bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrolysis of Selected Tropical Plant Wastes Catalyzed by a Magnetic Carbonaceous Acid with Microwave
Authors: Su Tong-Chao , Fang Zhen , Zhang Fan , Luo Jia , Li Xing-Kang 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn this study, magnetic carbonaceous acids were synthesized by pyrolysis of the homogeneous mixtures of glucose and magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and subsequent sulfonation. The synthesis conditions were optimized to obtain a catalyst with both high acid density (0.75 mmol g−1) and strong magnetism [magnetic saturation, Ms = 19.5 Am2 kg−1]. The screened catalyst (C-SO3H/Fe3O4) was used to hydrolyze ball-milled cellulose in a microwave reactor with total reducing sugar (TRS) yield of 25.3% under the best conditions at 190 °C for 3.5 h. It was cycled for at least seven times with high catalyst recovery rate (92.8%), acid density (0.63 mmol g−1) and magnetism (Ms = 12.9 Am2 kg−1), as well as high TRS yield (20.1%) from the hydrolysis of ball-milled cellulose. The catalyst was further successfully tested for the hydrolysis of tropical biomass with high TRS and glucose yields of 79.8% and 58.3% for bagasse, 47.2% and 35.6% for Jatropha hulls, as well as 54.4% and 35.8% for Plukenetia hulls.
Burst predicting neurons survive an in vitro glutamate injury model of cerebral ischemia
Authors: Kuebler Eric S. , Tauskela Joseph S. , Aylsworth Amy , Zhao Xigeng , Thivierge Jean-Philippe 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNeuronal activity in vitro exhibits network bursts characterized by brief periods of increased spike rates. Recent work shows that a subpopulation of neurons reliably predicts the occurrence of network bursts. Here, we examined the role of burst predictors in cultures undergoing an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia. Dissociated primary cortical neurons were plated on multielectrode arrays and spontaneous activity was recorded at 17 days in vitro (DIV). This activity was characterized by neuronal avalanches where burst statistics followed a power law. We identified burst predictors as channels that consistently fired immediately prior to network bursts. The timing of these predictors relative to bursts followed a skewed distribution that differed sharply from a null model based on branching ratio. A portion of cultures were subjected to an excitotoxic insult (DIV 18). Propidium iodine and fluorescence imaging confirmed cell death in these cultures. While the insult did not alter the distribution of avalanches, it resulted in alterations in overall spike rates. Burst predictors, however, maintained baseline levels of activity. The resilience of burst predictors following excitotoxic insult suggests a key role of these units in maintaining network activity following injury, with implications for the selective effects of ischemia in the brain.
Loss of synaptic Zn2+ transporter function increases risk of febrile seizures
Authors: Hildebrand Michael S. , Phillips A. Marie , Mullen Saul A. , Adlard Paul A. , Hardies Katia , Damiano John A. , Wimmer Verena , Bellows Susannah T. , McMahon Jacinta M. , Burgess Rosemary , Hendrickx Rik , Weckhuysen Sarah , Suls Arvid , De Jonghe Peter , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Petrou Steven , Berkovic Samuel F. , Reid Christopher A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractFebrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizure syndrome and are potentially a prelude to more severe epilepsy. Although zinc (Zn2+) metabolism has previously been implicated in FS, whether or not variation in proteins essential for Zn2+ homeostasis contributes to susceptibility is unknown. Synaptic Zn2+ is co-released with glutamate and modulates neuronal excitability. SLC30A3 encodes the zinc transporter 3 (ZNT3), which is primarily responsible for moving Zn2+ into synaptic vesicles. Here we sequenced SLC30A3 and discovered a rare variant (c.892C > T; p.R298C) enriched in FS populations but absent in population-matched controls. Functional analysis revealed a significant loss-of-function of the mutated protein resulting from a trafficking deficit. Furthermore, mice null for ZnT3 were more sensitive than wild-type to hyperthermia-induced seizures that model FS. Together our data suggest that reduced synaptic Zn2+ increases the risk of FS and more broadly support the idea that impaired synaptic Zn2+ homeostasis can contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability.
MHD Stagnation-Point Flow and Heat Transfer with Effects of Viscous Dissipation, Joule Heating and Partial Velocity Slip
Authors: Mat Yasin Mohd Hafizi , Ishak Anuar , Pop Ioan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe steady two-dimensional stagnation-point flow and heat transfer past a permeable stretching/shrinking sheet with effects of viscous dissipation, Joule heating and partial velocity slip in the presence of a magnetic field is investigated. The partial differential equations are reduced to nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using a similarity transformation, before being solved numerically by shooting technique. Results indicate that the skin friction coefficient and the local Nusselt number increase as magnetic parameter increases. It is found that for the stretching sheet the solution is unique while for the shrinking sheet there exist nonunique solutions (dual solutions) in certain range of parameters. The stability analysis shows that the upper branch solution is stable while the lower branch solution is unstable.
Nonlinear Generation of Electromagnetic Waves through Induced Scattering by Thermal Plasma
Authors: Tejero E. M. , Crabtree C. , Blackwell D. D. , Amatucci W. E. , Mithaiwala M. , Ganguli G. , Rudakov L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe demonstrate the conversion of electrostatic pump waves into electromagnetic waves through nonlinear induced scattering by thermal particles in a laboratory plasma. Electrostatic waves in the whistler branch are launched that propagate near the resonance cone. When the amplitude exceeds a threshold ~5 × 10−6 times the background magnetic field, wave power is scattered below the pump frequency with wave normal angles (~59°), where the scattered wavelength reaches the limits of the plasma column. The scattered wave has a perpendicular wavelength that is an order of magnitude larger than the pump wave and longer than the electron skin depth. The amplitude threshold, scattered frequency spectrum and scattered wave normal angles are in good agreement with theory. The results may affect the analysis and interpretation of space observations and lead to a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the Earth’s plasma environment.
PMMA interlayer-modulated memory effects by space charge polarization in resistive switching based on CuSCN-nanopyramids/ZnO-nanorods p-n heterojunction
Authors: Cheng Baochang , Zhao Jie , Xiao Li , Cai Qiangsheng , Guo Rui , Xiao Yanhe , Lei Shuijin 
Published: December 2015

AbstractResistive switching (RS) devices are commonly believed as a promising candidate for next generation nonvolatile resistance random access memory. Here, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) interlayer was introduced at the heterointerface of p-CuSCN hollow nanopyramid arrays and n-ZnO nanorod arrays, resulting in a typical bipolar RS behavior. We propose the mechanism of nanostructure trap-induced space charge polarization modulated by PMMA interlayer. At low reverse bias, PMMA insulator can block charges through the heterointerface and "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" trapped states are respectively created on both sides of PMMA, resulting in a high resistance state (HRS) due to wider depletion region. At high reverse bias, however, electrons and holes can cross PMMA interlayer by Fowler-Nordeim tunneling due to a massive tilt of energy band and then inject into the traps of ZnO and CuSCN, respectively. "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" trapped states are created, resulting in the formation of degenerate semiconductors on both sides of PMMA. Therefore, quantum tunneling and space charge polarization lead to a low resistance state (LRS). At relatively high forward bias, subsequently, the trapped states of "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" are recreated due to the opposite injection of charges, resulting in a recovery of HRS. The introduction of insulating interlayer at heterointerface, point a way to develop next-generation nonvolatile memories.
Phase separation enhanced magneto-electric coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 ultra-thin films
Authors: Alberca A. , Munuera C. , Azpeitia J. , Kirby B. , Nemes N. M. , Perez-Muñoz A. M. , Tornos J. , Mompean F. J. , Leon C. , Santamaria J. , Garcia-Hernandez M. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe study the origin of the magnetoelectric coupling in manganite films on ferroelectric substrates. We find large magnetoelectric coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 ultra-thin films in experiments based on the converse magnetoelectric effect. The magnetization changes by around 30–40% upon applying electric fields on the order of 1 kV/cm to the BaTiO3 substrate, corresponding to magnetoelectric coupling constants on the order of α = (2–5)·10−7 s/m. Magnetic anisotropy is also affected by the electric field induced strain, resulting in a considerable reduction of coercive fields. We compare the magnetoelectric effect in pre-poled and unpoled BaTiO3 substrates. Polarized neutron reflectometry reveals a two-layer behavior with a depressed magnetic layer of around 30 Å at the interface. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) shows a granular magnetic structure of the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3. The magnetic granularity of the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 film and the robust magnetoelastic coupling at the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 interface are at the origin of the large magnetoelectric coupling, which is enhanced by phase separation in the manganite.
Aflibercept Traps Galectin-1, an Angiogenic Factor Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Kanda Atsuhiro , Noda Kousuke , Saito Wataru , Ishida Susumu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A-driven angiogenesis contributes to various disorders including cancer and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Among several VEGF-A blockers clinically used is aflibercept, a chimeric VEGFR1/VEGFR2-based decoy receptor fused to the Fc fragment of IgG1 (i.e., VEGFR1/VEGFR2-Fc). Here, we revealed a novel anti-angiogenic function for aflibercept beyond its antagonism against VEGF family members. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analyses identified galectin-1 as an aflibercept-interacting protein. Biolayer interferometry revealed aflibercept binding to galectin-1 with higher affinity than VEGFR1-Fc and VEGFR2-Fc, which was abolished by deglycosylation of aflibercept with peptide:N-glycosidase F. Retinal LGALS1/Galectin-1 mRNA expression was enhanced in vitro by hypoxic stimulation and in vivo by induction of diseases including diabetes. Galectin-1 immunoreactivity co-localized with VEGFR2 in neovascular tissues surgically excised from human eyes with PDR. Compared with non-diabetic controls, intravitreal galectin-1 protein levels were elevated in PDR eyes, showing no correlation with increased VEGF-A levels. Preoperative injection of bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody to VEGF-A, reduced the VEGF-A, but not galectin-1, levels. Galectin-1 application to human retinal microvascular endothelial cells up-regulated VEGFR2 phosphorylation, which was eliminated by aflibercept. Our present findings demonstrated the neutralizing efficacy of aflibercept against galectin-1, an angiogenic factor associated with PDR independently of VEGF-A.
Effects of trophic status on microcystin production and the dominance of cyanobacteria in the phytoplankton assemblage of Mediterranean reservoirs
Authors: Mariani Maria Antonietta , Padedda Bachisio Mario , Kaštovský Jan , Buscarinu Paola , Sechi Nicola , Virdis Tomasa , Lugliè Antonella 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe aim of our study was to evaluate the abundance of cyanobacteria and microcystins in four Sardinian reservoirs (Italy) characterised by different trophic status to define a reference picture for future changes. Increasing levels of eutrophication and the abundance of cyanobacteria are expected to occur due to climate change, especially in the southern Mediterranean. Consequently, an in-depth study of the occurrence of harmful cyanobacteria is important to develop appropriate management strategies for water resources at a local scale. Monthly samples were collected at one station in each reservoir over an 18-month period. The Analysis of similarity indicated that cyanobacterial abundance and species composition differed significantly among the reservoirs. The Redundancy analysis highlighted their relationship to trophic, hydrological and seasonal patterns. Spearman’s analysis indicated that there were significant correlations among the most important species (Planktothrix agardhii–rubescens group, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Dolichospermum planctonicum), nutrients and microcystins. We highlighted that the species composition during periods of maximum microcystin concentrations differed from those typically reported for other Mediterranean sites. We found new potential microcystin producers (Aphanizomenon klebahnii, Dolichospermum macrosporum and Dolichospermum viguieri), which emphasised the high diversity of cyanobacteria in the Mediterranean area and the need for detailed research at the local scale.
Observation of stimulated emission from a single Fe-doped AlN triangular fiber at room temperature
Authors: Jiang Liangbao , Jin Shifeng , Wang Wenjun , Zuo Sibin , Li Zhilin , Wang Shunchong , Zhu Kaixing , Wei Zhiyi , Chen Xiaolong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAluminum nitride (AlN) is a well known wide-band gap semiconductor that has been widely used in fabricating various ultraviolet photo-electronic devices. Herein, we demonstrate that a fiber laser can be achieved in Fe-doped AlN fiber where Fe is the active ion and AlN fiber is used as the gain medium. Fe-doped single crystal AlN fibers with a diameter of 20–50 μm and a length of 0.5–1 mm were preparated successfully. Stimulated emission (peak at about 607 nm and FWHM ~0.2 nm) and a long luminescence lifetime (2.5 ms) were observed in the fibers by a 532nm laser excitation at room temperature. The high quality long AlN fibers are also found to be good optical waveguides. This kind of fiber lasers may possess potential advantages over traditional fiber lasers in enhancing power output and extending laser wavelengths from infrared to visible regime.
A simple feature construction method for predicting upstream/downstream signal flow in human protein-protein interaction networks
Authors: Mei Suyu , Zhu Hao 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSignaling pathways play important roles in understanding the underlying mechanism of cell growth, cell apoptosis, organismal development and pathways-aberrant diseases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks are commonly-used infrastructure to infer signaling pathways. However, PPI networks generally carry no information of upstream/downstream relationship between interacting proteins, which retards our inferring the signal flow of signaling pathways. In this work, we propose a simple feature construction method to train a SVM (support vector machine) classifier to predict PPI upstream/downstream relations. The domain based asymmetric feature representation naturally embodies domain-domain upstream/downstream relations, providing an unconventional avenue to predict the directionality between two objects. Moreover, we propose a semantically interpretable decision function and a macro bag-level performance metric to satisfy the need of two-instance depiction of an interacting protein pair. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves satisfactory cross validation performance and independent test performance. Lastly, we use the trained model to predict the PPIs in HPRD, Reactome and IntAct. Some predictions have been validated against recent literature.
Altered miRNA Signature of Developing Germ-cells in Infertile Patients Relates to the Severity of Spermatogenic Failure and Persists in Spermatozoa
Authors: Muñoz Xavier , Mata Ana , Bassas Lluís , Larriba Sara 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the cellular miRNA expression behaviour in testes with spermatogenic failure (SpF). We performed a high-throughput screen of 623 mature miRNAs by a quantitative RT-qPCR-based approach in histologically well-defined testicular samples with spermatogenic disruption at different germ-cell stages, which revealed altered patterns of miRNA expression. We focussed on the differentially expressed miRNAs whose expression correlated with the number of testicular mature germ-cells and described the combined expression values of a panel of three miRNAs (miR-449a, miR-34c-5p and miR-122) as a predictive test for the presence of mature germ-cells in testicular biopsy. Additionally, we determined decreased cellular miRNA content in developing germ-cells of SpF testis; this was more noticeable the earlier the stage of germ-cell differentiation was affected by maturation failure. Furthermore, we showed that the miRNA expression profile in mature sperm from mild SpF patients was widely altered. Our results suggest that the cellular miRNA content of developed germ-cells depends heavily on the efficacy of the spermatogenic process. What is more, spermatozoa that have fulfilled the differentiation process still retain the dysregulated miRNA pattern observed in the developing SpF germ-cells. This altered miRNA molecular signature may have functional implications for the male gamete.
A20 regulates IL-1-induced tolerant production of CXC chemokines in human mesangial cells via inhibition of MAPK signaling
Authors: Luo Hongbo , Liu Yuming , Li Qian , Liao Lingjuan , Sun Ruili , Liu Xueting , Jiang Manli , Hu Jinyue 
Published: December 2015

AbstractChemokines and chemokine receptors are involved in the resolution or progression of renal diseases. Locally secreted chemokines mediated leukocyte recruitment during the initiation and amplification phase of renal inflammation. However, the regulation of chemokine induction is not fully understood. In this study, we found that IL-1 induced a significant up-regulation of CXC chemokines CXCL1, 2 and 8 at both mRNA and protein levels in human mesangial cells. The induction of chemokines was tolerant, as the pre-treatment of HMC with IL-1 down-regulated the induction of chemokines induced by IL-1 re-stimulation. IL-1 up-regulated the ubiquintin-editing enzyme A20. A20 over-expression down-regulated IL-1-induced up-regulation of chemokines and A20 down-regulation reversed chemokine inhibition induced by IL-1 pre-treatment, suggested that A20 played important roles in the tolerant production of chemokines. Unexpectedly, A20 over- expression inhibited the activation of ERK, JNK and P38, but did not inhibit the activation of NF-κB. In addition, both IL-1 treatment and A20 over-expression induced the degradation of IRAK1, an important adaptor for IL-1R1 signaling and A20 inhibition by RNA interference partly reversed the degradation of IRAK1. Taken together, IL-1-induced A20 negatively regulated chemokine production, suggesting that A20 may be an important target for the prevention and control of kidney inflammation.
Distinct X-chromosome SNVs from some sporadic AD samples
Authors: Gómez-Ramos A. , Podlesniy P. , Soriano E. , Avila J. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSporadic Alzheimer disease (SAD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. With the development of new generation DNA sequencing technologies, additional genetic risk factors have been described. Here we used various methods to process DNA sequencing data in order to gain further insight into this important disease. We have sequenced the exomes of brain samples from SAD patients and non-demented controls. Using either method, we found a higher number of single nucleotide variants (SNVs), from SAD patients, in genes present at the X chromosome. Using the most stringent method, we validated these variants by Sanger sequencing. Two of these gene variants, were found in loci related to the ubiquitin pathway (UBE2NL and ATXN3L), previously do not described as genetic risk factors for SAD.
Chikusetsu saponin IVa confers cardioprotection via SIRT1/ERK1/2 and Homer1a pathway
Authors: Duan Jialin , Yin Ying , Wei Guo , Cui Jia , Zhang Enhu , Guan Yue , Yan Jiajia , Guo Chao , Zhu Yanrong , Mu Fei , Weng Yan , Wang Yanhua , Wu Xiaoxiao , Xi Miaomiao , Wen Aidong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHyperglycemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Ca2+ overload contribute to the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we aimed to study the protective effects of Chikusetsu saponin IVa (CHS) from Aralia taibaiensis against hyperglycemia-induced myocardial injuries. Treatment of H9c2 cells with high glucose (HG) for 24 h resulted in a loss of cell viability and increase of ROS, LDH and Ca2+ levels and also induced cell apoptosis and those changes were all markedly reversed by the administration of CHS. In further studies, CHS dose-dependently increased the expression of Homer1a, ERK1/2 and SIRT1 in both H9c2 cells and rat primary cardiomyocytes. However, transfection of Homer1a-specific siRNA abolished the ability of CHS in controlling the ROS and Ca2+ homeostasis. Moreover, specific SIRT1 inhibitors or siRNA significantly suppressed the enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and expression of Homer1a induced by CHS as well as its cytoprotective effect. CHS induced Homer1a expression was also suppressed by siERK1/2. Additionally, results in diabetic mice also showed that CHS protected myocardium from I/R-introduced apoptosis by activating the SIRT1/ERK1/2/Homer1a pathway. These results demonstrated that CHS protected against hyperglycemia-induced myocardial injury through SIRT1/ERK1/2 and Homer1a pathway in vivo and in vitro.
Zero‐voltage‐transition bridgeless power factor correction rectifier with soft‐switched auxiliary circuit
Authors: Hua Chih‐Chiang , Fang Yi‐Hsiung , Huang Chin‐Hsiung 
Published: December 2015

This study presents a zero‐voltage‐transition (ZVT) bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) rectifier, which uses an auxiliary circuit with a transformer to achieve soft‐switching for the main power switches. With the auxiliary circuit, the main switches can be ZVT turned‐on without any additional voltage or current stresses. In addition, the auxiliary switch is turned‐off with zero‐current switching. Therefore, the switching loss of all power switches is reduced, and the overall rectifier efficiency is improved. The circuit topology, operation analysis and the components selection of the proposed rectifier are described in detail. Finally, a laboratory prototype of 700 W is implemented and tested to verify the performance of the proposed PFC rectifier.
Insect biofuel cell using an electrode with gold nanoparticles deposited by sputtering
Authors: Shoji Kan , Akiyama Yoshitake , Suzuki Masato , Nakamura Nobuhumi , Ohno Hiroyuki , Morishima Keisuke 
Published: December 2015

A high‐stability living battery that uses a metallic catalyst for glucose oxidation instead of enzymes is investigated. In this battery, glucose in insect haemolymph is oxidised by a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐modified electrode, which is utilised as the anode of the battery. The AuNP‐modified electrode was fabricated by sputtering gold onto a carbon cloth in a low‐vacuum state. First, the oxidation performance values of glucose were evaluated and the oxidation current of glucose was obtained by the AuNP‐modified electrode from cockroach haemolymph (CHL). Then, the electrocatalytic stability of the AuNP‐modified electrode was compared with an enzymatic electrode. Furthermore, a glucose biofuel cell consisting of the AuNP‐modified electrode and a bilirubin oxidase‐modified electrode was constructed; the respective power densities obtained from 100 mM glucose solution and CHL were 22.4 and 15.1 µW/cm2, respectively. It is concluded that AuNPs are a useful catalyst for living batteries.