bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Variation Code Accounts for the Perceived Roughness of Coarsely Textured Surfaces
Authors: Goodman James M. , Bensmaia Sliman J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFor decades, the dominant theory of roughness coding in the somatosensory nerves posited that perceived roughness was determined by the spatial pattern of activation in one population of tactile nerve fibers, namely slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) afferents. Indeed, the perceived roughness of coarsely textured surfaces tracks the spatial variation in SA1 responses – the degree to which response strength varies across SA1 afferents. However, in a later study, the roughness of a different set of dot patterns was found to be a monotonic function of dot spacing, a result interpreted as evidence that roughness was determined by the strength of SA1 responses – the population firing rate – rather than their spatial layout. Then again, the spatial variation hypothesis was not tested directly as afferent responses to the conflicting patterns were not measured. To fill this gap, we simulated afferent responses to the dot patterns used in these roughness coding experiments using a model of skin mechanics. We then implemented the spatial variation and firing rate models of roughness based on these simulated responses to generate predictions of perceived roughness. We found that the spatial variation model accounts for perceived roughness under all tested conditions whereas the firing rate model does not.
Ionizing radiation abrogates the pro-tumorigenic capacity of cancer-associated fibroblasts co-implanted in xenografts
Authors: Grinde Maria Tunset , Vik Jørg , Camilio Ketil André , Martinez-Zubiaurre Inigo , Hellevik Turid 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundantly present in solid tumors and affect tumorigenesis and therapeutic responses. In the context of clinical radiotherapy, the impact of irradiated CAFs to treatment outcomes is largely unexplored. Aiming at improving radiotherapy efficacy, we have here explored the effect of radiation on the inherent pro-tumorigenic capacity of CAFs in animals. Ionizing radiation was delivered to cultured CAFs as single-high or fractionated doses. Tumor development was compared in mice receiving A549 lung tumor cells admixed with irradiated or control CAFs. Biological mechanisms behind tumor growth regulation were investigated by quantitative histology and immunohistochemistry. Viability assessments confirmed that irradiated CAFs are fully functional prior to implantation. However, the enhanced tumorigenic effect observed in tumors co-implanted with control CAFs was abrogated in tumors established with irradiated CAFs. Experiments to ascertain fate of implanted fibroblasts showed that exogenously administered CAFs reside at the implantation site for few days, suggesting that tumor growth regulation from admixed CAFs take place during initial tumor formation. Our work demonstrate that irradiated CAFs lose their pro-tumorigenic potential in vivo, affecting angiogenesis and tumor engraftment. This finding propose a previously unknown advantageous effect induced by radiotherapy, adding to the direct cytotoxic effects on transformed epithelial cells.
Size and shape variations of the bony components of sperm whale cochleae
Authors: Schnitzler Joseph G. , Frédérich Bruno , Früchtnicht Sven , Schaffeld Tobias , Baltzer Johannes , Ruser Andreas , Siebert Ursula 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSeveral mass strandings of sperm whales occurred in the North Sea during January and February 2016. Twelve animals were necropsied and sampled around 48 h after their discovery on German coasts of Schleswig Holstein. The present study aims to explore the morphological variation of the primary sensory organ of sperm whales, the left and right auditory system, using high-resolution computerised tomography imaging. We performed a quantitative analysis of size and shape of cochleae using landmark-based geometric morphometrics to reveal inter-individual anatomical variations. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on thirty-one external morphometric characters classified these 12 individuals in two stranding clusters. A relative amount of shape variation could be attributable to geographical differences among stranding locations and clusters. Our geometric data allowed the discrimination of distinct bachelor schools among sperm whales that stranded on German coasts. We argue that the cochleae are individually shaped, varying greatly in dimensions and that the intra-specific variation observed in the morphology of the cochleae may partially reflect their affiliation to their bachelor school. There are increasing concerns about the impact of noise on cetaceans and describing the auditory periphery of odontocetes is a key conservation issue to further assess the effect of noise pollution.
Toward surface orbitronics: giant orbital magnetism from the orbital Rashba effect at the surface of sp-metals
Authors: Go Dongwook , Hanke Jan-Philipp , Buhl Patrick M. , Freimuth Frank , Bihlmayer Gustav , Lee Hyun-Woo , Mokrousov Yuriy , Blügel Stefan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAs the inversion symmetry is broken at a surface, spin-orbit interaction gives rise to spin-dependent energy shifts – a phenomenon which is known as the spin Rashba effect. Recently, it has been recognized that an orbital counterpart of the spin Rashba effect – the orbital Rashba effect – can be realized at surfaces even without spin-orbit coupling. Here, we propose a mechanism for the orbital Rashba effect based on sp orbital hybridization, which ultimately leads to the electric polarization of surface states. For the experimentally well-studied system of a BiAg2 monolayer, as a proof of principle, we show from first principles that this effect leads to chiral orbital textures in k-space. In predicting the magnitude of the orbital moment arising from the orbital Rashba effect, we demonstrate the crucial role played by the Berry phase theory for the magnitude and variation of the orbital textures. As a result, we predict a pronounced manifestation of various orbital effects at surfaces, and proclaim the orbital Rashba effect to be a key platform for surface orbitronics.
Sorption of Nickel(II) on a Calcareous Aridisol Soil, China: Batch, XPS, and EXAFS Spectroscopic Investigations
Authors: Qiang Shirong , Han Bin , Zhao Xiaolan , Yang Yunbo , Shao Dadong , Li Ping , Liang Jianjun , Fan Qiaohui 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe sorption of Ni(II) on a calcareous aridisol (CA) soil, one of the major soil types in northwestern China, was investigated using batch and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) approaches in a 0.01 mol/L NaClO4 solution at different pH values (6.0–10.0), temperatures (25–60 °C) and contact times (2–15 days). Under alkaline conditions, EXAFS analysis showed that the interatomic distances between Ni and O atoms (RNi-O) were approximately 2.04 Å with a typical coordination number (CN) of ~6.0 O atoms in the contact time range from 2 to 15 days. The RNi-Ni (~3.07 Å) suggested that the structure of the Ni(II) adsorbed on the CA soil was basically the same as that of Ni(OH)2(s), while the Ni-Al shell (RNi-Al ~3.16 Å) gradually formed and grew with the increasing contact time. Under weakly acidic conditions, the sorption mechanism of Ni(II) on the CA soil possibly included at least two processes: (i) a fast accumulation dominated by ion exchange and surface complexation and (ii) the formation of a Ni-Al LDH phase over the long term. A high temperature is beneficial to the fixation of Ni(II) on the CA soil and the formation of a Ni-Al LDH.
Identifying N6-methyladenosine sites using multi-interval nucleotide pair position specificity and support vector machine
Authors: Xing Pengwei , Su Ran , Guo Fei , Wei Leyi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractN6-methyladenosine (m6A) refers to methylation of the adenosine nucleotide acid at the nitrogen-6 position. It plays an important role in a series of biological processes, such as splicing events, mRNA exporting, nascent mRNA synthesis, nuclear translocation and translation process. Numerous experiments have been done to successfully characterize m6A sites within sequences since high-resolution mapping of m6A sites was established. However, as the explosive growth of genomic sequences, using experimental methods to identify m6A sites are time-consuming and expensive. Thus, it is highly desirable to develop fast and accurate computational identification methods. In this study, we propose a sequence-based predictor called RAM-NPPS for identifying m6A sites within RNA sequences, in which we present a novel feature representation algorithm based on multi-interval nucleotide pair position specificity, and use support vector machine classifier to construct the prediction model. Comparison results show that our proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art predictors on three benchmark datasets across the three species, indicating the effectiveness and robustness of our method. Moreover, an online webserver implementing the proposed predictor has been established at http://server.malab.cn/RAM-NPPS/. It is anticipated to be a useful prediction tool to assist biologists to reveal the mechanisms of m6A site functions.
Polyamorphism in Yb-based metallic glass induced by pressure
Authors: Li Liangliang , Luo Qiang , Li Renfeng , Zhao Haiyan , Chapman Karena W. , Chupas Peter J. , Wang Luhong , Liu Haozhe 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe Yb62.5Zn15Mg17.5Cu5 metallic glass is investigated using synchrotron x-ray total scattering method up to 38.4 GPa. The polyamorphic transformation from low density to high density with a transition region between 14.1 and 25.2 GPa is observed, accompanying with a volume collapse reflected by a discontinuousness of isothermal bulk modulus. This collapse is caused by that distortional icosahedron short range order precedes to perfect icosahedron, which might link to Yb 4f electron delocalization upon compression, and match the result of in situ electrical resistance measurement under high pressure conditions. This discovery in Yb-based metallic glass, combined with the previous reports on other metallic glass systems, demonstrates that pressure induced polyamorphism is the general behavior for typical lanthanide based metallic glasses.
The environmental yeast Cryptococcus liquefaciens produces capsular and secreted polysaccharides with similar pathogenic properties to those of C. neoformans
Authors: Araújo Glauber R. de S. , Freitas Gustavo J. C. , Fonseca Fernanda L. , Leite Paulo Emilio C. , Rocha Gustavo Miranda , de Souza Wanderley , Santos Daniel A. , Frases Susana 
Published: April 2017

AbstractInvasive fungal infections, including cryptococcosis, are a growing threat to immunocompromised patients. AlthoughCryptococcus neoformansandCryptococcus gattiiare the main agents of human cryptococcosis, opportunistic infections by environmental species, such asC. liquefaciens, have been observed recently. The mainCryptococcusvirulence factor is the production and secretion of polysaccharides (PS). Previously, we showed that both species produce PS of similar composition. Here, we examined the ultrastructure and biological activity of capsular and secreted PS fromC. liquefaciens, and yeast pathogenicity to an invertebrate host, in comparison withC. neoformans. Ultrastructural analysis by high-resolution microscopy showed that both species produce large and complex capsules. PS from both species had indistinguishable effects on phagocytosis levels, NO production and the secretion of a variety of immune mediators. Challenge withC. liquefaciensorC. neoformansled to complete lethality ofG. mellonellalarvae. Treatment withC. liquefaciensPS could not protect mice against infection withC. neoformans. We conclude that polysaccharides of the environmental yeastC. liquefacienshave strikingly similar ultrastructural and biological properties to those ofC. neoformans, highlighting the importance of monitoring the emergence of new fungal pathogens for which thermotolerance may be an important transitional step towards pathogenesis in humans.
Effects of dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonism on human planning and spatial working memory
Authors: Naef M , Müller U , Linssen A , Clark L , Robbins T W , Eisenegger C 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPsychopharmacological studies in humans suggest important roles for dopamine (DA) D2 receptors in human executive functions, such as cognitive planning and spatial working memory (SWM). However, studies that investigate an impairment of such functions using the selective DA D2/3 receptor antagonist sulpiride have yielded inconsistent results, perhaps because relatively low doses were used. We believe we report for the first time, the effects of a higher (800 mg p.o.) single dose of sulpiride as well as of genetic variation in the DA receptor D2 gene (DA receptor D2 Taq1A polymorphism), on planning and working memory. With 78 healthy male volunteers, we apply a between-groups, placebo-controlled design. We measure outcomes in the difficult versions of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery One-Touch Stockings of Cambridge and the self-ordered SWM task. Volunteers in the sulpiride group showed significant impairments in planning accuracy and, for the more difficult problems, in SWM. Sulpiride administration speeded response latencies in the planning task on the most difficult problems. Volunteers with at least one copy of the minor allele (A1+) of the DA receptor D2 Taq1A polymorphism showed better SWM capacity, regardless of whether they received sulpiride or placebo. There were no effects on blood pressure, heart rate or subjective sedation. In sum, a higher single dose of sulpiride impairs SWM and executive planning functions, in a manner independent of the DA receptor D2 Taq1A polymorphism.
Low‐cost two‐layer terahertz transmit array
Authors: Yi Huan , Qu Shi‐Wei , Chan Chi Hou 
Published: April 2017

In this Letter, a flat terahertz (THz) transmit array with a two‐layer element is investigated. The proposed element can provide 360° phase coverage with a transmission coefficient better than −3.52 dB at 250 GHz. Then a transmit array based on the element is designed with a low focal‐to‐diameter ratio of 0.3. Simulation results reveal that the transmit array has large backward radiation. A WR‐03 open‐ended waveguide with a thick wall is used to feed the transmit array, thus the backward radiation is further reflected to the forward direction and the gain is increased by 1.7 dB at 250 GHz. Then the transmit array is fabricated using standard, low‐cost PCB technology, and the measured results show that a peak gain of 28.8 dBi with an aperture efficiency of 32% is achieved. In general, the proposed transmit array has simple structures and can be fabricated by standard PCB technologies which are suitable for applications in low‐cost THz systems.
Continuous flow synthesis of monodisperse gold nanoparticles by liquid‐phase reduction method on glass microfluidic device
Authors: Yagyu Hiromasa , Tanabe Yu , Takano Satoru , Hamamoto Mao 
Published: April 2017

Monodisperse gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in aqueous dispersion were synthesised using a low‐cost glass microfluidic device with a Y‐shaped microchannel. The effects of channel width and flow rate on the size distribution of the synthesised GNPs were investigated. An aqueous solution of tetrachloroauric (III) acid (source of Au ions), and a mixture of an aqueous solution of sodium citrate acid (reducing agent) and tannic acid (protective agent), were injected into a microchannel in the microfluidic device by using a syringe pump. The absorption spectra at low flow rates showed sharper peaks in comparison with those at high flow rates. At the channel width of 260 μm, the full width at half maximum of the absorption peak was 79.2 nm for 0.05 ml/min and 92.9 nm for 0.06 ml/min. From transmission electron microscopy images, the GNPs synthesised using a channel width of 260 μm and flow rate of 0.05 ml/min were found to have a mean diameter of 11.5 nm and coefficient of variation of 0.09. These results confirmed that the combination of a low‐flow rate and a small channel width is essential to obtain monodisperse GNPs.
Understanding the environment around the intermediate mass black hole candidate ESO 243-49 HLX-1
Authors: Webb N. A. , Guérou A. , Ciambur B. , Detoeuf A. , Coriat M. , Godet O. , Barret D. , Combes F. , Contini T. , Graham Alister W. , Maccarone T. J. , Mrkalj M. , Servillat M. , Schroetter I. , Wiersema K. 
Published: April 2017

Aims. ESO 243-49 HLX-1, otherwise known as HLX-1, is an intermediate mass black hole (IMBH) candidate located 8′′ (3.7 Kpc) from the centre of the edge-on S0 galaxy ESO 243-49. How the black hole came to be associated with this galaxy, and the nature of the environment in which it resides, remain unclear. Using multi-wavelength observations we aim to investigate the nature of the medium surrounding HLX-1, search for evidence of past mergers with ESO 243-49 and constrain parameters of the galaxy, including the mass of the expected central supermassive black hole, essential for future modelling of the interaction of the IMBH and ESO 243-49.
Methods. We have reduced and analysed integral field unit observations of ESO 243-49 that were taken with the MUSE instrument on the VLT. Using complementary multi-wavelength data, including X-shooter, HST, Swift, Chandra and ATCA data, we have further examined the vicinity of HLX-1. We additionally examined the nature of the host galaxy and estimate the mass of the central supermassive black hole in ESO 243-49 using (black hole mass)–(host spheroid) scaling relations and the fundamental plane of black hole activity.
Results. No evidence for a recent minor-merger that could result in the presence of the IMBH is discerned, but the data are compatible with a scenario in which minor mergers may have occurred in the history of ESO 243-49. The MUSE data reveal a rapidly rotating disc in the centre of the galaxy, around the supermassive black hole. The mass of the supermassive black hole at the centre of ESO 243-49 is estimated to be 0.5−23 × 107M⊙. Studying the spectra of HLX-1, that were taken in the low and hard state, we determine Hα flux variability to be at least a factor 6, compared to observations taken during the high and soft state. This Hα flux variability over one year indicates that the line originates close to the intermediate mass black hole, excluding the possibility that the line emanates from a surrounding nebula or a star cluster. The large variability associated with the X-ray states of HLX-1 confirms that the Hα line is associated with the object and therefore validates the distance to HLX-1.
Recent Advances in Piperazine Synthesis
Authors: Gettys Kristen , Ye Zhishi , Dai Mingji 
Published: April 2017

Piperazine ranks as the third most common N-heterocycle appearing in small-molecule pharmaceuticals. This review highlights recent advances in methods development for the construction of the piperazine­ ring system with particular emphasis on preparing carbon-substituted piperazines.1	Introduction2	Reduction of (Di)ketopiperazine3	N-Alkylation4	Transition-Metal-Catalyzed/Mediated Piperazine Synthesis4.1	The SnAP and SLAP Methods4.2	Palladium-Catalyzed Cyclization4.3	Gold-Catalyzed Cyclization4.4	Other Metal-Catalyzed/Mediated Cyclization4.5	Borrowing Hydrogen Strategy4.6	Imine Reductive Cyclization5	Reduction of Pyrazines6	Miscellaneous7	Conclusion
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) – a Challenge for the Addiction Treatment Services
Authors: Scherbaum Norbert , Schifano F. , Bonnet Udo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOver the last few years, hundreds of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have been identified in Europe. Apart from some herbal compounds, NPS mainly include synthetic cannabinoids and a range of new synthetic stimulants (e. g., cathinones). Synthetic NPS are often developed whilst modifying the basic chemical (e. g., phenethylamine or tryptamine) structure. Although the pharmacology and toxicology of most NPS are hardly known, they are being offered, especially online, as “bath salts,” as “incense mixtures,” or under other misleading labels. In addition, NPS are advertised as “legal highs,” suggesting that, in contrast to substances regulated by the national laws, trading with NPS is legal. Although only little is known about the prevalence of NPS use, some of these molecules may be associated with a range of severe adverse reactions. Indeed, different from cannabis, synthetic cannabinoid users may present with epileptic seizures, loss of consciousness, and a range of persisting psychopathological disorders. Future studies should inform better-tailored management strategies.
Transcriptional Coactivator p300 and Silent Information Regulator 1 (SIRT1) Gene Polymorphism Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease in a Chinese Cohort
Authors: Tang Kang , Sun Mingfang , Shen Jing , Zhou Bo 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
One of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus, which could lead to end-stage renal disease across all demographics, is ‘diabetic kidney disease’. However, how diabetic kidney disease develops remains unclear. Studies conducted thus far suggest that a major factor in the origination and development of the disease occurs through histone acetylation modifications. This study aims to examine the probable relationship in Chinese patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.
A case–control study was conducted in the Chongqing region of China on the Chinese Han population. Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected between March 2014 and Dec 2014 from the Department of Endocrinology, which is the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. TaqMan probes were employed to perform an allelic discrimination assay for genotyping p300 and the SIRT1 (Silent Information Regulator 1) polymorphism. The risk factors diabetic kidney disease were determined by statistical analysis.
The dispersion of the p300 genotype frequencies and SIRT1 gene polymorphism adheres to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The DKD group had a greater allele G frequency distribution, and allele G patients have a higher probability of diabetic kidney disease. Female patients, patients younger than 65 years of age, and those with the AG or GG genotype are more likely to develop diabetic kidney disease than patients with the AA phenotype. Patients with the AG or GG genotype are more likely to suffer from a severe diabetic kidney disease than patients with the AA genotype, particularly if the patients are older than 65 years of age. The SIRT1 rs4746720 allele C is a risk factor for urinary Alb/Cr. Allele G and the TC genotype patients are more likely to develop diabetic kidney disease, while allele G and TT genotype patients are more likely develop a severe diabetic kidney disease.
Transcriptional coactivator p300 gene polymorphism correlates with the development and advancement of diabetic kidney disease. Additionally, the SIRT1 gene collaborates with the p300 gene and participates in promoting albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.