bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Free choice shapes normalized value signals in medial orbitofrontal cortex
Authors: Yamada Hiroshi , Louie Kenway , Tymula Agnieszka , Glimcher Paul W. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNormalization is a common cortical computation widely observed in sensory perception, but its importance in perception of reward value and decision making remains largely unknown. We examined (1) whether normalized value signals occur in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and (2) whether changes in behavioral task context influence the normalized representation of value. We record medial OFC (mOFC) single neuron activity in awake-behaving monkeys during a reward-guided lottery task. mOFC neurons signal the relative values of options via a divisive normalization function when animals freely choose between alternatives. The normalization model, however, performed poorly in a variant of the task where only one of the two possible choice options yields a reward and the other was certain not to yield a reward (so called: “forced choice”). The existence of such context-specific value normalization may suggest that the mOFC contributes valuation signals critical for economic decision making when meaningful alternative options are available.
Signaling ammonium across membranes through an ammonium sensor histidine kinase
Authors: Pflüger Tobias , Hernández Camila F. , Lewe Philipp , Frank Fabian , Mertens Haydyn , Svergun Dmitri , Baumstark Manfred W. , Lunin Vladimir Y. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Andrade Susana L. A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSensing and uptake of external ammonium is essential for anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria, and is typically the domain of the ubiquitous Amt/Rh ammonium transporters. Here, we report on the structure and function of an ammonium sensor/transducer from the anammox bacterium “Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis” that combines a membrane-integral ammonium transporter domain with a fused histidine kinase. It contains a high-affinity ammonium binding site not present in assimilatory Amt proteins. The levels of phosphorylated histidine in the kinase are coupled to the presence of ammonium, as conformational changes during signal recognition by the Amt module are transduced internally to modulate the kinase activity. The structural analysis of this ammonium sensor by X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray-scattering reveals a flexible, bipartite system that recruits a large uptake transporter as a sensory module and modulates its functionality to achieve a mechanistic coupling to a kinase domain in order to trigger downstream signaling events.
Enhanced power conversion efficiency in iridium complex-based terpolymers for polymer solar cells
Authors: Xue Zhongyuan , Wang Shifan , Yang Jie , Zhong Yu , Qian Min , Li Cheng , Zhang Zhiguo , Xing Guichuan , Huettner Sven , Tao Youtian , Li Yongfang , Huang Wei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBy introducing various low concentrations of Iridium complexes to the famous donor polymer of PTB7-Th backbone, new heavy metal containing terpolymers have been demonstrated. When blended with PC71BM, an obvious increase of power conversion efficiency (PCE) is obtained in 1 mol% Ir containing polymer for different photovoltaic devices either using Ca or PDIN as cathode interface layers. The impact of molecular weight on the photovoltaic performance has been particularly considered by using three batches of control polymer PTB7-Th to ensure a fair and more convincing comparison. At similar molecular weight conditions (Mn: ~60 kg mol−1, Mw: 100–110 kg mol−1), the 1 mol% Ir containing PTB7-ThIr1/PC71BM blends exhibits enhanced PCE to 9.19% compared with 7.92% of the control PTB7-Th. Through a combination of physical measurement, such as optoelectrical characterization, GIWAXS and pico-second time-resolved photoluminescence, the enhancement are contributed from comprehensive factors of higher hole mobility, less bimolecular recombination and more efficient slow process of charge separation.
Room-temperature processing of silver submicron fiber mesh for flexible electronics
Authors: Bai Xiaopeng , Lin Sen , Wang Haolun , Zong Yi , Wang Haiyang , Huang Ziyun , Li Donglai , Wang Chang , Wu Hui 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUltrathin, patterned, conducting metallic fibers have been extensively studied as building blocks in flexible electronics. However, their scalable processing and attainment of patterns at room temperature is challenging. In this paper, we report on the patterning of ultra-long silver submicron fibers as woven mesh through the process of continuous draw spinning in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) treatment. The silver fibers can be directly intertwined on flexible substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyimide (PI). The as obtained silver submicron fiber mesh present excellent photoelectric properties (T = 90%, R = 9 Ω sq−1) and outstanding flexibility and can be easily transferred on other surfaces. To demonstrate its application, flexible electrochromic smart window and infrared stealth film have been prepared.
Optimizing olfactory testing for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease: item analysis of the university of Pennsylvania smell identification test
Authors: Morley James F. , Cohen Abigail , Silveira-Moriyama Laura , Lees Andrew J. , Williams David R. , Katzenschlager Regina , Hawkes Christopher , Shtraks Julie P. , Weintraub Daniel , Doty Richard L. , Duda John E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe 40-item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) is an effective instrument to detect olfactory dusfunction in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is not clear, however, whether tests of this length are necessary to detect such dysfunction. Several studies have suggested that detection of certain odors is selectively compromised in PD, and that a test comprised of these odors could be shorter and more specific for this purpose. Therefore, we attempted to identify a subset of UPSIT odors that distinguish PD from controls with similar or improved test characteristics compared to the full test. The discriminatory power of each odor was examined using UPSIT data from a discovery cohort of 314 PD patients and 314 matched controls and ranked using multiple methods (including odds ratios, regression coefficients and discriminant analysis). To validate optimally discriminant subsets, we calculated test characteristics using data from two independent cohorts (totaling 306 PD and 343 controls). In the discovery cohort, multiple novel 12-item subsets (and the previously described Brief Smell Identification Test-B) performed similarly or improved upon the UPSIT and were better than 12 random items. However, in validation studies from independent cohorts, multiple subsets retained test characteristics similar to the full UPSIT, but did not outperform 12 random items. Differential discriminatory power of individual items is not conserved across independent cohorts arguing against selective hyposmia in PD. However, multiple 12-item subsets performed as well as the full UPSIT. These subsets could form the basis for shorter olfactory tests in the clinical evaluation of Parkinsonism.
Regeneration in distantly related species: common strategies and pathways
Authors: Fumagalli Maria Rita , Zapperi Stefano , La Porta Caterina A. M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWhile almost all animals are able to at least partially replace some lost parts, regeneration abilities vary considerably across species. Here we study gene expression patterns in distantly related species to investigate conserved regeneration strategies. To this end, we collect from the literature transcriptomic data obtained during the regeneration of three species (Hydra magnipapillata, Schmidtea mediterranea, and Apostichopus japonicus), and compare them with gene expression during regeneration in vertebrates and mammals. This allows us to identify a common set of differentially expressed genes and relevant shared pathways that are conserved across species during the early stage of the regeneration process. We also find a set of differentially expressed genes that in mammals are associated to the presence of macrophages and to the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. This suggests that features of the sophisticated wound healing strategy of mammals are already observable in earlier emerging metazoans.
Effects of crystallographic and geometric orientation on ion beam sputtering of gold nanorods
Authors: Hinks J. A. , Hibberd F. , Hattar K. , Ilinov A. , Bufford D. C. , Djurabekova F. , Greaves G. , Kuronen A. , Donnelly S. E. , Nordlund K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNanostructures may be exposed to irradiation during their manufacture, their engineering and whilst in-service. The consequences of such bombardment can be vastly different from those seen in the bulk. In this paper, we combine transmission electron microscopy with in situ ion irradiation with complementary computer modelling techniques to explore the physics governing the effects of 1.7 MeV Au ions on gold nanorods. Phenomena surrounding the sputtering and associated morphological changes caused by the ion irradiation have been explored. In both the experiments and the simulations, large variations in the sputter yields from individual nanorods were observed. These sputter yields have been shown to correlate with the strength of channelling directions close to the direction in which the ion beam was incident. Craters decorated by ejecta blankets were found to form due to cluster emission thus explaining the high sputter yields.
Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channels MCA1 and MCA2 mediate cold-induced cytosolic Ca2+ increase and cold tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Mori Kendo , Renhu Na , Naito Maho , Nakamura Aki , Shiba Hayato , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Suzaki Takuya , Iida Hidetoshi , Miura Kenji 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCold shock triggers an immediate rise in the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) in Arabidopsis thaliana and this cold-induced elevation of [Ca2+]cyt is inhibited by lanthanum or EGTA. It is suggested that intracellular calcium mainly contributes to the cold-induced [Ca2+]cyt response by entering into the cytosol. Two calcium-permeable mechanosensitive channels, MCA1 and MCA2 (mid1-complementing activity), have been identified in Arabidopsis. Here, we demonstrate that MCA1 and MCA2 are involved in a cold-induced increase in [Ca2+]cyt. The cold-induced [Ca2+]cyt increase in mca1 and mca2 mutants was markedly lower than that in wild types. The mca1 mca2 double mutant exhibited chilling and freezing sensitivity, compared to wild-type plants. Expression of At5g61820, At3g51660, and At4g15490, which are not regulated by the CBF/DREB1s transcription factor, was down-regulated in mca1 mca2. These results suggest that MCA1 and MCA2 are involved in the cold-induced elevation of [Ca2+]cyt, cold tolerance, and CBF/DREB1-independent cold signaling.
Peptide-based coatings for flexible implantable neural interfaces
Authors: Righi Martina , Puleo Gian Luigi , Tonazzini Ilaria , Giudetti Guido , Cecchini Marco , Micera Silvestro 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the last decade, the use of flexible biosensors for neuroprosthetic and translational applications has widely increased. Among them, the polyimide (PI)-based thin-film electrodes got a large popularity. However, the usability of these devices is still hampered by a non-optimal tissue-device interface that usually compromises the long-term quality of neural signals. Advanced strategies able to improve the surface properties of these devices have been developed in the recent past. Unfortunately, most of them are not easy to be developed and combined with micro-fabrication processes, and require long-term efforts to be testable with human subjects. Here we show the results of the design and in vitro testing of an easy-to-implement and potentially interesting coating approach for thin-film electrodes. In particular, two biocompatible coatings were obtained via covalent conjugation of a laminin-derived peptide, CAS-IKVAV-S (IKV), with polyimide sheets that we previously functionalized with vinyl- and amino- groups (PI_v and PI_a respectively). Both the engineered coatings (PI_v+IKV and PI_a+IKV) showed morphological and chemical properties able to support neuronal adhesion, neurite sprouting, and peripheral glial cell viability while reducing the fibroblasts contamination of the substrate. In particular, PI_v+IKV showed promising results that encourage further in vivo investigation and pave the way for a new generation of peptide-coated thin-film electrodes.
Reverse micelle Extraction of Antibiotics using an Eco-friendly Sophorolipids Biosurfactant
Authors: Chuo Sing Chuong , Abd-Talib Norfahana , Mohd-Setapar Siti Hamidah , Hassan Hashim , Nasir Hasmida Mohd , Ahmad Akil , Lokhat David , Ashraf Ghulam Md. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractReverse micelles extraction of erythromycin and amoxicillin were carried out using the novel Sophorolipids biosurfactant. By replacing commonly used chemical surfactants with biosurfactant, reverse micelle extraction can be further improved in terms of environmental friendliness and sustainability. A central composite experimental design was used to investigate the effects of solution pH, KCl concentration, and sophorolipids concentration on the reverse micelle extraction of antibiotics. The most significant factor identified during the reverse micelle extraction of both antibiotics is the pH of aqueous solutions. Best forward extraction performance for erythromycin was found at feed phase pH of approximately 8.0 with low KCl and sophorolipids concentrations. Optimum recovery of erythromycin was obtained at stripping phase pH around 10.0 and with low KCl concentration. On the other hand, best forward extraction performance for amoxicillin was found at feed phase pH around 3.5 with low KCl concentration and high sophorolipids concentration. Optimum recovery of erythromycin was obtained at stripping phase pH around 6.0 with low KCl concentration. Both erythromycin and amoxicillin were found to be very sensitive toaqueous phase pH and can be easily degraded outside of their stable pH ranges.
Differential proteomics of lesional vs. non-lesional biopsies revealed non-immune mechanisms of alopecia areata
Authors: Thanomkitti Kanchalit , Kanlaya Rattiyaporn , Fong-ngern Kedsarin , Kapincharanon Chompunoot , Sueksakit Kanyarat , Chanchaem Prangwalai , Thuangtong Rattapon , Thongboonkerd Visith 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlopecia areata (AA) is one of the common hair disorders for which treatment is frequently ineffective and associated with relapsing episodes. Better understanding of disease mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets are thus required. From 10 AA patients, quantitative proteomics using LTQ-Orbitrap-XL mass spectrometer revealed 104 down-regulated, 4 absent, 3 up-regulated and 11 newly present proteins in lesional vs. non-lesional biopsies. Among these, the decreased levels of α-tubulin, vimentin, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), HSP90, annexin A2 and α-enolase were successfully confirmed by Western blotting. Protein-protein interactions network analysis using STRING tool revealed that the most frequent biological processes/networks of the down-regulated proteins included tissue development, cell differentiation, response to wounding and catabolic process, whereas those for the up-regulated proteins included biological process, metabolic process, cellular transport, cellular component organization and response to stimulus. Interestingly, only 5 increased/newly present proteins were associated with the regulation of immune system, which may not be the predominant pathway in AA pathogenic mechanisms as previously assumed. In summary, we report herein the first proteome dataset of AA demonstrating a number of novel pathways, which can be linked to the disease mechanisms and may lead to discovery of new therapeutic targets for AA.
An application of machine learning to haematological diagnosis
Authors: Gunčar Gregor , Kukar Matjaž , Notar Mateja , Brvar Miran , Černelč Peter , Notar Manca , Notar Marko 
Published: January 2018

AbstractQuick and accurate medical diagnoses are crucial for the successful treatment of diseases. Using machine learning algorithms and based on laboratory blood test results, we have built two models to predict a haematologic disease. One predictive model used all the available blood test parameters and the other used only a reduced set that is usually measured upon patient admittance. Both models produced good results, obtaining prediction accuracies of 0.88 and 0.86 when considering the list of five most likely diseases and 0.59 and 0.57 when considering only the most likely disease. The models did not differ significantly, which indicates that a reduced set of parameters can represent a relevant “fingerprint” of a disease. This knowledge expands the model’s utility for use by general practitioners and indicates that blood test results contain more information than physicians generally recognize. A clinical test showed that the accuracy of our predictive models was on par with that of haematology specialists. Our study is the first to show that a machine learning predictive model based on blood tests alone can be successfully applied to predict haematologic diseases. This result and could open up unprecedented possibilities for medical diagnosis.
Whole-Mount Adult Ear Skin Imaging Reveals Defective Neuro-Vascular Branching Morphogenesis in Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Mouse Models
Authors: Yamazaki Tomoko , Li Wenling , Yang Ling , Li Ping , Cao Haiming , Motegi Sei-ichiro , Udey Mark C. , Bernhard Elise , Nakamura Takahisa , Mukouyama Yoh-suke 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObesity and type 2 diabetes are frequently associated with peripheral neuropathy. Though there are multiple methods for diagnosis and analysis of morphological changes of peripheral nerves and blood vessels, three-dimensional high-resolution imaging is necessary to appreciate the pathogenesis with an anatomically recognizable branching morphogenesis and patterning. Here we established a novel technique for whole-mount imaging of adult mouse ear skin to visualize branching morphogenesis and patterning of peripheral nerves and blood vessels. Whole-mount immunostaining of adult mouse ear skin showed that peripheral sensory and sympathetic nerves align with large-diameter blood vessels. Diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice exhibit defective vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) coverage, while there is no significant change in the amount of peripheral nerves. The leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice, a severe obese and type 2 diabetic mouse model, exhibit defective VSMC coverage and a large increase in the amount of smaller-diameter nerve bundles with myelin sheath and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Interestingly, an increase in the amount of myeloid immune cells was observed in the DIO but not db/db mouse skin. These data suggest that our whole-mount imaging method enables us to investigate the neuro-vascular and neuro-immune phenotypes in the animal models of obesity and diabetes.
Droplet digital PCR-based EGFR mutation detection with an internal quality control index to determine the quality of DNA
Authors: Kim Sung-Su , Choi Hyun-Jeung , Kim Jin Ju , Kim M. Sun , Lee In-Seon , Byun Bohyun , Jia Lina , Oh Myung Ryurl , Moon Youngho , Park Sarah , Choi Joon-Seok , Chae Seoung Wan , Nam Byung-Ho , Kim Jin-Soo , Kim Jihun , Min Byung Soh , Lee Jae Seok , Won Jae-Kyung , Cho Soo Youn , Choi Yoon-La , Shin Young Kee 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn clinical translational research and molecular in vitro diagnostics, a major challenge in the detection of genetic mutations is overcoming artefactual results caused by the low-quality of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET)-derived DNA (FFPET-DNA). Here, we propose the use of an ‘internal quality control (iQC) index’ as a criterion for judging the minimum quality of DNA for PCR-based analyses. In a pre-clinical study comparing the results from droplet digital PCR-based EGFR mutation test (ddEGFR test) and qPCR-based EGFR mutation test (cobas EGFR test), iQC index ≥ 0.5 (iQC copies ≥ 500, using 3.3 ng of FFPET-DNA [1,000 genome equivalents]) was established, indicating that more than half of the input DNA was amplifiable. Using this criterion, we conducted a retrospective comparative clinical study of the ddEGFR and cobas EGFR tests for the detection of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) FFPET-DNA samples. Compared with the cobas EGFR test, the ddEGFR test exhibited superior analytical performance and equivalent or higher clinical performance. Furthermore, iQC index is a reliable indicator of the quality of FFPET-DNA and could be used to prevent incorrect diagnoses arising from low-quality samples.
Defining tissue proteomes by systematic literature review
Authors: Hibbert Sarah A. , Ozols Matiss , Griffiths Christopher E. M. , Watson Rachel E. B. , Bell Mike , Sherratt Michael J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDefining protein composition is a key step in understanding the function of both healthy and diseased biological systems. There is currently little consensus between existing published proteomes in tissues such as the aorta, cartilage and organs such as skin. Lack of agreement as to both the number and identity of proteins may be due to issues in protein extraction, sensitivity/specificity of detection and the use of disparate tissue/cell sources. Here, we developed a method combining bioinformatics and systematic review to screen >32M articles from the Web of Science for evidence of proteins in healthy human skin. The resulting Manchester Proteome (www.manchesterproteome.manchester.ac.uk) collates existing evidence which characterises 2,948 skin proteins, 437 unique to our database and 2011 evidenced by both mass spectrometry and immune-based techniques. This approach circumvents the limitations of individual proteomics studies and can be applied to other species, organs, cells or disease-states. Accurate tissue proteomes will aid development of engineered constructs and offer insight into disease treatments by highlighting differences in proteomic composition.
Laboratory Study on Disconnection Events in Comets
Authors: Li Yan-Fei , Li Yu-Tong , Wang Wei-Min , Yuan Da-Wei , Zhu Bao-Jun , Zhong Jia-Yong , Wei Hui-Gang , Li Fang , Han Bo , Zhang Kai , Pei Xiao-Xing , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Jia-Rui , Liu Chang , Liao Guo-Qian , Fang Zhi-Heng , Wang Chen , Wang Xiao-Gang , Sakawa Youichi , Rhee Yong-Joo , Lu Xin , Hua Neng , Zhu Bao-Qiang , Morita Taichi , Kuramitsu Yasuhiro , Huang Xiu-Guang , Fu Si-Zu , Zhu Jian-Qiang , Zhao Gang , Zhang Jie 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWhen comets interacting with solar wind, straight and narrow plasma tails will be often formed. The most remarkable phenomenon of the plasma tails is the disconnection event, in which a plasma tail is uprooted from the comet’s head and moves away from the comet. In this paper, the interaction process between a comet and solar wind is simulated by using a laser-driven plasma cloud to hit a cylinder obstacle. A disconnected plasma tail is observed behind the obstacle by optical shadowgraphy and interferometry. Our particle-in-cell simulations show that the difference in thermal velocity between ions and electrons induces an electrostatic field behind the obstacle. This field can lead to the convergence of ions to the central region, resulting in a disconnected plasma tail. This electrostatic-field-induced model may be a possible explanation for the disconnection events of cometary tails.