bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rational design of efficient electrode–electrolyte interfaces for solid-state energy storage using ion soft landing
Authors: Prabhakaran Venkateshkumar , Mehdi B. Layla , Ditto Jeffrey J. , Engelhard Mark H. , Wang Bingbing , Gunaratne K. Don D. , Johnson David C. , Browning Nigel D. , Johnson Grant E. , Laskin Julia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe rational design of improved electrode–electrolyte interfaces (EEI) for energy storage is critically dependent on a molecular-level understanding of ionic interactions and nanoscale phenomena. The presence of non-redox active species at EEI has been shown to strongly influence Faradaic efficiency and long-term operational stability during energy storage processes. Herein, we achieve substantially higher performance and long-term stability of EEI prepared with highly dispersed discrete redox-active cluster anions (50 ng of pure ∼0.75 nm size molybdenum polyoxometalate (POM) anions on 25 μg (∼0.2 wt%) carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes) by complete elimination of strongly coordinating non-redox species through ion soft landing (SL). Electron microscopy provides atomically resolved images of a uniform distribution of individual POM species soft landed directly on complex technologically relevant CNT electrodes. In this context, SL is established as a versatile approach for the controlled design of novel surfaces for both fundamental and applied research in energy storage.
Broadband mode conversion via gradient index metamaterials
Authors: Wang HaiXiao , Xu YaDong , Genevet Patrice , Jiang Jian-Hua , Chen HuanYang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe propose a design for broadband waveguide mode conversion based on gradient index metamaterials (GIMs). Numerical simulations demonstrate that the zeroth order of transverse magnetic mode or the first order of transverse electric mode (TM0/TE1) can be converted into the first order of transverse magnetic mode or the second order of transverse electric mode (TM1/TE2) for a broadband of frequencies. As an application, an asymmetric propagation is achieved by integrating zero index metamaterials inside the GIM waveguide.
Automated microfluidic platform of bead-based electrochemical immunosensor integrated with bioreactor for continual monitoring of cell secreted biomarkers
Authors: Riahi Reza , Shaegh Seyed Ali Mousavi , Ghaderi Masoumeh , Zhang Yu Shrike , Shin Su Ryon , Aleman Julio , Massa Solange , Kim Duckjin , Dokmeci Mehmet Remzi , Khademhosseini Ali 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThere is an increasing interest in developing microfluidic bioreactors and organs-on-a-chip platforms combined with sensing capabilities for continual monitoring of cell-secreted biomarkers. Conventional approaches such as ELISA and mass spectroscopy cannot satisfy the needs of continual monitoring as they are labor-intensive and not easily integrable with low-volume bioreactors. This paper reports on the development of an automated microfluidic bead-based electrochemical immunosensor for in-line measurement of cell-secreted biomarkers. For the operation of the multi-use immunosensor, disposable magnetic microbeads were used to immobilize biomarker-recognition molecules. Microvalves were further integrated in the microfluidic immunosensor chip to achieve programmable operations of the immunoassay including bead loading and unloading, binding, washing, and electrochemical sensing. The platform allowed convenient integration of the immunosensor with liver-on-chips to carry out continual quantification of biomarkers secreted from hepatocytes. Transferrin and albumin productions were monitored during a 5-day hepatotoxicity assessment in which human primary hepatocytes cultured in the bioreactor were treated with acetaminophen. Taken together, our unique microfluidic immunosensor provides a new platform for in-line detection of biomarkers in low volumes and long-term in vitro assessments of cellular functions in microfluidic bioreactors and organs-on-chips.
Invasion characteristics of a Plasmodium knowlesi line newly isolated from a human
Authors: Amir Amirah , Russell Bruce , Liew Jonathan Wee Kent , Moon Robert W. , Fong Mun Yik , Vythilingam Indra , Subramaniam Vellayan , Snounou Georges , Lau Yee Ling 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPlasmodium knowlesi is extensively used as an important malaria model and is now recognized as an important cause of human malaria in Malaysia. The strains of P. knowlesi currently used for research were isolated many decades ago, raising concerns that they might no longer be representative of contemporary parasite populations. We derived a new P. knowlesi line (University Malaya line, UM01), from a patient admitted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and compared it with a human-adapted laboratory line (A1-H.1) derived from the P. knowlesi H strain. The UM01 and A1-H.1 lines readily invade human and macaque (Macaca fascicularis) normocytes with a preference for reticulocytes. Whereas invasion of human red blood cells was dependent on the presence of the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC) for both parasite lines, this was not the case for macaque red blood cells. Nonetheless, differences in invasion efficiency, gametocyte production and the length of the asexual cycle were noted between the two lines. It would be judicious to isolate and characterise numerous P. knowlesi lines for use in future experimental investigations of this zoonotic species.
Perturbed rhythmic activation of signaling pathways in mice deficient for Sterol Carrier Protein 2-dependent diurnal lipid transport and metabolism
Authors: Jouffe Céline , Gobet Cédric , Martin Eva , Métairon Sylviane , Morin-Rivron Delphine , Masoodi Mojgan , Gachon Frédéric 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThrough evolution, most of the living species have acquired a time keeping system to anticipate daily changes caused by the rotation of the Earth. In all of the systems this pacemaker is based on a molecular transcriptional/translational negative feedback loop able to generate rhythmic gene expression with a period close to 24 hours. Recent evidences suggest that post-transcriptional regulations activated mostly by systemic cues play a fundamental role in the process, fine tuning the time keeping system and linking it to animal physiology. Among these signals, we consider the role of lipid transport and metabolism regulated by SCP2. Mice harboring a deletion of theScp2 locus present a modulated diurnal accumulation of lipids in the liver and a perturbed activation of several signaling pathways including PPARα, SREBP, LRH-1, TORC1 and its upstream regulators. This defect in signaling pathways activation feedbacks upon the clock by lengthening the circadian period of animals through post-translational regulation of core clock regulators, showing that rhythmic lipid transport is a major player in the establishment of rhythmic mRNA and protein expression landscape.
Induction of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocyte Proliferation Revealed by Combinatorial Screening in High Density Microbioreactor Arrays
Authors: Titmarsh Drew M. , Glass Nick R. , Mills Richard J. , Hidalgo Alejandro , Wolvetang Ernst J. , Porrello Enzo R. , Hudson James E. , Cooper-White Justin J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInducing cardiomyocyte proliferation in post-mitotic adult heart tissue is attracting significant attention as a therapeutic strategy to regenerate the heart after injury. Model animal screens have identified several candidate signalling pathways, however, it remains unclear as to what extent these pathways can be exploited, either individually or in combination, in the human system. The advent of human cardiac cells from directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) now provides the ability to interrogate human cardiac biology in vitro, but it remains difficult with existing culture formats to simply and rapidly elucidate signalling pathway penetrance and interplay. To facilitate high-throughput combinatorial screening of candidate biologicals or factors driving relevant molecular pathways, we developed a high-density microbioreactor array (HDMA) – a microfluidic cell culture array containing 8100 culture chambers. We used HDMAs to combinatorially screen Wnt, Hedgehog, IGF and FGF pathway agonists. The Wnt activator CHIR99021 was identified as the most potent molecular inducer of human cardiomyocyte proliferation, inducing cell cycle activity marked by Ki67, and an increase in cardiomyocyte numbers compared to controls. The combination of human cardiomyocytes with the HDMA provides a versatile and rapid tool for stratifying combinations of factors for heart regeneration.
Sparsity-Based Pixel Super Resolution for Lens-Free Digital In-line Holography
Authors: Song Jun , Leon Swisher Christine , Im Hyungsoon , Jeong Sangmoo , Pathania Divya , Iwamoto Yoshiko , Pivovarov Misha , Weissleder Ralph , Lee Hakho 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLens-free digital in-line holography (LDIH) is a promising technology for portable, wide field-of-view imaging. Its resolution, however, is limited by the inherent pixel size of an imaging device. Here we present a new computational approach to achieve sub-pixel resolution for LDIH. The developed method is a sparsity-based reconstruction with the capability to handle the non-linear nature of LDIH. We systematically characterized the algorithm through simulation and LDIH imaging studies. The method achieved the spatial resolution down to one-third of the pixel size, while requiring only single-frame imaging without any hardware modifications. This new approach can be used as a general framework to enhance the resolution in nonlinear holographic systems.
New mechanism of kinetic exchange interaction induced by strong magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Iwahara Naoya , Chibotaru Liviu F. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIt is well known that the kinetic exchange interaction between single-occupied magnetic orbitals (s-s) is always antiferromagnetic, while between single- and double-occupied orbitals (s-d) is always ferromagnetic and much weaker. Here we show that the exchange interaction between strongly anisotropic doublets of lanthanides, actinides and transition metal ions with unquenched orbital momentum contains a new s-d kinetic contribution equal in strength with the s-s one. In non-collinear magnetic systems, this s-d kinetic mechanism can cause an overall ferromagnetic exchange interaction which can become very strong for transition metal ions. These findings are fully confirmed by DFT based analysis of exchange interaction in several Ln3+ complexes.
Anxiety promotes memory for mood-congruent faces but does not alter loss aversion
Authors: Charpentier Caroline J. , Hindocha Chandni , Roiser Jonathan P. , Robinson Oliver J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPathological anxiety is associated with disrupted cognitive processing, including working memory and decision-making. In healthy individuals, experimentally-induced state anxiety or high trait anxiety often results in the deployment of adaptive harm-avoidant behaviours. However, how these processes affect cognition is largely unknown. To investigate this question, we implemented a translational within-subjects anxiety induction, threat of shock, in healthy participants reporting a wide range of trait anxiety scores. Participants completed a gambling task, embedded within an emotional working memory task, with some blocks under unpredictable threat and others safe from shock. Relative to the safe condition, threat of shock improved recall of threat-congruent (fearful) face location, especially in highly trait anxious participants. This suggests that threat boosts working memory for mood-congruent stimuli in vulnerable individuals, mirroring memory biases in clinical anxiety. By contrast, Bayesian analysis indicated that gambling decisions were better explained by models that did not include threat or treat anxiety, suggesting that: (i) higher-level executive functions are robust to these anxiety manipulations; and (ii) decreased risk-taking may be specific to pathological anxiety. These findings provide insight into the complex interactions between trait anxiety, acute state anxiety and cognition, and may help understand the cognitive mechanisms underlying adaptive anxiety.
Human wild-type full-length tau accumulation disrupts mitochondrial dynamics and the functions via increasing mitofusins
Authors: Li Xia-Chun , Hu Yu , Wang Zhi-hao , Luo Yu , Zhang Yao , Liu Xiu-Ping , Feng Qiong , Wang Qun , Ye Keqiang , Liu Gong-Ping , Wang Jian-Zhi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIntracellular accumulation of tau protein is hallmark of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), however, the cellular mechanism whereby tau accumulation causes neurodegeneration is poorly understood. Here we report that overexpression of human wild-type full-length tau (termed htau) disrupted mitochondrial dynamics by enhancing fusion and induced their perinuclear accumulation in HEK293 cells and rat primary hippocampal neurons. The htau accumulation at later stage inhibited mitochondrial functions shown by the decreased ATP level, the ratio of ATP/ADP and complex I activity. Simultaneously, the cell viability was decreased with retraction of the cellular/neuronal processes. Further studies demonstrated that htau accumulation increased fusion proteins, including OPA1 and mitofusins (Mfn1, Mfn2) and reduced the ubiquitination of Mfn2. Downregulation of the mitofusins by shRNA to ~45% or ~52% of the control levels attenuated the htau-enhanced mitochondrial fusion and restored the functions, while downregulation of OPA1 to ~50% of the control level did not show rescue effects. Finally, abnormal mitochondrial accumulation and dysfunction were also observed in the brains of htau transgenic mice. Taken together, our data demonstrate that htau accumulation decreases cell viability and causes degeneration via enhancing mitofusin-associated mitochondrial fusion, which provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tauopathies.
A study on the electron transport properties of ZnON semiconductors with respect to the relative anion content
Authors: Park Jozeph , Kim Yang Soo , Ok Kyung-Chul , Park Yun Chang , Kim Hyun You , Park Jin-Seong , Kim Hyun-Suk 
Published: April 2016

AbstractHigh-mobility zinc oxynitride (ZnON) semiconductors were grown by RF sputtering using a Zn metal target in a plasma mixture of Ar, N2, and O2 gas. The RF power and the O2 to N2 gas flow rates were systematically adjusted to prepare a set of ZnON films with different relative anion contents. The carrier density was found to be greatly affected by the anion composition, while the electron mobility is determined by a fairly complex mechanism. First-principles calculations indicate that excess vacant nitrogen sites (VN) in N-rich ZnON disrupt the local electron conduction paths, which may be restored by having oxygen anions inserted therein. The latter are anticipated to enhance the electron mobility, and the exact process parameters that induce such a phenomenon can only be found experimentally. Contour plots of the Hall mobility and carrier density with respect to the RF power and O2 to N2 gas flow rate ratio indicate the existence of an optimum region where maximum electron mobility is obtained. Using ZnON films grown under the optimum conditions, the fabrication of high-performance devices with field-effect mobility values exceeding 120 cm2/Vs is demonstrated based on simple reactive RF sputtering methods.
Thioflavin T as an efficient fluorescence sensor for selective recognition of RNA G-quadruplexes
Authors: Xu Shujuan , Li Qian , Xiang Junfeng , Yang Qianfan , Sun Hongxia , Guan Aijiao , Wang Lixia , Liu Yan , Yu Lijia , Shi Yunhua , Chen Hongbo , Tang Yalin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) play important roles in translational regulation, mRNA processing events and gene expression. Therefore, a fluorescent probe that is capable of efficiently recognizing RNA G-quadruplex structures among other RNA forms is highly desirable. In this study, a water-soluble fluorogenic dye (i.e., Thioflavin T (ThT)) was employed to recognize RNA G-quadruplex structures using UV–Vis absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and emission lifetime experiments. By stacking on the G-tetrad, the ThT probe exhibited highly specific recognition of RNA G-quadruplex structures with striking fluorescence enhancement compared with other RNA forms. The specific binding demonstrates that ThT is an efficient fluorescence sensor that can distinguish G4 and non-G4 RNA structures.
Molecular adsorbates as probes of the local properties of doped graphene
Authors: Pham Van Dong , Joucken Frédéric , Repain Vincent , Chacon Cyril , Bellec Amandine , Girard Yann , Rousset Sylvie , Sporken Robert , Santos Maria Cristina dos , Lagoute Jérôme 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGraphene-based sensors are among the most promising of graphene’s applications. The ability to signal the presence of molecular species adsorbed on this atomically thin substrate has been explored from electric measurements to light scattering. Here we show that the adsorbed molecules can be used to sense graphene properties. The interaction of porphyrin molecules with nitrogen-doped graphene has been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy and ab initio calculations. Molecular manipulation was used to reveal the surface below the adsorbed molecules allowing to achieve an atomic-scale measure of the interaction of molecules with doped graphene. The adsorbate’s frontier electronic states are downshifted in energy as the molecule approaches the doping site, with largest effect when the molecule sits over the nitrogen dopant. Theoretical calculations showed that, due to graphene’s high polarizability, the adsorption of porphyrin induces a charge rearrangement on the substrate similar to the image charges on a metal. This charge polarization is enhanced around nitrogen site, leading to an increased interaction of molecules with their image charges on graphene. Consequently, the molecular states are stabilized and shift to lower energies. These findings reveal the local variation of polarizability induced by nitrogen dopant opening new routes towards the electronic tuning of graphene.
Antibiofilm efficacy of photoactivated curcumin, triple and double antibiotic paste, 2% chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus fecalis in vitro
Authors: Devaraj Sharmila , Jagannathan Nithya , Neelakantan Prasanna 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRoot canal disinfection is one of the most important factors governing success of root canal treatment, especially when regenerative strategies are used. This study evaluated the efficacy of 5 intracanal medicaments against mature biofilms of Enterococcus fecalis in vitro: Light activated curcumin, triple antibiotic paste (TAP), double antibiotic paste (DAP), chlorhexidine, calcium hydroxide. Untreated teeth with biofilms served as controls. Confocal microscopy was used to analyse the biofilm mass and percentage of live/dead bacteria within the root canal as well as dentinal tubules. Dentinal shavings obtained from the root canal walls (at 200 and 400 microns depth) were used to quantify the colony forming units/mL. The results showed that light activated curcumin and triple antibiotic paste brought about complete disruption of the biofilm structure (P < 0.05) while chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide were not significantly different from the control (P > 0.05). Light activated curcumin brought about the highest percentage of dead cells at both depths, but this was not significantly different from triple antibiotic paste (P > 0.05). Curcumin, TAP and DAP brought about a significant reduction of CFU/mL at both depths compared to the control and other groups (P < 0.05). Light activated curcumin brought about a 7 log reduction of bacteria at both depths.
Nearly diffraction-limited X-ray focusing with variable-numerical-aperture focusing optical system based on four deformable mirrors
Authors: Matsuyama Satoshi , Nakamori Hiroki , Goto Takumi , Kimura Takashi , Khakurel Krishna P. , Kohmura Yoshiki , Sano Yasuhisa , Yabashi Makina , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Nishino Yoshinori , Yamauchi Kazuto 
Published: April 2016

AbstractUnlike the electrostatic and electromagnetic lenses used in electron microscopy, most X-ray focusing optical systems have fixed optical parameters with constant numerical apertures (NAs). This lack of adaptability has significantly limited application targets. In the research described herein, we developed a variable-NA X-ray focusing system based on four deformable mirrors, two sets of Kirkpatrick–Baez-type focusing mirrors, in order to control the focusing size while keeping the position of the focus unchanged. We applied a mirror deformation procedure using optical/X-ray metrology for offline/online adjustments. We performed a focusing test at a SPring-8 beamline and confirmed that the beam size varied from 108 nm to 560 nm (165 nm to 1434 nm) in the horizontal (vertical) direction by controlling the NA while maintaining diffraction-limited conditions.
Generation of a monoclonal antibody recognizing the CEACAM glycan structure and inhibiting adhesion using cancer tissue-originated spheroid as an antigen
Authors: Sato Yumi , Tateno Hiroaki , Adachi Jun , Okuyama Hiroaki , Endo Hiroko , Tomonaga Takeshi , Inoue Masahiro 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSpheroids cultured directly from tumours can better reflect in vivo tumour characteristics than two-dimensional monolayer culture or three-dimensional culture of established cell lines. In this study, we generated antibodies by directly immunizing mice with primary-cultured living spheroids from human colorectal cancer. We performed phenotypic screening via recognition of the surface of the spheroids and inhibition of their adhesion to extracellular matrices to identify a monoclonal antibody, clone 5G2. The antibody inhibited cell migration in two-dimensional culture and promoted cell detachment. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry detected the 5G2 signal in many colorectal cancer spheroids, as well as patient tumours, but failed to detect in various cell lines examined. We found that 5G2 recognized the Lea and Lec on N-glycan, and their major carrier proteins were CEACAM5 and CEACAM6. Pre-incubation of the spheroids with 5G2 impaired translocation of integrin β4 from the lateral membrane to the contact interface between the extracellular matrix when embedded in it. As we successfully obtained a functional antibody, which antigen was glycan structures and lost in cell lines, cancer tissue-originated spheroids can be a useful antigen for generating novel anti-cancer antibodies.
Molecular simulations of conformation change and aggregation of HIV-1 Vpr13-33 on graphene oxide
Authors: Zeng Songwei , Zhou Guoquan , Guo Jianzhong , Zhou Feng , Chen Junlang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRecent experiments have reported that the fragment of viral protein R (Vpr), Vpr13-33, can assemble and change its conformation after adsorbed on graphene oxide (GO) and then reduce its cytotoxicity. This discovery is of great importance, since the mutation of Vpr13-33 can decrease the viral replication, viral load and delay the disease progression. However, the interactions between Vpr13-33 and GO at atomic level are still unclear. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the dynamic process of the adsorption of Vpr13-33 onto GO and the conformation change after aggregating on GO surface. We found that Vpr13-33 was adsorbed on GO surface very quickly and lost its secondary structure. The conformation of peptides-GO complex was highly stable because of π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions. When two peptides aggregated on GO, they did not dimerize, since the interactions between the two peptides were much weaker than those between each peptide and GO.