, we introduce a bronchoscopic FCFM approach that enabled in vivo visualization and morphological characterisation of fungal cells within lungs of mice suffering from pulmonary Aspergillus or Cryptococcus infections. The minimally invasive character of this approach allowed longitudinal monitoring of infection in free-breathing animals, thereby providing both visual and quantitative information on infection progression. Both the sensitivity and specificity of this technique were high during advanced stages of infection, allowing clear distinction between infected and non-infected animals. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential of this novel bronchoscopic FCFM approach to study pulmonary diseases, which can lead to novel insights in disease pathogenesis by allowing longitudinal in vivo microscopic examinations of the lungs.
Prognostic significance of nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with systemic cytokine or targeted therapy: A 16-year retrospective analysis
Authors: Kim Sung Han , Jeong Kyung-Chae , Joung Jae Young , Seo Ho Kyung , Lee Kang Hyun , Chung Jinsoo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe compared progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among 292 metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients either undergoing nephrectomy (Nx, 61.6%) or not (non-Nx, 38.4%), stratified according to the MSKCC and Heng risk models, treated with either immunotherapy (IT, 45.2%) or targeted therapy (TT, 54.8%) between 2000 and 2015. During the follow-up duration of 16.6 months, PFS/OS of the Nx (6.0/30 months) and non-Nx (3.0/6.0 months) groups were significantly different despite differences among baseline parameters (p < 0.05). The intermediate- and poor-risk patients defined using either model showed significantly longer PFS and OS in the Nx group than in the non-Nx group (p < 0.05). After stratifying groups by systemic therapy and risk models, both the Nx and non-Nx groups showed no significant differences in intermediate and poor-risk models (p > 0.05). In both synchronous and metachronous mRCC patients, both PFS and OS showed similar survivals; the Nx group had significantly longer PFS and OS than the non-Nx group, even after considering each systemic therapy and prognostic model. Nx showed a significant positive benefit in PFS and OS compared to no Nx upon patient stratification according to the MSKCC and Heng risk models. The metastatic type did not significantly affect survival between the two groups.
Plasma and urinary metabolomic profiles of Down syndrome correlate with alteration of mitochondrial metabolism
Authors: Caracausi Maria , Ghini Veronica , Locatelli Chiara , Mericio Martina , Piovesan Allison , Antonaros Francesca , Pelleri Maria Chiara , Vitale Lorenza , Vacca Rosa Anna , Bedetti Federica , Mimmi Maria Chiara , Luchinat Claudio , Turano Paola , Strippoli Pierluigi , Cocchi Guido 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDown syndrome (DS) is caused by the presence of a supernumerary copy of the human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) and is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID). Key traits of DS are the distinctive facies and cognitive impairment. We conducted for the first time an analysis of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-detectable part of the metabolome in plasma and urine samples, studying 67 subjects with DS and 29 normal subjects as controls selected among DS siblings. Multivariate analysis of the NMR metabolomic profiles showed a clear discrimination (up to of 80% accuracy) between the DS and the control groups. The univariate analysis of plasma and urine revealed a significant alteration for some interesting metabolites. Remarkably, most of the altered concentrations were consistent with the 3:2 gene dosage model, suggesting effects caused by the presence of three copies of Hsa21 rather than two: DS/normal ratio in plasma was 1.23 (pyruvate), 1.47 (succinate), 1.39 (fumarate), 1.33 (lactate), 1.4 (formate). Several significantly altered metabolites are produced at the beginning or during the Krebs cycle. Accounting for sex, age and fasting state did not significantly affect the main result of both multivariate and univariate analysis.
Magnetism and high magnetic-field-induced stability of alloy carbides in Fe-based materials
Authors: Hou T. P. , Wu K. M. , Liu W. M. , Peet M. J. , Hulme-Smith C. N. , Guo L. , Zhuang L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the nature of the magnetic-field-induced precipitation behaviors represents a major step forward towards unravelling the real nature of interesting phenomena in Fe-based alloys and especially towards solving the key materials problem for the development of fusion energy. Experimental results indicate that the applied high magnetic field effectively promotes the precipitation of M23C6 carbides. We build an integrated method, which breaks through the limitations of zero temperature and zero external field, to concentrate on the dependence of the stability induced by the magnetic effect, excluding the thermal effect. We investigate the intimate relationship between the external field and the origins of various magnetics structural characteristics, which are derived from the interactions among the various Wyckoff sites of iron atoms, antiparallel spin of chromium and Fe-C bond distances. The high-magnetic-field-induced exchange coupling increases with the strength of the external field, which then causes an increase in the parallel magnetic moment. The stability of the alloy carbide M23C6 is more dependent on external field effects than thermal effects, whereas that of M2C, M3C and M7C3 is mainly determined by thermal effects.
Rational cell culture optimization enhances experimental reproducibility in cancer cells
Authors: Wright Muelas Marina , Ortega Fernando , Breitling Rainer , Bendtsen Claus , Westerhoff Hans V. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOptimization of experimental conditions is critical in ensuring robust experimental reproducibility. Through detailed metabolomic analysis we found that cell culture conditions significantly impacted on glutaminase (GLS1) sensitivity resulting in variable sensitivity and irreproducibility in data. Baseline metabolite profiling highlighted that untreated cells underwent significant changes in metabolic status. Both the extracellular levels of glutamine and lactate and the intracellular levels of multiple metabolites changed drastically during the assay. We show that these changes compromise the robustness of the assay and make it difficult to reproduce. We discuss the implications of the cells’ metabolic environment when studying the effects of perturbations to cell function by any type of inhibitor. We then devised ‘metabolically rationalized standard’ assay conditions, in which glutaminase-1 inhibition reduced glutamine metabolism differently in both cell lines assayed, and decreased the proliferation of one of them. The adoption of optimized conditions such as the ones described here should lead to an improvement in reproducibility and help eliminate false negatives as well as false positives in these assays.
Representational similarity analysis reveals task-dependent semantic influence of the visual word form area
Authors: Wang Xiaosha , Xu Yangwen , Wang Yuwei , Zeng Yi , Zhang Jiacai , Ling Zhenhua , Bi Yanchao 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAccess to semantic information of visual word forms is a key component of reading comprehension. In this study, we examined the involvement of the visual word form area (VWFA) in this process by investigating whether and how the activity patterns of the VWFA are influenced by semantic information during semantic tasks. We asked participants to perform two semantic tasks - taxonomic or thematic categorization - on visual words while obtaining the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI responses to each word. Representational similarity analysis with four types of semantic relations (taxonomic, thematic, subjective semantic rating and word2vec) revealed that neural activity patterns of the VWFA were associated with taxonomic information only in the taxonomic task, with thematic information only in the thematic task and with the composite semantic information measured by word2vec in both semantic tasks. Furthermore, the semantic information in the VWFA cannot be explained by confounding factors including orthographic, low-level visual and phonological information. These findings provide positive evidence for the presence of both orthographic and task-relevant semantic information in the VWFA and have significant implications for the neurobiological basis of reading.