bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic and crystallographic model for anion uptake by hydrated calcium aluminate (AFm): an example of molybdenum
Authors: Marty Nicolas C. M. , Grangeon Sylvain , Elkaïm Erik , Tournassat Christophe , Fauchet Clémence , Claret Francis 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAmongst all cement phases, hydrated calcium aluminate (AFm) plays a major role in the retention of anionic species. Molybdenum (Mo), whose 93Mo isotope is considered a major steel activation product, will be released mainly under the form of MoO42− in a radioactive waste repository. Understanding its fate is of primary importance in a safety analysis of such disposal. This necessitates models that can both predict quantitatively the sorption of Mo by AFm and determine the nature of the sorption process (i.e., reversible adsorption or incorporation). This study investigated the Cl−/MoO42− exchange processes occurring in an AFm initially containing interlayer Cl in alkaline conditions using flow-through experiments. The evolution of the solid phase was characterized using an electron probe microanalyzer and synchrotron high-energy X-ray scattering. All data, together with their quantitative modeling, coherently indicated that Mo replaced Cl in the AFm interlayer. The structure of the interlayer is described with unprecedented atomic-scale detail based on a combination of real- and reciprocal-space analyses of total X-ray scattering data. In addition, modeling of several independent chemical experiments elucidated that Cl−/OH− exchange processes occur together with Cl−/MoO42− exchange. This competitive effect must be considered when determining the Cl−/MoO42− selectivity constant.
Ultranarrow-bandwidth filter based on a thermal EIT medium
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Yu-Sheng , Huang Emily Kay , Hung Weilun , Chao Kai-Lin , Wu Ping-Yeh , Chen Yi-Hsin , Yu Ite A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe present high-contrast electromagnetically-induced-transparency (EIT) spectra in a heated vapor cell of single isotope 87Rb atoms. The EIT spectrum has both high resonant transmission up to 67% and narrow linewidth of 1.1 MHz. We get rid of the possible amplification resulted from the effects of amplification without population inversion and four-wave mixing. Therefore, this high transmitted light is not artificial. The theoretical prediction of the probe transmission agrees well with the data and the experimental parameters can be derived reasonably from the model. Such narrow and high-contrast spectral profile can be employed as a high precision bandpass filter, which provides a significant advantage in terms of stability and tunability. The central frequency tuning range of the filter is larger than 100 MHz with out-of-band blocking ≥15 dB. This bandpass filter can effectively produce light fields with subnatural linewidth. Nonlinearity associating with the narrow-linewidth and high-contrast EIT profile can be very useful in the applications utilizing the EIT effect.
Evaluation of weed control efficacy and crop safety of the new HPPD-inhibiting herbicide-QYR301
Authors: Wang Hengzhi , Liu Weitang , Zhao Kongping , Yu Hui , Zhang Jia , Wang Jinxin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractQYR301, 1,3-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid 4-[2-chloro-3-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-4-methanesulfonyl-benzoyl]-2,5-dimethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl ester, is a novel HPPD-inhibiting herbicide and was evaluated to provide a reference for post-emergence (POST) application under greenhouse and field conditions. The crop safety (180 and 360 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha−1 treatments) experiment revealed that wheat, paddy, garlic and corn were the only four crops without injury at both examined herbicide rates. The weed control efficacy (60 and 120 g a.i. ha−1) experiment showed that QYR301 exhibited high efficacy against many weeds, especially weeds infesting paddy fields. Furthermore, it is interesting that both susceptible and multiple herbicide resistant Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. and Echinochloa phyllopogon (Stapf) Koss, two notorious weed species in paddy field, remained susceptible to QYR301. Further crop tolerance results indicated that 20 tested paddy hybrids displayed different levels of tolerance to QYR301, with the japonica paddy hybrids having more tolerance than indica paddy hybrids under greenhouse conditions. Results obtained from field experiments showed that QYR301 POST at 135 to 180 g a.i. ha−1 was recommended to provide satisfactory full-season control of E. crus-galli and Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees and to maximize rice yields. These findings indicate that QYR301 possesses great potential for the management of weeds in paddy fields.
Value of urinary KIM-1 and NGAL combined with serum Cys C for predicting acute kidney injury secondary to decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Lei Lei , Li Liang Ping , Zeng Zhen , Mu Jing Xi , Yang Xue , Zhou Chao , Wang Zhi Lan , Zhang Hu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUrinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and serum cystatin C (Cys C) are biomarkers of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the efficacy of combining these indices to diagnose decompensated cirrhosis is unknown. This study involved 150 patients divided into AKI and non-AKI, and healthy individuals. Urinary KIM-1 and NGAL, serum Cys and creatine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were compared based on Child-Pugh liver function class. Urinary KIM-1 and NGAL concentrations and serum Cys C levels were significantly higher in patients with AKI secondary to decompensated cirrhosis than in those with AKI not secondary to decompensated cirrhosis (p < 0.01). These were significantly associated with higher kidney injury index stages (p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with GFR in secondary AKI patients. Urinary KIM-1 and NGAL and serum Cys C increased significantly and GFR decreased as Child-Pugh class of decompensated cirrhosis significantly increased (p < 0.05). SCr levels were significantly increased in Child-Pugh class C patients (p < 0.05). Urinary KIM-1, urinary NGAL, serum Cys C, and the combined detection factor, as screening indices, could aid in the early diagnosis of AKI secondary to decompensated cirrhosis.
Simultaneous cell disruption and semi-quantitative activity assays for high-throughput screening of thermostable L-asparaginases
Authors: Li Xu , Zhang Xian , Xu Shuqin , Zhang Hengwei , Xu Meijuan , Yang Taowei , Wang Li , Qian Haifeng , Zhang Huiling , Fang Haitian , Osire Tolbert , Rao Zhiming , Yang Shangtian 
Published: May 2018

AbstractL-asparaginase, which catalyses the hydrolysis of L-asparagine to L-aspartate, has attracted the attention of researchers due to its expanded applications in medicine and the food industry. In this study, a novel thermostable L-asparaginase from Pyrococcus yayanosii CH1 was cloned and over-expressed in Bacillus subtilis 168. To obtain thermostable L-asparaginase mutants with higher activity, a robust high-throughput screening process was developed specifically for thermophilic enzymes. In this process, cell disruption and enzyme activity assays are simultaneously performed in 96-deep well plates. By combining error-prone PCR and screening, six brilliant positive variants and four key amino acid residue mutations were identified. Combined mutation of the four residues showed relatively high specific activity (3108 U/mg) that was 2.1 times greater than that of the wild-type enzyme. Fermentation with the mutant strain in a 5-L fermenter yielded L-asparaginase activity of 2168 U/mL.
Optimized delivery of siRNA into 3D tumor spheroid cultures in situ
Authors: Morgan R. G. , Chambers A. C. , Legge D. N. , Coles S. J. , Greenhough A. , Williams A. C. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract3D tissue culture provides a physiologically relevant and genetically tractable system for studying normal and malignant human tissues. Despite this, gene-silencing studies using siRNA has proved difficult. In this study, we have identified a cause for why traditional siRNA transfection techniques are ineffective in eliciting gene silencing in situ within 3D cultures and proposed a simple method for significantly enhancing siRNA entry into spheroids/organoids. In 2D cell culture, the efficiency of gene silencing is significantly reduced when siRNA complexes are prepared in the presence of serum. Surprisingly, in both 3D tumour spheroids and primary murine organoids, the presence of serum during siRNA preparation rapidly promotes entry and internalization of Cy3-labelled siRNA in under 2 hours. Conversely, siRNA prepared in traditional low-serum transfection media fails to gain matrigel or spheroid/organoid entry. Direct measurement of CTNNB1 mRNA (encoding β-catenin) from transfected tumour spheroids confirmed a transient but significant knockdown of β-catenin when siRNA:liposome complexes were formed with serum, but not when prepared in the presence of reduced-serum media (Opti-MEM). Our studies suggest a simple modification to standard lipid-based transfection protocols facilitates rapid siRNA entry and transient gene repression, providing a platform for researchers to improve siRNA efficiency in established 3D cultures.
Mindfulness training induces structural connectome changes in insula networks
Authors: Sharp Paul B. , Sutton Bradley P. , Paul Erick J. , Sherepa Nikolai , Hillman Charles H. , Cohen Neal J. , Kramer Arthur F. , Prakash Ruchika Shaurya , Heller Wendy , Telzer Eva H. , Barbey Aron K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAlthough mindfulness meditation is known to provide a wealth of psychological benefits, the neural mechanisms involved in these effects remain to be well characterized. A central question is whether the observed benefits of mindfulness training derive from specific changes in the structural brain connectome that do not result from alternative forms of experimental intervention. Measures of whole-brain and node-level structural connectome changes induced by mindfulness training were compared with those induced by cognitive and physical fitness training within a large, multi-group intervention protocol (n = 86). Whole-brain analyses examined global graph-theoretical changes in structural network topology. A hypothesis-driven approach was taken to investigate connectivity changes within the insula, which was predicted here to mediate interoceptive awareness skills that have been shown to improve through mindfulness training. No global changes were observed in whole-brain network topology. However, node-level results confirmed a priori hypotheses, demonstrating significant increases in mean connection strength in right insula across all of its connections. Present findings suggest that mindfulness strengthens interoception, operationalized here as the mean insula connection strength within the overall connectome. This finding further elucidates the neural mechanisms of mindfulness meditation and motivates new perspectives about the unique benefits of mindfulness training compared to contemporary cognitive and physical fitness interventions.
Imaging glutathione depletion in the rat brain using ascorbate-derived hyperpolarized MR and PET probes
Authors: Qin Hecong , Carroll Valerie N. , Sriram Renuka , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E. , von Morze Cornelius , Wang Zhen Jane , Mutch Christopher A. , Keshari Kayvan R. , Flavell Robert R. , Kurhanewicz John , Wilson David M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOxidative stress is a critical feature of several common neurologic disorders. The brain is well adapted to neutralize oxidative injury by maintaining a high steady-state concentration of small-molecule intracellular antioxidants including glutathione in astrocytes and ascorbic acid in neurons. Ascorbate-derived imaging probes for hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography have been used to study redox changes (antioxidant depletion and reactive oxygen species accumulation) in vivo. In this study, we applied these imaging probes to the normal rat brain and a rat model of glutathione depletion. We first studied hyperpolarized [1-13C]dehydroascorbate in the normal rat brain, demonstrating its robust conversion to [1-13C]vitamin C, consistent with rapid transport of the oxidized form across the blood-brain barrier. We next showed that the kinetic rate of this conversion decreased by nearly 50% after glutathione depletion by diethyl maleate treatment. Finally, we showed that dehydroascorbate labeled for positron emission tomography, namely [1-11C]dehydroascorbate, showed no change in brain signal accumulation after diethyl maleate treatment. These results suggest that hyperpolarized [1-13C]dehydroascorbate may be used to non-invasively detect oxidative stress in common disorders of the brain.
Induction of prolonged natural lifespans in mice exposed to acoustic environmental enrichment
Authors: Yamashita Yuichi , Kawai Norie , Ueno Osamu , Matsumoto Yui , Oohashi Tsutomu , Honda Manabu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe investigated the effect of acoustic environmental enrichment (EE) on the lifespans and behaviours of mice to the end of their natural lifespan in different acoustic environments. Acoustic EE induced a significantly prolonged natural lifespan (nearly 17% longer) and was associated with increased voluntary movements. However, no correlation between lifespan and voluntary movements was detected, suggesting that increased voluntary movements are not a primary cause of lifespan prolongation. Analyses of individual differences in lifespan demonstrated that lifespan extension induced by acoustic EE could be related to changes in social relationships (e.g., reduction of social conflict) among individuals kept within a cage. Therefore, an acoustic component may be an important factor inducing the positive effects of EE.
Inducible high-efficiency CRISPR-Cas9-targeted gene editing and precision base editing in African trypanosomes
Authors: Rico Eva , Jeacock Laura , Kovářová Julie , Horn David 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe Cas9 endonuclease can be programmed by guide RNA to introduce sequence-specific breaks in genomic DNA. Thus, Cas9-based approaches present a range of novel options for genome manipulation and precision editing. African trypanosomes are parasites that cause lethal human and animal diseases. They also serve as models for studies on eukaryotic biology, including ‘divergent’ biology. Genome modification, exploiting the native homologous recombination machinery, has been important for studies on trypanosomes but often requires multiple rounds of transfection using selectable markers that integrate at low efficiency. We report a system for delivering tetracycline inducible Cas9 and guide RNA to Trypanosoma brucei. In these cells, targeted DNA cleavage and gene disruption can be achieved at close to 100% efficiency without further selection. Disruption of aquaglyceroporin (AQP2) or amino acid transporter genes confers resistance to the clinical drugs pentamidine or eflornithine, respectively, providing simple and robust assays for editing efficiency. We also use the new system for homology-directed, precision base editing; a single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide repair template was delivered to introduce a single AQP2 - T791G/L264R mutation in this case. The technology we describe now enables a range of novel programmed genome-editing approaches in T. brucei that would benefit from temporal control, high-efficiency and precision.
On-wafer fabrication of cavity mirrors for InGaN-based laser diode grown on Si
Authors: He Junlei , Feng Meixin , Zhong Yaozong , Wang Jin , Zhou Rui , Gao Hongwei , Zhou Yu , Sun Qian , Liu Jianxun , Huang Yingnan , Zhang Shuming , Wang Huaibing , Ikeda Masao , Yang Hui 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDirect bandgap III-V semiconductor lasers grown on silicon (Si) are highly desired for monolithic integration with Si photonics. Fabrication of semiconductor lasers with a Fabry–Pérot cavity usually includes facet cleavage, however, that is not compatible with on-chip photonic integration. Etching as an alternative approach holds a great advantage in preparing cavity mirrors with no need of breaking wafer into bars. However, gallium nitride (GaN) sidewalls prepared by dry etching often have a large roughness and etching damages, which would cause mirror loss due to optical scattering and carrier injection loss because of surface non-radiative recombination. A wet chemical polishing process of GaN sidewall facets formed by dry etching was studied in detail to remove the etching damages and smooth the vertical sidewalls. The wet chemical polishing technique combined with dry etching was successfully applied to the on-wafer fabrication of cavity mirrors, which enabled the realization of room temperature electrically injected InGaN-based laser diodes grown on Si.
Association of Blood Pressure with Fasting Blood Glucose Levels in Northeast China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lv Yaogai , Yao Yan , Ye Junsen , Guo Xin , Dou Jing , Shen Li , Zhang Anning , Xue Zhiqiang , Yu Yaqin , Jin Lina 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) have become major public health issues, and previous studies have shown that there is an association between hypertension and DM. However, there is a lack of detailed information about this association. This study aimed to explore how different blood pressure (BP) levels were associated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. A cross-sectional survey with adults aged 18 to 79 years was conducted in Jilin Province, China in 2012. Lambda-mu-sigma (LMS) was used to preliminarily explore the associations of BP with FBG. Quantile regression (QR) was performed to identify the specific associations by adjusting for confounding factors. The distributions of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (χ2 = 710.76, P < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (χ2 = 460.20, P < 0.001) were different according to gender. LMS showed that the associations of BP with FBG became stronger when the FBG levels were close to 5.6 mmol/L. QR showed that FBG was positively associated with SBP (P30 to P90) and DBP (P20 to P90) in males. In females, FBG was positively associated with SBP from only P85 to P90. In summary, FBG was positively associated with BP in a gender-dependent manner.
Landau-Zener-Stückelberg Interferometry for Majorana Qubit
Authors: Wang Zhi , Huang Wen-Chao , Liang Qi-Feng , Hu Xiao 
Published: May 2018

AbstractStimulated by a recent experiment observing successfully two superconducting states with even- and odd-number of electrons in a nanowire topological superconductor as expected from the existence of two end Majorana quasiparticles (MQs) [Albrecht et al., Nature 531, 206 (2016)], we propose a way to manipulate Majorana qubit exploiting quantum tunneling effects. The prototype setup consists of two one-dimensional (1D) topological superconductors coupled by a tunneling junction which can be controlled by gate voltage. We show that the time evolution of superconducting phase difference at the junction under a voltage bias induces an oscillation in energy levels of the Majorana parity states, whereas the level-crossing is avoided by a small coupling energy of MQs in the individual 1D superconductors. This results in a Landau-Zener-Stückelberg (LZS) interference between the Majorana parity states. Adjusting pulses of bias voltage and gate voltage, one can construct a LZS interferometry which provides an arbitrary manipulation of the Majorana qubit.
Normalized spatial complexity analysis of neural signals
Authors: Jia Huibin , Li Yanwei , Yu Dongchuan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe spatial complexity of neural signals, which was traditionally quantified by omega complexity, varies inversely with the global functional connectivity level across distinct region-of-interests, thus provides a novel approach in functional connectivity analysis. However, the measures in omega complexity are sensitive to the number of neural time-series. Here, normalized spatial complexity was suggested to overcome the above limitation, and was verified by the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data from a previous published autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research. By this new method, several conclusions consistent with traditional approaches on the pathological mechanisms of ASD were found, i.e., the prefrontal cortex made a major contribution to the hypo-connectivity of young children with ASD. Moreover, some novel findings were also detected (e.g., significantly higher normalized regional spatial complexities of bilateral prefrontal cortices and the variability of normalized local complexity differential of right temporal lobe, and the regional differences of measures in normalized regional spatial complexity), which could not be successfully detected via traditional approaches. These results confirmed the value of this novel approach, and extended the methodology system of functional connectivity. This novel technique could be applied to the neural signal of other neuroimaging techniques and other neurological and cognitive conditions.
Acrylamide acute neurotoxicity in adult zebrafish
Authors: Faria Melissa , Ziv Tamar , Gómez-Canela Cristian , Ben-Lulu Shani , Prats Eva , Novoa-Luna Karen Adriana , Admon Arie , Piña Benjamin , Tauler Romà , Gómez-Oliván Leobardo Manuel , Raldúa Demetrio 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAcute exposure to acrylamide (ACR), a type-2 alkene, may lead to a ataxia, skeletal muscles weakness and numbness of the extremities in human and laboratory animals. In the present manuscript, ACR acute neurotoxicity has been characterized in adult zebrafish, a vertebrate model increasingly used in human neuropharmacology and toxicology research. At behavioral level, ACR-treated animals exhibited “depression-like” phenotype comorbid with anxiety behavior. At transcriptional level, ACR induced down-regulation of regeneration-associated genes and up-regulation of oligodendrocytes and reactive astrocytes markers, altering also the expression of genes involved in the presynaptic vesicle cycling. ACR induced also significant changes in zebrafish brain proteome and formed adducts with selected cysteine residues of specific proteins, some of them essential for the presynaptic function. Finally, the metabolomics analysis shows a depletion in the monoamine neurotransmitters, consistent with the comorbid depression and anxiety disorder, in the brain of the exposed fish.
Using Single Molecule mRNA Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (RNA-FISH) to Quantify mRNAs in Individual Murine Oocytes and Embryos
Authors: Xie Fang , Timme Kelsey A. , Wood Jennifer R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractChanges in abundance of mRNAs during oocyte growth and maturation and during pre-implantation embryo development have been documented using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), microarray analyses, and whole genome sequencing. However, these techniques require amplification of mRNAs, normalization using housekeeping genes, can be biased for abundant transcripts, and/or require large numbers of oocytes and embryos which can be difficult to acquire from mammalian species. We optimized a single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) protocol, which amplifies fluorescence signal to detect candidate transcripts, for use with individual oocytes and embryos. Quantification using the software Localize showed patterns of Gdf9 and Pou5f1 mRNA expression in oocytes and embryos that were consistent with previously published data. Interestingly, low levels of Nanog mRNA were also accurately and reproducibly measured in oocytes and one- and two-cell embryos suggesting that RNA-FISH could be used to detect and quantify low abundance transcripts. Unlike other techniques, RNA-FISH is also able to detect changes in the localization patterns of mRNAs which may be used to monitor post-transcriptional regulation of a transcript. Thus, RNA-FISH represents an important technique to investigate potential mechanisms associated with the synthesis and stability of candidate mRNAs in mammalian oocytes and embryos.