bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamically induced in Situ and Tunable Cu Plasmonic Behaviour
Authors: Inwati Gajendra Kumar , Rao Yashvant , Singh Man 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were grown in soda-lime glass matrix through Cu+ ↔ Na+ ion exchange methods under thermal annealing in an open environment and studied variation in their size on tunable plasmonic behaviour, optical absorption spectra and photoluminescence (PL). A blue shift from 570 to 560 nm was observed in localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Cu NPs from 550 to 650 °C. A mutual relation between size and surface plasmon resonance with full width half maxima (FWHM) has been derived for plasmonic properties at variable temperatures. Structural investigations of embedded Cu NPs have been confirmed by using HRTEM and EDX. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) had identified a crystalline nature of Cu NPs under annealed conditions. XPS, Raman and secondary ion mass spectroscopies (SIMS) have identified an embedding behaviour of Cu NPs in glass matrix. Plasmonic and thermodynamic properties of embedded Cu NPs have explained their in situ thermal growth mechanism for efficient distribution where enthalpy (∆H), entropy (∆S) and Gibbs free energy (∆G) have interpreted their temperature driven Cu NPs growth. An interdependence of ∆H, ∆S and ∆G has been developed vis-a-vis activation energy on an extent of 12.54 J/mol.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia promotes myocardial ischemia-related ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death
Authors: Morand Jessica , Arnaud Claire , Pepin Jean-Louis , Godin-Ribuot Diane 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe investigated the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH), such as that encountered in severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, on the development and severity of myocardial ischemia-related ventricular arrhythmias. Rats were exposed to 14 days of IH (30 s at 5%O2 and 30 s at 21%O2, 8 h·day−1) or normoxia (N, similar air-air cycles) and submitted to a 30-min coronary ligature. Arterial blood pressure (BP) and ECG were recorded for power spectral analysis, ECG interval measurement and arrhythmia quantification. Left ventricular monophasic action potential duration (APD) and expression of L-type calcium (LTCC) and transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels were assessed in adjacent epicardial and endocardial sites. Chronic IH enhanced the incidence of ischemic arrhythmias, in particular ventricular fibrillation (66.7% vs. 33.3% in N rats, p < 0.05). IH also increased BP and plasma norepinephine levels along with increased low-frequency (LF), decreased high-frequency (HF) and increased LF/HF ratio of heart rate and BP variability. IH prolonged QTc and Tpeak-to-Tend intervals, increased the ventricular APD gradient and upregulated endocardial but not epicardial LTCC, TRPC1 and TRPC6 (p < 0.05). Chronic IH, is a major risk factor for sudden cardiac death upon myocardial ischemia through sympathoactivation and alterations in ventricular repolarization, transmural APD gradient and endocardial calcium channel expression.
Projective measurement onto arbitrary superposition of weak coherent state bases
Authors: Izumi Shuro , Takeoka Masahiro , Wakui Kentaro , Fujiwara Mikio , Ema Kazuhiro , Sasaki Masahide 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOne of the peculiar features in quantum mechanics is that a superposition of macroscopically distinct states can exist. In optical system, this is highlighted by a superposition of coherent states (SCS), i.e. a superposition of classical states. Recently this highly nontrivial quantum state and its variant have been demonstrated experimentally. Here we demonstrate the superposition of coherent states in quantum measurement which is also a key concept in quantum mechanics. More precisely, we propose and implement a projection measurement onto an arbitrary superposition of two weak coherent states in optical system. The measurement operators are reconstructed experimentally by a novel quantum detector tomography protocol. Our device is realized by combining the displacement operation and photon counting, well established technologies, and thus has implications in various optical quantum information processing applications.
N1-methylnicotinamide is a signalling molecule produced in skeletal muscle coordinating energy metabolism
Authors: Ström Kristoffer , Morales-Alamo David , Ottosson Filip , Edlund Anna , Hjort Line , Jörgensen Sine W. , Almgren Peter , Zhou Yuedan , Martin-Rincon Marcos , Ekman Carl , Pérez-López Alberto , Ekström Ola , Perez-Suarez Ismael , Mattiasson Markus , de Pablos-Velasco Pedro , Oskolkov Nikolay , Ahlqvist Emma , Wierup Nils , Eliasson Lena , Vaag Allan , Groop Leif , Stenkula Karin G. , Fernandez Céline , Calbet Jose A. L. , Holmberg Hans-Christer , Hansson Ola 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObesity is a major health problem, and although caloric restriction and exercise are successful strategies to lose adipose tissue in obese individuals, a simultaneous decrease in skeletal muscle mass, negatively effects metabolism and muscle function. To deeper understand molecular events occurring in muscle during weight-loss, we measured the expressional change in human skeletal muscle following a combination of severe caloric restriction and exercise over 4 days in 15 Swedish men. Key metabolic genes were regulated after the intervention, indicating a shift from carbohydrate to fat metabolism. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) was the most consistently upregulated gene following the energy-deficit exercise. Circulating levels of N1-methylnicotinamide (MNA), the product of NNMT activity, were doubled after the intervention. The fasting-fed state was an important determinant of plasma MNA levels, peaking at ~18 h of fasting and being lowest ~3 h after a meal. In culture, MNA was secreted by isolated human myotubes and stimulated lipolysis directly, with no effect on glucagon or insulin secretion. We propose that MNA is a novel myokine that enhances the utilization of energy stores in response to low muscle energy availability. Future research should focus on applying MNA as a biomarker to identify individuals with metabolic disturbances at an early stage.
Reversal of stress fibre formation by Nitric Oxide mediated RhoA inhibition leads to reduction in the height of preformed thrombi
Authors: Atkinson L. , Yusuf M. Z. , Aburima A. , Ahmed Y. , Thomas S. G. , Naseem K. M. , Calaminus S. D. J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEvidence has emerged to suggest that thrombi are dynamic structures with distinct areas of differing platelet activation and inhibition. We hypothesised that Nitric oxide (NO), a platelet inhibitor, can modulate the actin cytoskeleton reversing platelet spreading, and therefore reduce the capability of thrombi to withstand a high shear environment. Our data demonstrates that GSNO, DEANONOate, and a PKG-activating cGMP analogue reversed stress fibre formation and increased actin nodule formation in adherent platelets. This effect is sGC dependent and independent of ADP and thromboxanes. Stress fibre formation is a RhoA dependent process and NO induced RhoA inhibition, however, it did not phosphorylate RhoA at ser188 in spread platelets. Interestingly NO and PGI2 synergise to reverse stress fibre formation at physiologically relevant concentrations. Analysis of high shear conditions indicated that platelets activated on fibrinogen, induced stress fibre formation, which was reversed by GSNO treatment. Furthermore, preformed thrombi on collagen post perfused with GSNO had a 30% reduction in thrombus height in comparison to the control. This study demonstrates that NO can reverse key platelet functions after their initial activation and identifies a novel mechanism for controlling excessive thrombosis.
Parental micronutrient deficiency distorts liver DNA methylation and expression of lipid genes associated with a fatty-liver-like phenotype in offspring
Authors: Skjærven Kaja H. , Jakt Lars Martin , Fernandes Jorge M. O. , Dahl John Arne , Adam Anne-Catrin , Klughammer Johanna , Bock Christoph , Espe Marit 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMicronutrient status of parents can affect long term health of their progeny. Around 2 billion humans are affected by chronic micronutrient deficiency. In this study we use zebrafish as a model system to examine morphological, molecular and epigenetic changes in mature offspring of parents that experienced a one-carbon (1-C) micronutrient deficiency. Zebrafish were fed a diet sufficient, or marginally deficient in 1-C nutrients (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, methionine, choline), and then mated. Offspring livers underwent histological examination, RNA sequencing and genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. Parental 1-C micronutrient deficiency resulted in increased lipid inclusion and we identified 686 differentially expressed genes in offspring liver, the majority of which were downregulated. Downregulated genes were enriched for functional categories related to sterol, steroid and lipid biosynthesis, as well as mitochondrial protein synthesis. Differential DNA methylation was found at 2869 CpG sites, enriched in promoter regions and permutation analyses confirmed the association with parental feed. Our data indicate that parental 1-C nutrient status can persist as locus specific DNA methylation marks in descendants and suggest an effect on lipid utilization and mitochondrial protein translation in F1 livers. This points toward parental micronutrients status as an important factor for offspring health and welfare.
Spatially-explicit valuation of coastal wetlands for cyclone mitigation in Australia and China
Authors: Ouyang Xiaoguang , Lee Shing Yip , Connolly Rod M. , Kainz Martin J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCoastal wetlands are increasingly recognised for their pivotal role in mitigating the growing threats from cyclones (including hurricanes) in a changing climate. There is, however, insufficient information about the economic value of coastal wetlands for cyclone mitigation, particularly at regional scales. Analysis of data from 1990–2012 shows that the variation of cyclone frequencies is related to EI Niño strength in the Pacific Ocean adjacent to Australia, but not China. Among the cyclones hitting the two countries, there are significant relationships between the ratio of total economic damage to gross domestic production (TD/GDP) and wetland area within cyclone swaths in Australia, and wetland area plus minimum cyclone pressure despite a weak relationship in China. The TD/GDP ratio is significantly higher in China than in Australia. Despite their extensive and growing occurrence, seawalls in China appear not to play a critical role in cyclone mitigation, and cannot replace coastal wetlands, which provide other efficient ecosystem services. The economic values of coastal wetlands in Australia and China are respectively estimated at US$52.88 billion and 198.67 billion yr−1for cyclone mitigation, albeit with large within-country geographic variation. This study highlights the urgency to integrate this value into existing valuations of coastal wetlands.
Enhanced viral-mediated cochlear gene delivery in adult mice by combining canal fenestration with round window membrane inoculation
Authors: Yoshimura Hidekane , Shibata Seiji B. , Ranum Paul T. , Smith Richard J. H. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCochlear gene therapy holds promise for the treatment of genetic deafness. Assessing its impact in adult murine models of hearing loss, however, has been hampered by technical challenges that have made it difficult to establish a robust method to deliver transgenes to the mature murine inner ear. Here in we demonstrate the feasibility of a combined round window membrane injection and semi-circular canal fenestration technique in the adult cochlea. Injection of both AAV2/9 and AAV2/Anc80L65 via this approach in P15–16 and P56–60 mice permits robust eGFP transduction of virtually all inner hair cells throughout the cochlea with variable transduction of vestibular hair cells. Auditory thresholds are not compromised. Transduction rate and cell tropism is primarily influenced by viral titer and AAV serotype but not age at injection. This approach is safe, versatile and efficient. Its use will facilitate studies using cochlear gene therapy in murine models of hearing loss over a wide range of time points.
The Urokinase Receptor Induces a Mesenchymal Gene Expression Signature in Glioblastoma Cells and Promotes Tumor Cell Survival in Neurospheres
Authors: Gilder Andrew S. , Natali Letizia , Van Dyk Danielle M. , Zalfa Cristina , Banki Michael A. , Pizzo Donald P. , Wang Huawei , Klemke Richard L. , Mantuano Elisabetta , Gonias Steven L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPLAUR encodes the urokinase receptor (uPAR), which promotes cell survival, migration, and resistance to targeted cancer therapeutics in glioblastoma cells in culture and in mouse model systems. Herein, we show that patient survival correlates inversely with PLAUR mRNA expression in gliomas of all grades, in glioblastomas, and in the subset of glioblastomas that demonstrate the mesenchymal gene expression signature. PLAUR clusters with genes that define the more aggressive mesenchymal subtype in transcriptome profiles of glioblastoma tissue and glioblastoma cells in neurospheres, which are enriched for multipotent cells with stem cell-like qualities. When PLAUR was over-expressed or silenced in glioblastoma cells, neurosphere growth and expression of mesenchymal subtype biomarkers correlated with uPAR abundance. uPAR also promoted glioblastoma cell survival in neurospheres. Constitutively-active EGF Receptor (EGFRvIII) promoted neurosphere growth; however, unlike uPAR, EGFRvIII did not induce the mesenchymal gene expression signature. Immunohistochemical analysis of human glioblastomas showed that uPAR is typically expressed by a small sub-population of the cancer cells; it is thus reasonable to conclude that this subpopulation of cells is responsible for the effects of PLAUR on patient survival. We propose that uPAR-expressing glioblastoma cells demonstrate a mesenchymal gene signature, an increased capacity for cell survival, and stem cell-like properties.
In vitro cytotoxicity activity of novel Schiff base ligand–lanthanide complexes
Authors: Andiappan Kavitha , Sanmugam Anandhavelu , Deivanayagam Easwaramoorthy , Karuppasamy K. , Kim Hyun-Seok , Vikraman Dhanasekaran 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA Schiff base ligand (SBL), N2, N3-bis (anthracen-9-ylmethylene) pyridine-2, 3-diamine, was synthesized through the condensation of 2,6-diaminopyridine and anthracene-9-carbaldehyde using a 1:2 ratio.1H NMR spectra confirmed the observation of non-involvement aromatic carboxylic proton in SBL. A novel series of lanthanide (i.e., praseodymium (Pr), erbium (Er), and ytterbium (Yb))-based SBL metal complexes was successfully synthesized, and their functional groups were elaborately demonstrated using UV–visible, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and fluorescence spectroscopy analyses. FT-IR spectral studies revealed that SBL behaved as a bidentate ligand and it was structured with metal ions by the two azomethine nitrogens. The synthesized SBL-based metal complexes were elaborately performed for cytotoxicity activity versus Vero, human breast cancer (MCF7), and cervical (HeLa) anticancer cell lines.
Colorectal Cancer-Associated Genes Are Associated with Tooth Agenesis and May Have a Role in Tooth Development
Authors: Williams Meredith A. , Biguetti Claudia , Romero-Bustillos Miguel , Maheshwari Kanwal , Dinckan Nuriye , Cavalla Franco , Liu Xiaoming , Silva Renato , Akyalcin Sercan , Uyguner Z. Oya , Vieira Alexandre R. , Amendt Brad A. , Fakhouri Walid D. , Letra Ariadne 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPreviously reported co-occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and tooth agenesis (TA) and the overlap in disease-associated gene variants suggest involvement of similar molecular pathways. Here, we took an unbiased approach and tested genome-wide significant CRC-associated variants for association with isolated TA. Thirty single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in CRC-predisposing genes/loci were genotyped in a discovery dataset composed of 440 individuals with and without isolated TA. Genome-wide significant associations were found between TA andATF1rs11169552 (P = 4.36 × 10−10) andDUSP10 rs6687758 (P = 1.25 × 10−9), and positive association found withCASC8rs10505477 (P = 8.2 × 10−5). Additional CRC marker haplotypes were also significantly associated with TA. Genotyping an independent dataset consisting of 52 cases with TA and 427 controls confirmed the association withCASC8. Atf1 and Dusp10 expression was detected in the mouse developing teeth from early bud stages to the formation of the complete tooth, suggesting a potential role for these genes and their encoded proteins in tooth development. While their individual contributions in tooth development remain to be elucidated, these genes may be considered candidates to be tested in additional populations.
Water Droplet Dynamics on a Hydrophobic Surface in Relation to the Self-Cleaning of Environmental Dust
Authors: Yilbas Bekir Sami , Hassan Ghassan , Al-Sharafi Abdullah , Ali Haider , Al-Aqeeli Nasser , Al-Sarkhi Abdelsalam 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe dynamic motion of a water droplet on an inclined hydrophobic surface is analyzed with and without environmental dust particles on the surface. Solution crystallization of a polycarbonate surface is carried out to generate a hydrophobic surface with hierarchical texture composed of micro/nanosize spheroids and fibrils. Functionalized nanosize silica particles are deposited on the textured surface to reduce contact angle hysteresis. Environmental dust particles are collected and characterized using analytical tools prior to the experiments. The droplet motion on the hydrophobic surface is assessed using high-speed camera data, and then, the motion characteristics are compared with the corresponding analytical results. The influence of dust particles on the water droplet motion and the amount of dust particles picked up from the hydrophobic surface by the moving droplet is evaluated experimentally. A 40 μL droplet was observed to roll on the hydrophobic surface with and without dust particles, and the droplet slip velocity was lower than the rotational velocity. The rolling droplet removes almost all dust particles from the surface, and the mechanism for the removal of dust particles from the surface was determined to be water cloaking of the dust particles.
Wireless Data Transmission at Terahertz Carrier Waves Generated from a Hybrid InP-Polymer Dual Tunable DBR Laser Photonic Integrated Circuit
Authors: Carpintero Guillermo , Hisatake Shintaro , de Felipe David , Guzman Robinson , Nagatsuma Tadao , Keil Norbert 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe report for the first time the successful wavelength stabilization of two hybrid integrated InP/Polymer DBR lasers through optical injection. The two InP/Polymer DBR lasers are integrated into a photonic integrated circuit, providing an ideal source for millimeter and Terahertz wave generation by optical heterodyne technique. These lasers offer the widest tuning range of the carrier wave demonstrated to date up into the Terahertz range, about 20 nm (2.5 THz) on a single photonic integrated circuit. We demonstrate the application of this source to generate a carrier wave at 330 GHz to establish a wireless data transmission link at a data rate up to 18 Gbit/s. Using a coherent detection scheme we increase the sensitivity by more than 10 dB over direct detection.
Interaction between Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways and an anti-cancer strategy via degradations of β-catenin and RAS by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Jeong Woo-Jeong , Ro Eun Ji , Choi Kang-Yell 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways play important roles in the tumorigenesis of many different types of cancer, most notably colorectal cancer (CRC). Genes for these two pathways, such as adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and KRAS are frequently mutated in human CRC, and involved in the initiation and progression of the tumorigenesis, respectively. Moreover, recent studies revealed interaction of APC and KRAS mutations in the various stages of colorectal tumorigenesis and even in metastasis accompanying activation of the cancer stem cells (CSCs). A key event in the synergistic cooperation between Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways is a stabilization of both β-catenin and RAS especially mutant KRAS by APC loss, and pathological significance of this was indicated by correlation of increased β-catenin and RAS levels in human CRC where APC mutations occur as high as 90% of CRC patients. Together with the notion of the protein activity reduction by lowering its level, inhibition of both β-catenin and RAS especially by degradation could be a new ideal strategy for development of anti-cancer drugs for CRC. In this review, we will discuss interaction between the Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways in the colorectal tumorigenesis by providing the mechanism of RAS stabilization by aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin. We will also discuss our small molecular anti-cancer approach controlling CRC by induction of specific degradations of both β-catenin and RAS via targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway especially for the KYA1797K, a small molecule specifically binding at the regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-domain of Axin.
Model reference adaptive control of STATCOM for grid integration of wind energy systems
Authors: Mosaad Mohamed I. 
Published: February 2018

This article proposes a model reference adaptive control (MRAC) of static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) for enhancing the integration of driven wind turbine‐based self‐excited induction generator (SEIG) into electrical grids. An MRAC‐based Massachusetts Institute of Technology adaptive mechanism is utilised to control the reactive power flow of grid‐integrated SEIG. The voltage‐source inverter sinusoidal pulse width modulation of the STATCOM is used to overcome the abnormal operating conditions in the wind energy conversion system. This accordingly increases the low‐voltage ride through (LVRT) capability. The abnormal operating conditions are faults occurring at the point of common coupling between the generator and the grid. The proposed MRAC is compared to proportional‐integral (PI) controllers tuned by genetic algorithm (GA). To evaluate the proposed control of STATCOM for enhancing grid‐integrated SEIG, a part of the Egyptian 220 kV network integrated with Zafarana Wind Energy System is used. The results provide evidence of an efficient and robust proposed adaptive control performance rather than static PI controller whose parameters tuned by GA in the voltage, currents, and wind generator speed responses. Moreover, the proposed controller increases the capability of continuous operation of the wind turbines under different abnormal operating conditions and also increases the LVRT capability.