bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability of retained austenite in high carbon steel under compressive stress: an investigation from macro to nano scale
Authors: Hossain R. , Pahlevani F. , Quadir M. Z. , Sahajwalla V. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAlthough high carbon martensitic steels are well known for their industrial utility in high abrasion and extreme operating environments, due to their hardness and strength, the compressive stability of their retained austenite, and the implications for the steels’ performance and potential uses, is not well understood. This article describes the first investigation at both the macro and nano scale of the compressive stability of retained austenite in high carbon martensitic steel. Using a combination of standard compression testing, X-ray diffraction, optical microstructure, electron backscattering diffraction imaging, electron probe micro-analysis, nano-indentation and micro-indentation measurements, we determined the mechanical stability of retained austenite and martensite in high carbon steel under compressive stress and identified the phase transformation mechanism, from the macro to the nano level. We found at the early stage of plastic deformation hexagonal close-packed (HCP) martensite formation dominates, while higher compression loads trigger body-centred tetragonal (BCT) martensite formation. The combination of this phase transformation and strain hardening led to an increase in the hardness of high carbon steel of around 30%. This comprehensive characterisation of stress induced phase transformation could enable the precise control of the microstructures of high carbon martensitic steels, and hence their properties.
The chitin synthase FgChs2 and other FgChss co-regulate vegetative development and virulence in F. graminearum
Authors: Liu Zunyong , Zhang Xiaoping , Liu Xin , Fu Chaoyu , Han Xinyue , Yin Yanni , Ma Zhonghua 
Published: October 2016

AbstractFusarium graminearum contains eight chitin synthase (Chs) genes belonging to seven classes. Previous studies have found that deletion of FgChs3b is lethal to F. graminearum, and deletion of FgChs1, FgChs2, FgChs7 and FgChs5 caused diverse defects in chitin content, mycelial growth, conidiation, virulence or stress responses. However, little is known about the functional relationships among these FgChss. In this study, FgChs2 deletion mutant ΔFgChs2 exhibited reduced mycelial growth and virulence as reported previously. In addition, we found that the mutant produced thickened and “wavy” septa. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays showed that the expression levels of FgChs1, FgChs3a, FgChs4, FgChs7, FgChs5 and FgChs6 in ΔFgChs2 were significantly higher than those in the wild type. Therefore, we generated six double deletion mutants of FgChs2 and each of the above six FgChss, and found that FgChs2 shares a function with FgChs1 in regulating mycelial growth, and co-regulates conidiation with FgChs1, FgChs4, FgChs7 and FgChs5. Furthermore, FgChs2 and other six FgChss have overlapped functions in virulence, DON production and septum formation. Taken together, these results indicate that although each chitin synthase of F. graminearum plays certain roles, FgChss may co-regualte various cellular processes in F. graminearum.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of single-cell chromosome structure using recurrence plots
Authors: Hirata Yoshito , Oda Arisa , Ohta Kunihiro , Aihara Kazuyuki 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSingle-cell analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) chromosome structure can reveal cell-to-cell variability in genome activities. Here, we propose to apply recurrence plots, a mathematical method of nonlinear time series analysis, to reconstruct the 3D chromosome structure of a single cell based on information of chromosomal contacts from genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. This recurrence plot-based reconstruction (RPR) method enables rapid reconstruction of a unique structure in single cells, even from incomplete Hi-C information.
A Naturally Occurring Antibody Fragment Neutralizes Infectivity of Diverse Infectious Agents
Authors: Polonelli Luciano , Ciociola Tecla , Elviri Lisa , Zanello Pier Paolo , Giovati Laura , Arruda Denise C. , Muñoz Julián E. , Mortara Renato A. , Morace Giulia , Borghi Elisa , Galati Serena , Marin Oriano , Casoli Claudio , Pilotti Elisabetta , Ronzi Paola , Travassos Luiz R. , Magliani Walter , Conti Stefania 
Published: October 2016

AbstractA phosphorylated peptide, named K40H, derived from the constant region of IgMs was detected in human serum by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Synthetic K40H proved to exert a potent in vitro activity against fungal pathogens, and to inhibit HIV-1 replication in vitro and ex vivo. It also showed a therapeutic effect against an experimental infection by Candida albicans in the invertebrate model Galleria mellonella. K40H represents the proof of concept of the innate role that naturally occurring antibody fragments may exert against infectious agents, shedding a new light upon the posthumous role of antibodies and opening a new scenario on the multifaceted functionality of humoral immunity.
Cathelicidins in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Authors: Peel E. , Cheng Y. , Djordjevic J. T. , Fox S. , Sorrell T. C. , Belov K. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractTasmanian devil joeys, like other marsupials, are born at a very early stage of development, prior to the development of their adaptive immune system, yet survive in a pathogen-laden pouch and burrow. Antimicrobial peptides, called cathelicidins, which provide innate immune protection during early life, are expressed in the pouch lining, skin and milk of devil dams. These peptides are active against pathogens identified in the pouch microbiome. Of the six characterised cathelicidins, Saha-CATH5 and 6 have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and are capable of killing problematic human pathogens including methicillin-resistant S. aureus and vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis, while Saha-CATH3 is active against fungi. Saha-CATH5 and 6 were toxic to human A549 cells at 500 μg/mL, which is over seven times the concentration required to kill pathogens. The remaining devil cathelicidins were not active against tested bacterial or fungal strains, but are widely expressed throughout the body, such as in immune tissues, in digestive, respiratory and reproductive tracts, and in the milk and pouch, which indicates that they are likely also important components of the devil immune system. Our results suggest cathelicidins play a role in protecting naive young during pouch life by passive immune transfer in the milk and may modulate pouch microbe populations to reduce potential pathogens.
Multidimensional differentiation in foraging resource use during breeding of two sympatric top predators
Authors: Friedemann Guilad , Leshem Yossi , Kerem Lior , Shacham Boaz , Bar-Massada Avi , McClain Krystaal M. , Bohrer Gil , Izhaki Ido 
Published: October 2016

AbstractEcologically-similar species were found to develop specific strategies to partition their resources, leading to niche differentiation and divergence, in order to avoid interspecific competition. Our study determines multi-dimensional differentiation of two sympatric top-predators, long-legged buzzards (LLB) and short-toed eagles (STE), which recently became sympatric during their breeding season in the Judean Foothills, Israel. By combining information from comprehensive diet and movement analyses we found four dimensions of differentiation: (1) Geographic foraging area: LLB tended to forage relatively close to their nests (2.35 ± 0.62 km), while STE forage far from their nest (13.03 ± 2.20 km); (2) Foraging-habitat type: LLBs forage at low natural vegetation, avoiding cultivated fields, whereas STEs forage in cultivated fields, avoiding low natural vegetation; (3) Diurnal dynamics of foraging: LLBs are uniformly active during daytime, whereas STEs activity peaks in the early afternoon; and (4) Food-niche: while both species largely rely on reptiles (47.8% and 76.3% for LLB and STE, respectively), LLB had a more diverse diet and consumed significantly higher percentages of lizards, while STE consumed significantly higher percentages of snakes. Our results suggest that this multidimensional differentiation allows the spatial coexistence of these two dense populations in the study area.
Rate dependence of cell-to-cell variations of lithium-ion cells
Authors: An Fuqiang , Chen Lufan , Huang Jun , Zhang Jianbo , Li Ping 
Published: October 2016

AbstractLithium-ion cells are commonly used in a multicell configuration in power devices and electric vehicles, making the cell-to-cell variation (CtCV) a key factor to consider in system design and management. Previous studies on CtCV have two major limitations: the number of cells is usually less than one hundred, and the cells are usually commercial cells already subjected to cell-screenings. In this article, we first make a statistical analysis on the CtCV of 5473 fresh cells from an automotive battery manufacturer before the cell-screening process. Secondly, 198 cells are randomly selected from these 5473 cells and the rate dependence of the CtCV is examined, focusing on the correlations of capacity versus weight and capacity versus resistance, corresponding to thermodynamic and kinetic factors, respectively. The rate dependence of these two correlations is explained from a phenomenological model. Finally, eight cells from the 198 cells are further characterized with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method to elucidate the kinetic origins of the CtCV.
Regulatory T cells, especially ICOS+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, are increased in the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment and predict reduced survival
Authors: Tu Jian-Fei , Ding Ya-Hui , Ying Xi-Hui , Wu Fa-Zong , Zhou Xin-Mu , Zhang Deng-Ke , Zou Hai , Ji Jian-Song 
Published: October 2016

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumour, especially in Asia. Its prognosis is poor, and there are limited methods for predicting patient survival. This study was carried out to analyse the prognostic value of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), especially regulatory T cells (Tregs), in HCC patients. TILs were analysed in 57 randomly selected HCC patients. The prognostic effects of groups with high and low numbers were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier and Cox model analyses. Although higher densities of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) as well as CD56+ NK cells and CD68+ macrophages were observed in peritumoural tissue, increased numbers of forkhead/winged helix transcription factor P3+ (FOXP3+) Tregs were found in intratumoural tissue. Additionally, regarding ICOS+ FOXP3+ Tregs, an increased prevalence in carcinoma was not only associated with the absolute number but also with the percentage of FOXP3+ cells. Higher Treg levels in tumour tissues indicated a worse prognosis, and the FOXP3+ Tregs/CD4+ T cells ratio was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Therefore, FOXP3+ Tregs, especially ICOS+ FOXP3+ Tregs, contribute to the immunosuppressive HCC microenvironment. High tumour-infiltrating Tregs are thought to be an unfavourable prognostic indicator of HCC.
Ecosystem engineering creates a direct nutritional link between 600-m deep cold-water coral mounds and surface productivity
Authors: Soetaert Karline , Mohn Christian , Rengstorf Anna , Grehan Anthony , van Oevelen Dick 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCold-water corals (CWCs) form large mounds on the seafloor that are hotspots of biodiversity in the deep sea, but it remains enigmatic how CWCs can thrive in this food-limited environment. Here, we infer from model simulations that the interaction between tidal currents and CWC-formed mounds induces downwelling events of surface water that brings organic matter to 600-m deep CWCs. This positive feedback between CWC growth on carbonate mounds and enhanced food supply is essential for their sustenance in the deep sea and represents an example of ecosystem engineering of unparalleled magnitude. This ’topographically-enhanced carbon pump’ leaks organic matter that settles at greater depths. The ubiquitous presence of biogenic and geological topographies along ocean margins suggests that carbon sequestration through this pump is of global importance. These results indicate that enhanced stratification and lower surface productivity, both expected consequences of climate change, may negatively impact the energy balance of CWCs.
Dynamin 2 is essential for mammalian spermatogenesis
Authors: Redgrove Kate A. , Bernstein Ilana R. , Pye Victoria J. , Mihalas Bettina P. , Sutherland Jessie M. , Nixon Brett , McCluskey Adam , Robinson Phillip J. , Holt Janet E. , McLaughlin Eileen A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe dynamin family of proteins play important regulatory roles in membrane remodelling and endocytosis, especially within brain and neuronal tissues. In the context of reproduction, dynamin 1 (DNM1) and dynamin 2 (DNM2) have recently been shown to act as key mediators of sperm acrosome formation and function. However, little is known about the roles that these proteins play in the developing testicular germ cells. In this study, we employed a DNM2 germ cell-specific knockout model to investigate the role of DNM2 in spermatogenesis. We demonstrate that ablation of DNM2 in early spermatogenesis results in germ cell arrest during prophase I of meiosis, subsequent loss of all post-meiotic germ cells and concomitant sterility. These effects become exacerbated with age, and ultimately result in the demise of the spermatogonial stem cells and a Sertoli cell only phenotype. We also demonstrate that DNM2 activity may be temporally regulated by phosphorylation of DNM2 via the kinase CDK1 in spermatogonia, and dephosphorylation by phosphatase PPP3CA during meiotic and post-meiotic spermatogenesis.
Improved PEDOT:PSS/c-Si hybrid solar cell using inverted structure and effective passivation
Authors: Zhang Xisheng , Yang Dong , Yang Zhou , Guo Xiaojia , Liu Bin , Ren Xiaodong , Liu Shengzhong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe PEDOT:PSS is often used as the window layer in the normal structured PEDOT:PSS/c-Si hybrid solar cell (HSC), leading to significantly reduced response, especially in red and near-infrared region. By depositing the PEDOT:PSS on the rear side of the c-Si wafer, we developed an inverted structured HSC with much higher solar cell response in the red and near-infrared spectrum. Passivating the other side with hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) before electrode deposition, the minority carrier lifetime has been significantly increased and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the inverted HSC is improved to as high as 16.1% with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 634 mV, fill factor (FF) of 70.5%, and short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 36.2 mA cm−2, an improvement of 33% over the control device. The improvements are ascribed to inverted configuration and a-Si:H passivation, which can increase photon carrier generation and reduce carrier recombination, respectively. Both of them will benefit the photovoltaic performance and should be considered as effective design strategies to improve the performance of organic/c-Si HSCs.
Analysis of the brain mural cell transcriptome
Authors: He Liqun , Vanlandewijck Michael , Raschperger Elisabeth , Andaloussi Mäe Maarja , Jung Bongnam , Lebouvier Thibaud , Ando Koji , Hofmann Jennifer , Keller Annika , Betsholtz Christer 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPericytes, the mural cells of blood microvessels, regulate microvascular development and function and have been implicated in many brain diseases. However, due to a paucity of defining markers, pericyte identification and functional characterization remain ambiguous and data interpretation problematic. In mice carrying two transgenic reporters, Pdgfrb-eGFP and NG2-DsRed, we found that double-positive cells were vascular mural cells, while the single reporters marked additional, but non-overlapping, neuroglial cells. Double-positive cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and analyzed by RNA sequencing. To reveal defining patterns of mural cell transcripts, we compared the RNA sequencing data with data from four previously published studies. The meta-analysis provided a conservative catalogue of 260 brain mural cell-enriched gene transcripts. We validated pericyte-specific expression of two novel markers, vitronectin (Vtn) and interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (Ifitm1), using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. We further analyzed signaling pathways and interaction networks of the pericyte-enriched genes in silico. This work provides novel insight into the molecular composition of brain mural cells. The reported gene catalogue facilitates identification of brain pericytes by providing numerous new candidate marker genes and is a rich source for new hypotheses for future studies of brain mural cell physiology and pathophysiology.
Arabidopsis aldehyde dehydrogenase 10 family members confer salt tolerance through putrescine-derived 4-aminobutyrate (GABA) production
Authors: Zarei Adel , Trobacher Christopher P. , Shelp Barry J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPolyamines represent a potential source of 4-aminobutyrate (GABA) in plants exposed to abiotic stress. Terminal catabolism of putrescine in Arabidopsis thaliana involves amine oxidase and the production of 4-aminobutanal, which is a substrate for NAD+-dependent aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase (AMADH). Here, two AMADH homologs were chosen (AtALDH10A8 and AtALDH10A9) as candidates for encoding 4-aminobutanal dehydrogenase activity for GABA synthesis. The two genes were cloned and soluble recombinant proteins were produced in Escherichia coli. The pH optima for activity and catalytic efficiency of recombinant AtALDH10A8 with 3-aminopropanal as substrate was 10.5 and 8.5, respectively, whereas the optima for AtALDH10A9 were approximately 9.5. Maximal activity and catalytic efficiency were obtained with NAD+ and 3-aminopropanal, followed by 4-aminobutanal; negligible activity was obtained with betaine aldehyde. NAD+ reduction was accompanied by the production of GABA and β-alanine, respectively, with 4-aminobutanal and 3-aminopropanal as substrates. Transient co-expression systems using Arabidopsis cell suspension protoplasts or onion epidermal cells and several organelle markers revealed that AtALDH10A9 was peroxisomal, but AtALDH10A8 was cytosolic, although the N-terminal 140 amino acid sequence of AtALDH10A8 localized to the plastid. Root growth of single loss-of-function mutants was more sensitive to salinity than wild-type plants, and this was accompanied by reduced GABA accumulation.
The relationship between the dislocations and microstructure in In0.82Ga0.18As/InP heterostructures
Authors: Zhao Liang , Guo Zuoxing , Wei Qiulin , Miao Guoqing , Zhao Lei 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn this work, we propose a formation mechanism to explain the relationship between the surface morphology (and microstructure) and dislocations in the In0.82Ga0.18As/InP heterostructure. The In0.82Ga0.18As epitaxial layers were grown on the InP (100) substrate at various temperatures (430 °C, 410 °C and 390 °C) using low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (LP-MOCVD). Obvious protrusions and depressions were obseved on the surface of the In0.82Ga0.18As/InP heterostructure because of the movement of dislocations from the core to the surface. The surface morphologies of the In0.82Ga0.18As/InP (100) system became uneven with increasing temperature, which was associated with the formation of dislocations. Such research investigating the dislocation of large lattice mismatch heterostructures may play an important role in the future-design of semiconductor films.
Microenvironments created by liquid-liquid phase transition control the dynamic distribution of bacterial division FtsZ protein
Authors: Monterroso Begoña , Zorrilla Silvia , Sobrinos-Sanguino Marta , Keating Christine D. , Rivas Germán 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe influence of membrane-free microcompartments resulting from crowding-induced liquid/liquid phase separation (LLPS) on the dynamic spatial organization of FtsZ, the main component of the bacterial division machinery, has been studied using several LLPS systems. The GTP-dependent assembly cycle of FtsZ is thought to be crucial for the formation of the septal ring, which is highly regulated in time and space. We found that FtsZ accumulates in one of the phases and/or at the interface, depending on the system composition and on the oligomerization state of the protein. These results were observed both in bulk LLPS and in lipid-stabilized, phase-separated aqueous microdroplets. The visualization of the droplets revealed that both the location and structural arrangement of FtsZ filaments is determined by the nature of the LLPS. Relocation upon depolymerization of the dynamic filaments suggests the protein may shift among microenvironments in response to changes in its association state. The existence of these dynamic compartments driven by phase transitions can alter the local composition and reactivity of FtsZ during its life cycle acting as a nonspecific modulating factor of cell function.
Growth in Nephrops norvegicus from a tag-recapture experiment
Authors: Haynes Paula S. , Browne Patricia , Fullbrook Liam , Graham Conor T. , Hancox Lee , Johnson Mark P. , Lauria Valentina , Power Anne Marie 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNephrops norvegicus is a commercially valuable fishery in the EU but management of stocks is challenging due to difficulties in aging individuals and calculating growth and biomass production. Growth of N. norvegicus was estimated by releasing 1177 tagged individuals in western Ireland in Summer 2013 and recapturing these in 2014 (n = 207, an average of 344 days later) and 2015 (n = 38, 654–665 days later). Moulting occurred twice per year in approximately half of the males and only once in females. Mean growth increments after approximately one year were 5.1 mm Carapace Length (CL) in males and 1.4 mm CL in females. After two years, males had grown by 12.0 mm CL and females by 4.6 mm CL, on average, across size classes. Low variation in growth increments was seen across female size classes, but significantly lower growth was observed in larger males, meeting an important assumption of the Von Bertalanffy Growth Function. Asymptotic carapace lengths were 70.8 mm (males) and 55.2 mm (females) with respective growth constants (k) of 0.161 yr−1 and 0.077 yr−1. The results suggest that this is a very productive fishery and that survivability of returns from creel fishing is high.
Stretchable Triboelectric Fiber for Self-powered Kinematic Sensing Textile
Authors: Sim Hyeon Jun , Choi Changsoon , Kim Shi Hyeong , Kim Kang Min , Lee Chang Jun , Kim Youn Tae , Lepró Xavier , Baughman Ray H. , Kim Seon Jeong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractStretchable fiber and yarn triboelectric nanogenerator are sought for such applications as wearable sensing system such as cloth communication devices, electronic textiles, and robotic sensory skin. Unfortunately, previously reported triboelectric fiber and yarn are difficult to have stretchable property. We introduce here a new type of stretchable and weavable triboelectric fibers with microdiameter dimensions. The stretchable triboelectric fibers can be reversibly stretched up to 50% in tensile direction while generating voltage output proportional to the applied tensile strain. The reversible distance change induced by the Poisson’s ratio difference between the core fiber (silver-coated nylon/polyurethane) and the shell (wrinkled polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene/carbon nanotube layer) during tensile deformation is the key working principle for electrical generation. Owing to exceptional structural stability, the stretchable triboelectric fibers show high performance retention after 10,000 times repeated stretching/releasing cycle. Furthermore, the stretchable triboelectric fibers are mechanically strong to be woven into a commercial textile for textile based sensors, which can detect magnitude as well as direction of the motion.