bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Memristive Sisyphus circuit for clock signal generation
Authors: Pershin Yuriy V. , Shevchenko Sergey N. , Nori Franco 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFrequency generators are widely used in electronics. Here, we report the design and experimental realization of a memristive frequency generator employing a unique combination of only digital logic gates, a single-supply voltage and a realistic thresholdtype memristive device. In our circuit, the oscillator frequency and duty cycle are defined by the switching characteristics of the memristive device and external resistors. We demonstrate the circuit operation both experimentally, using a memristor emulator, and theoretically, using a model memristive device with threshold. Importantly, nanoscale realizations of memristive devices offer small-size alternatives to conventional quartz-based oscillators. In addition, the suggested approach can be used for mimicking some cyclic (Sisyphus) processes in nature, such as “dripping ants” or drops from leaky faucets.
Possible mechanisms of host resistance to Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep breeds native to the Canary Islands
Authors: Guo Zhengyu , González Jorge Francisco , Hernandez Julia N. , McNeilly Tom N. , Corripio-Miyar Yolanda , Frew David , Morrison Tyler , Yu Peng , Li Robert W. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHaemonchus contortusappears to be the most economically important helminth parasite for small ruminant production in many regions of the world. The two sheep breeds native to the Canary Islands display distinctly different resistant phenotypes under both natural and experimental infections. Canaria Hair Breed (CHB) tends to have significantly lower worm burden and delayed and reduced egg production than the susceptible Canaria Sheep (CS). To understand molecular mechanisms underlying host resistance, we compared the abomasal mucosal transcriptome of the two breeds in response toHaemonchusinfection using RNAseq technology. The transcript abundance of 711 and 50 genes were significantly impacted by infection in CHB and CS, respectively (false discovery rate <0.05) while 27 of these genes were significantly affected in both breeds. Likewise, 477 and 16 Gene Ontology (GO) terms were significantly enriched in CHB and CS, respectively (P < 1.0 × 10−4). A broad range of mechanisms have evolved in resistant CHB to provide protection against the parasite. Our findings suggest that readily inducible acute inflammatory responses, complement activation, accelerated cell proliferation and subsequent tissue repair and immunity directed against parasite fecundity all contributed to the development of host resistance to parasitic infection in the resistant breed.
Pseudouridine synthase 1 deficient mice, a model for Mitochondrial Myopathy with Sideroblastic Anemia, exhibit muscle morphology and physiology alterations
Authors: Mangum Joshua E. , Hardee Justin P. , Fix Dennis K. , Puppa Melissa J. , Elkes Johnathon , Altomare Diego , Bykhovskaya Yelena , Campagna Dean R. , Schmidt Paul J. , Sendamarai Anoop K. , Lidov Hart G. W. , Barlow Shayne C. , Fischel-Ghodsian Nathan , Fleming Mark D. , Carson James A. , Patton Jeffrey R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMitochondrial myopathy with lactic acidosis and sideroblastic anemia (MLASA) is an oxidative phosphorylation disorder, with primary clinical manifestations of myopathic exercise intolerance and a macrocytic sideroblastic anemia. One cause of MLASA is recessive mutations in PUS1, which encodes pseudouridine (Ψ) synthase 1 (Pus1p). Here we describe a mouse model of MLASA due to mutations in PUS1. As expected, certain Ψ modifications were missing in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs from Pus1−/− animals. Pus1−/− mice were born at the expected Mendelian frequency and were non-dysmorphic. At 14 weeks the mutants displayed reduced exercise capacity. Examination of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle morphology and histochemistry demonstrated an increase in the cross sectional area and proportion of myosin heavy chain (MHC) IIB and low succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) expressing myofibers, without a change in the size of MHC IIA positive or high SDH myofibers. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was significantly reduced in extracts from red gastrocnemius muscle from Pus1−/− mice. Transmission electron microscopy on red gastrocnemius muscle demonstrated that Pus1−/− mice also had lower intermyofibrillar mitochondrial density and smaller mitochondria. Collectively, these results suggest that alterations in muscle metabolism related to mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity may account for the reduced exercise capacity in Pus1−/− mice.
Role of Human Corneal Stroma-Derived Mesenchymal-Like Stem Cells in Corneal Immunity and Wound Healing
Authors: Veréb Zoltán , Póliska Szilárd , Albert Réka , Olstad Ole Kristoffer , Boratkó Anita , Csortos Csilla , Moe Morten C. , Facskó Andrea , Petrovski Goran 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCorneal tissue regeneration is of crucial importance for maintaining normal vision. We aimed to isolate and cultivate human corneal stroma-derived mesenchymal stem-like cells (CSMSCs) from the central part of cadaver corneas and study their phenotype, multipotency, role in immunity and wound healing. The isolated cells grew as monolayersin vitro, expressed mesenchymal- and stemness-related surface markers (CD73, CD90, CD105, CD140b) and were negative for hematopoietic markers as determined by flow cytometry. CSMSCs were able to differentiatein vitrointo fat, bone and cartilage. Their gene expression profile was closer to bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) than to limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) as determined by high-throughput screening. The immunosuppressive properties of CSMSCs were confirmed by a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), while they could inhibit proliferation of activated immune cells. Treatment of CSMSCs by pro-inflammatory cytokines and toll-like receptor ligands significantly increased the secreted interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL-10) levels, as well as the cell surface adhesion molecules. CSMSCs were capable of closing a woundin vitrounder different stimuli. These cells thus contribute to corneal tissue homeostasis and play an immunomodulatory and regenerative role with possible implications in future cell therapies for treating sight-threatening corneal diseases.
Limits of agricultural greenhouse gas calculators to predict soil N2O and CH4 fluxes in tropical agriculture
Authors: Richards Meryl , Metzel Ruth , Chirinda Ngonidzashe , Ly Proyuth , Nyamadzawo George , Duong Vu Quynh , de Neergaard Andreas , Oelofse Myles , Wollenberg Eva , Keller Emma , Malin Daniella , Olesen Jørgen E. , Hillier Jonathan , Rosenstock Todd S. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDemand for tools to rapidly assess greenhouse gas impacts from policy and technological change in the agricultural sector has catalyzed the development of ‘GHG calculators’— simple accounting approaches that use a mix of emission factors and empirical models to calculate GHG emissions with minimal input data. GHG calculators, however, rely on models calibrated from measurements conducted overwhelmingly under temperate, developed country conditions. Here we show that GHG calculators may poorly estimate emissions in tropical developing countries by comparing calculator predictions against measurements from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Estimates based on GHG calculators were greater than measurements in 70% of the cases, exceeding twice the measured flux nearly half the time. For 41% of the comparisons, calculators incorrectly predicted whether emissions would increase or decrease with a change in management. These results raise concerns about applying GHG calculators to tropical farming systems and emphasize the need to broaden the scope of the underlying data.
Electrical stimulation influences chronic intermittent hypoxia-hypercapnia induction of muscle fibre transformation by regulating the microRNA/Sox6 pathway
Authors: Huang Shiyuan , Jin Lu , Shen Jie , Shang Ping , Jiang Xianxun , Wang Xiaotong 
Published: May 2016

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause muscle fibre transformation due to chronic intermittent hypoxia-hypercapnia (CIHH). Studies have shown that high expression of Sox6 in muscle could suppress type-I fibres through downregulating the PPARβ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β)/ERRγ (oestrogen-related receptor γ)/microRNA pathway. However, whether this pathway is involved in CIHH-induced muscle fibre transformation is unknown. Electrical stimulation (ES) is an effective approach to ameliorate muscle dysfunction. Here, we explored the effects of ES on CIHH-induced muscle fibre transformation and the microRNA/Sox6 pathway. After CIHH exposure, both the soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius (GC) muscles showed decreased type-I fibres. The PPARβ/ERRγ/mir-499&208b (PEM, for GC) and PPARβ/mir-499&208b (PM, for SOL) signalling cascades were suppressed, followed by elevated Sox6 expression. Low frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) activated the PEM/PM pathway and enhanced type-I fibre numbers through suppressing Sox6 in SOL and GC. High frequency electrical stimulation (HFES) promoted type-I fibre expression through activating the PEM pathway in GC. Although PPARβ expression and type-I fibres were suppressed in SOL after HFES, no significant change was found in mir-499&208b/Sox6 expression. These results suggest that the microRNA/Sox6 pathway is disturbed after CIHH. Both low and high frequency electrical stimulations induce muscle fibre transformation partly through regulating the microRNA/Sox6 pathway.
Bridging the gap: heparan sulfate and Scube2 assemble Sonic hedgehog release complexes at the surface of producing cells
Authors: Jakobs P. , Schulz P. , Ortmann C. , Schürmann S. , Exner S. , Rebollido-Rios R. , Dreier R. , Seidler D. G. , Grobe K. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDecision making in cellular ensembles requires the dynamic release of signaling molecules from the producing cells into the extracellular compartment. One important example of molecules that require regulated release in order to signal over several cell diameters is the Hedgehog (Hh) family, because all Hhs are synthesized as dual-lipidated proteins that firmly tether to the outer membrane leaflet of the cell that produces them. Factors for the release of the vertebrate Hh family member Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) include cell-surface sheddases that remove the lipidated terminal peptides, as well as the soluble glycoprotein Scube2 that cell-nonautonomously enhances this process. This raises the question of how soluble Scube2 is recruited to cell-bound Shh substrates to regulate their turnover. We hypothesized that heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans (HSPGs) on the producing cell surface may play this role. In this work, we confirm that HSPGs enrich Scube2 at the surface of Shh-producing cells and that Scube2-regulated proteolytic Shh processing and release depends on specific HS. This finding indicates that HSPGs act as cell-surface assembly and storage platforms for Shh substrates and for protein factors required for their release, making HSPGs critical decision makers for Scube2-dependent Shh signaling from the surface of producing cells.
Reducing-Agent-Free Instant Synthesis of Carbon-Supported Pd Catalysts in a Green Leidenfrost Droplet Reactor and Catalytic Activity in Formic Acid Dehydrogenation
Authors: Lee Dong-Wook , Jin Min-Ho , Lee Young-Joo , Park Ju-Hyoung , Lee Chun-Boo , Park Jong-Soo 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe development of green synthesis methods for supported noble metal catalysts remains important challenges to improve their sustainability. Here we first synthesized carbon-supported Pd catalysts in a green Leidenfrost droplet reactor without reducing agents, high-temperature calcination and reduction procedures. When the aqueous solution containing Pd nitrate precursor, carbon support, and water is dripped on a hot plate, vapor layer is formed between a solution droplet and hot surface, which allow the solution droplet to be levitated on the hot surface (Leidenfrost phenomena). Subsequently, Pd nanoparticles can be prepared without reducing agents in a weakly basic droplet reactor created by the Leidenfrost phenomena, and then the as-prepared Pd nanoparticles are loaded on carbon supports during boiling down the droplet on hot surface. Compared to conventional incipient wetness and chemical synthetic methods, the Leidenfrost droplet reactor does not need energy-consuming, time-consuming, and environmentally unfriendly procedures, which leads to much shorter synthesis time, lower carbon dioxide emission, and more ecofriendly process in comparison with conventional synthesis methods. Moreover, the catalysts synthesized in the Leidenfrost droplet reactor provided much better catalytic activity for room-temperature formic acid decomposition than those prepared by the incipient wetness method.
Promoting the bio-cathode formation of a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell by using powder activated carbon modified alum sludge in anode chamber
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhao Yaqian , Doherty Liam , Hu Yuansheng , Hao Xiaodi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMFC centered hybrid technologies have attracted attention during the last few years due to their compatibility and dual advantages of energy recovery and wastewater treatment. In this study, a MFC was integrated into a dewatered alum sludge (DAS)- based vertical upflow constructed wetland (CW). Powder activate carbon (PAC) was used in the anode area in varied percentage with DAS to explore its influences on the performance of the CW-MFC system. The trial has demonstrated that the inclusion of PAC improved the removal efficiencies of COD, TN and RP. More significantly, increasing the proportion of PAC from 2% to 10% can significantly enhance the maximum power densities from 36.58 mW/m2 to 87.79 mW/m2. The induced favorable environment for bio-cathode formation might be the main reason for this improvement since the content of total extracellular polymeric substances (TEPS) of the substrate in the cathode area almost doubled (from 44.59 μg/g wet sludge to 87.70 μg/g wet sludge) as the percentage of PAC increased to 10%. This work provides another potential usage of PAC in CW-MFCs with a higher wastewater treatment efficiency and energy recovery.
Fungal communities in sediments of subtropical Chinese seas as estimated by DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Meng Meng , Wang Xi Guang , Cheng Xiao Li , Guo Jia Jia , Bian Xiao Meng , Cai Lei 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRibosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS1) metabarcoding was used to investigate the distribution patterns of fungal communities and the factors influencing these patterns in subtropical Chinese seas, including the southern and northern Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. These seas were found to harbor high levels of fungal diversity, with 816 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that span 130 known genera, 36 orders, 14 classes and 5 phyla. Ascomycota was the most abundant phylum, containing 72.18% and 79.61% of all OTUs and sequences, respectively, followed by Basidiomycota (19.98%, 18.64%), Zygomycota (1.10%, 0.11%), Chytridiomycota (0.25%, 0.04%) and Rozellomycota (0.12%, 0.006%). The compositions of fungal communities across these three sea regions were found to be vary, which may be attributed to sediment source, geographical distance, latitude and some environmental factors such as the temperature and salinity of bottom water, water depth, total nitrogen, and the ratio of total organic carbon to nitrogen. Among these environmental factors, the temperature of bottom water is the most important driver that governs the distribution patterns of fungal communities across the sampled seas. Our data also suggest that the cold-water mass of the Yellow Sea likely balances competitive relationships between fungal taxa rather than increasing species richness levels.
Clogging-free microfluidics for continuous size-based separation of microparticles
Authors: Yoon Yousang , Kim Seonil , Lee Jusin , Choi Jaewoong , Kim Rae-Kwon , Lee Su-Jae , Sul Onejae , Lee Seung-Beck 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn microfluidic filtration systems, one of the leading obstacles to efficient, continuous operation is clogging of the filters. Here, we introduce a lateral flow microfluidic sieving (μ-sieving) technique to overcome clogging and to allow continuous operation of filter based microfluidic separation. A low frequency mechanical oscillation was added to the fluid flow, which made possible the release of aggregated unwanted polystyrene (PS) particles trapped between the larger target PS particles in the filter demonstrating continuous μ-sieving operation. We achieved collection of the target PS particles with 100% separation efficiency. Also, on average, more than 98% of the filtered target particles were retrieved after the filtration showing high retrieval rates. Since the oscillation was applied to the fluid but not to the microfluidic filter system, mechanical stresses to the system was minimized and no additional fabrication procedures were necessary. We also applied the μ-sieving technique to the separation of cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) from whole blood and showed that the fluidic oscillations prevented the filters from being blocked by the filtered cancer cells allowing continuous microfluidic separation with high efficiency.
Pulsed laser deposited GeTe-rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 thin films
Authors: Bouška M. , Pechev S. , Simon Q. , Boidin R. , Nazabal V. , Gutwirth J. , Baudet E. , Němec P. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPulsed laser deposition technique was used for the fabrication of Ge-Te rich GeTe-Sb2Te3 (Ge6Sb2Te9, Ge8Sb2Te11, Ge10Sb2Te13 and Ge12Sb2Te15) amorphous thin films. To evaluate the influence of GeTe content in the deposited films on physico-chemical properties of the GST materials, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and reflectometry, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, optical reflectivity and sheet resistance temperature dependences as well as variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements were used to characterize as-deposited (amorphous) and annealed (crystalline) layers. Upon crystallization, optical functions and electrical resistance of the films change drastically, leading to large optical and electrical contrast between amorphous and crystalline phases. Large changes of optical/electrical properties are accompanied by the variations of thickness, density and roughness of the films due to crystallization. Reflectivity contrast as high as ~0.21 at 405 nm was calculated for Ge8Sb2Te11, Ge10Sb2Te13 and Ge12Sb2Te15 layers.
A key role for the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in modulating nicotine taking in a model of nicotine and alcohol co-administration
Authors: Cippitelli Andrea , Schoch Jennifer , Debevec Ginamarie , Brunori Gloria , Zaveri Nurulain T. , Toll Lawrence 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAlcohol and nicotine are often co-abused. Although the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system is considered a potential target for development of drug abuse pharmacotherapies, especially for alcoholism, little is known about the role of this system in nicotine dependence. Furthermore, the effect of prior history of nicotine dependence on subsequent nicotine and alcohol taking is understudied. Using an operant co-administration paradigm, in which rats concurrently self-administer nicotine and alcohol, we found that nicotine dependent rats increased nicotine self-administration over time as compared to non-dependent animals, while patterns of alcohol lever pressing did not change between groups. Pretreatment with the potent NOP receptor agonist AT-202 (0.3–3 mg/kg) increased nicotine lever pressing of both dependent and non-dependent groups, whereas the selective antagonist SB612111 (1–10 mg/kg) elicited a clear reduction of nicotine responses, in both dependent and non-dependent rats. In parallel, AT-202 only produced minor changes on alcohol responses and SB612111 reduced alcohol taking at a dose that also reduced locomotor behavior. Results indicate that a history of nicotine dependence affects subsequent nicotine- but not alcohol-maintained responding and that NOP receptor antagonism, rather than agonism, blocks nicotine self-administration, which strongly suggests a critical role for the endogenous N/OFQ in the modulation of nicotine reinforcement processes.
An exploration on e-retailers’ home delivery – strategic elements and their prioritisation
Authors: Wang Chengbo , Mao Zhaofang , O'Kane James , Wang Jun 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a research exploring the important strategic elements and their prioritisation for e-retailers’ home delivery logistics process efficacy improvement.

Design/methodology/approach
– The research was completed through focus group, survey and importance-performance analysis.

Findings
– The research identified, confirmed and prioritised a set of explicitly important strategic elements currently deemed important by e-retailers for ensuring the efficacy of their home delivery logistics process in Chinese marketplace, and also referential to the other similar emerging marketplaces.

Research limitations/implications
– The research contributes positively to the enrichment of the theoretical knowledge pool of e-retailers’ logistics performance improvement.

Practical implications
– The research findings guide/inform the strategy development and implementation for e-retailers entering and/or operating in Chinese marketplace. And the findings can also be referential to the e-retail strategy development for entering and operating in other emerging markets similar to China’s. This point is particularly meaningful for those e-retailers that want to expand the outreaching and increase the popularity of their businesses in the global marketplace.

Originality/value
– Corresponding to the much needed further research on e-retailing home delivery performance improvement, the research provides findings that add substantial new insights into the field, with a particular focus on China, as one of the emerging developing marketplaces.
Proposed re-conceptualization of IT business value benefits
Authors: Daulatkar Sonal , Sangle Purnima S. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose– Financial measures, available aplenty, of returns on investments in information technology (IT) are deemed insufficient in terms of inclusion of intangible benefits. The purpose of this paper is to re-conceptualize the IT business value (ITBV) benefits by Gregoret al.(2006) after a contemporary evaluation.Design/methodology/approach– IT experts have been administered the instrument to provide insight into the contemporary cogitation of ITBV benefits and factor analyses are employed to re-conceptualize the ITBV benefits.Findings– Of the four ITBV benefits, the statistical analysis suggests that Informational and Transactional benefits need to be re-conceptualized. It is affected through a systematic linking of parameters – business strategy, objectives, information systems (IS) strategy, IS role and IS-business alignment profiles in that order.Research limitations/implications– Operational definitions of re-conceptualized ITBV benefits have been presented which may be operationalized into components.Practical implications– The re-conceptualization provides managers with an enhanced understanding of ITBV in line with the alignment of IS with business objectives and strategy and guides managers to develop customized ITBV measures.Originality/value– The study employs factor analyses to analyse the ITBV benefits. It proves that the changing face of IT, wherein it is looked at as a value creator, needs an all-encompassing and contemporary envisioning of ITBV benefits. It also suggests an advanced typology based on further insightful IS literature.