bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanostructures: Tunable Morphology and Halide Composition
Authors: Aamir Muhammad , Adhikari Tham , Sher Muhammad , Khan Malik Dilshad , Akhtar Javeed , Nunzi Jean‐Michel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInorganic halide perovskite (CsPbX3) nanostructures have gained considerable interest in recent years owing to their enhanced stability and optoelectronic applications. Recent developments in the synthesis of nanostructures are reviewed. The impact of the precursor and ligand nature, temperature and growth time on the morphology and shape tuning of CsPbX3 nanostructures is described in relation to their optical properties. The presynthetic and postsynthetic anion exchange strategies to retain pre‐existing crystal phase and shape are discussed in this minireview.
A simple model of the wind turbine induction zone derived from numerical simulations
Authors: Troldborg Niels , Meyer Forsting Alexander Raul 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe induction zone in front of different wind turbine rotors is studied by means of steady‐state Navier‐Stokes simulations combined with an actuator disk approach. It is shown that, for distances beyond 1 rotor radius upstream of the rotors, the induced velocity is self‐similar and independent of the rotor geometry. On the basis of these findings, a simple analytical model of the induction zone of wind turbines is proposed.
Myeloperoxidase is not a good biomarker for preeclampsia prediction
Authors: Rocha-Penha L. , Bettiol H. , Barbieri M. A. , Cardoso V. C. , Cavalli R. C. , Sandrim V. C. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMyeloperoxidase is a proinflammatory enzyme found to be increased in patients with established preeclampsia but never investigated before the disease onset. Here we examined myeloperoxidase concentration and activity in plasma and urine samples from pregnant women who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy and those who developed preeclampsia in order to assess its potential to predict this disorder. Our sample consisted of 30 cases who developed preeclampsia (14 severe and 16 mild) and 57 controls who remained healthy throughout pregnancy, derived from the Brazilian Ribeirão Preto and São Luís prenatal cohort (BRISA). Myeloperoxidase concentration were assessed using a commercial ELISA kit and enzymatic activity through tetramethylbenzidine oxidation. No statistical differences were found in myeloperoxidase levels nor activity between plasma or urine samples from controls, severe and mild cases. Myeloperoxidase did not seem to have a potential application for preeclampsia prediction.
Distribution of hybrid entanglement and hyperentanglement with time-bin for secure quantum channel under noise via weak cross-Kerr nonlinearity
Authors: Heo Jino , Kang Min-Sung , Hong Chang-Ho , Yang Hyung-Jin , Choi Seong-Gon , Hong Jong-Phil 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe design schemes to generate and distribute hybrid entanglement and hyperentanglement correlated with degrees of freedom (polarization and time-bin) via weak cross-Kerr nonlinearities (XKNLs) and linear optical devices (including time-bin encoders). In our scheme, the multi-photon gates (which consist of XKNLs, quantum bus [qubus] beams, and photon-number-resolving [PNR] measurement) with time-bin encoders can generate hyperentanglement or hybrid entanglement. And we can also purify the entangled state (polarization) of two photons using only linear optical devices and time-bin encoders under a noisy (bit-flip) channel. Subsequently, through local operations (using a multi-photon gate via XKNLs) and classical communications, it is possible to generate a four-qubit hybrid entangled state (polarization and time-bin). Finally, we discuss how the multi-photon gate using XKNLs, qubus beams, and PNR measurement can be reliably performed under the decoherence effect.
Hypoxia induces cancer-associated cAMP/PKA signalling through HIF-mediated transcriptional control of adenylyl cyclases VI and VII
Authors: Simko Veronika , Iuliano Filippo , Sevcikova Andrea , Labudova Martina , Barathova Monika , Radvak Peter , Pastorekova Silvia , Pastorek Jaromir , Csaderova Lucia 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHypoxia is a phenomenon often arising in solid tumours, linked to aggressive malignancy, bad prognosis and resistance to therapy. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 has been identified as a key mediator of cell and tissue adaptation to hypoxic conditions through transcriptional activation of many genes involved in glucose metabolism and other cancer-related processes, such as angiogenesis, cell survival and cell invasion. Cyclic adenosine 3′5′-monophosphate is one of the most ancient and evolutionarily conserved signalling molecules and the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway plays an important role in cellular adaptation to hypoxia. We have investigated possible new mechanisms behind hypoxic activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway. For the first time, we have shown that hypoxia induces transcriptional up-regulation of the system of adenylyl cyclases, enzymes responsible for cAMP production, in a panel of carcinoma cell lines of various origin. Our data prove functional relevance of the hypoxic increase of adenylyl cyclases VI and VII at least partially mediated by HIF-1 transcription factor. We have identified adenylyl cyclase VI and VII isoforms as mediators of cellular response to hypoxia, which led to the elevation of cAMP levels and enhanced PKA activity, with an impact on cell migration and pH regulation.
The Synthesis of Hybrid Gold-Silicon Nano Particles in a Liquid
Authors: Kutrovskaya S. , Arakelian S. , Kucherik A. , Osipov A. , Evlyukhin A. , Kavokin A. V. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe show that the laser ablation method can be efficiently employed for the synthesis of silicon nanoparticles (NP), which are characterized by a strong resonant optical response in the visible spectral range. A single layer composed of silicon NPs has been deposited from the colloidal solution generated by laser ablation. The formation of hybrid silicon-gold NPs as a result of the laser action on a mixed colloidal solution is observed. These hybrid NPs are characterized by broadening of the near-field photoluminescence spectra compared to pure silicon NPs. These results may be used for the realization of functional metasurfaces consisting of randomly distributed resonant NPs.
Rapid removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution using branched polyethylenimine enhanced magnetic carboxymethyl chitosan optimized with response surface methodology
Authors: Wang Yaoguang , Wu Di , Wei Qin , Wei Dong , Yan Tao , Yan Liangguo , Hu Lihua , Du Bin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this study, branched polyethylenimine (PEI) enhanced magnetic carboxymethyl chitosan (MCMC-PEI) was synthesized and applied as adsorbent for the rapid removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The successful synthesis of the adsorbent was proved by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Simultaneously, the effect of the parameters such as initial concentration, adsorbent mass and pH of the solution on the removal of Pb(II) was studied by using response surface methodology (RSM). And central composite design (CCD), which is a widely used form of RSM, was employed in the experimental design procedure. The adsorption results revealed that the adsorption process could reach equilibrium rapidly within 10 min. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetic data could be well described by pseudo-second order model. The maximum adsorption capacity was 124.0 mg/g according to the Langmuir-Freundlich model, which fitted the adsorption isotherm of Pb(II) better than Langmuir model and Freundlich model, respectively. Thermodynamic studies (ΔG < 0, ΔH < 0, ΔS > 0) implied a spontaneous and exothermic process in nature. Meanwhile, the fabricated adsorbent exhibited excellent reusability. Therefore, the excellent adsorption property of MCMC-PEI made it a promising application in water treatment.
Age differences in brain signal variability are robust to multiple vascular controls
Authors: Garrett Douglas D. , Lindenberger Ulman , Hoge Richard D. , Gauthier Claudine J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA host of studies support that younger, better performing adults express greater moment-to-moment blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal variability (SDBOLD) in various cortical regions, supporting an emerging view that the aging brain may undergo a generalized reduction in dynamic range. However, the exact physiological nature of age differences in SDBOLD remains understudied. In a sample of 29 younger and 45 older adults, we examined the contribution of vascular factors to age group differences in fixation-based SDBOLD using (1) a dual-echo BOLD/pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) sequence, and (2) hypercapnia via a computer-controlled gas delivery system. We tested the hypothesis that, although SDBOLD may relate to individual differences in absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF), BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), or maximum BOLD signal change (M), robust age differences in SDBOLD would remain after multiple statistical controls for these vascular factors. As expected, our results demonstrated that brain regions in which younger adults expressed higher SDBOLD persisted after comprehensive control of vascular effects. Our findings thus further establish BOLD signal variability as an important marker of the aging brain.
Interferon-gamma regulates inflammatory cell death by targeting necroptosis in experimental autoimmune arthritis
Authors: Lee Seung Hoon , Kwon Ji ye , Kim Se-Young , Jung KyoungAh , Cho Mi-La 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInterferon γ (IFN-γ) induces an inflammatory response and apoptotic cell death. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators, including tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and T helper (Th) 17 cells, and downregulation of apoptosis of inflammatory cells. We hypothesized that IFN-γ would reduce inflammatory cell deathin vitroand that loss of IFN-γ would aggravate inflammationin vivo. IFN-γ downregulated necroptosis and the expression of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIPL) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). However, loss of IFN-γ promoted the production of cFLIPLand MLKL, and necroptosis. IFN-γ deficiency increased Th17 cell number and upregulated the expression of IL-17 and TNF-α. Expression of MLKL, receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK)1, and RIPK3 was increased in the joints of mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Compared with wild-type mice with CIA, IFN-γ−/−CIA mice showed exacerbation of cartilage damage and joint inflammation, and acceleration of MLKL, RIPK1, and RIPK3 production in the joints. IFN-γ deficiency induced the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. These results suggest that IFN-γ regulates inflammatory cell death and may have potential for use in the treatment of RA.
Influence of Pregnancy History on the Vaginal Microbiome of Pregnant Women in their First Trimester
Authors: Nasioudis Dimitrios , Forney Larry J. , Schneider G. Maria , Gliniewicz Karol , France Michael , Boester Allison , Sawai Mio , Scholl Jessica , Witkin Steven S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPregnancy permanently alters maternal anatomy, physiology and immunity. We evaluated if the vaginal microbiome differed between women with a first or subsequent conception. Relative abundance of bacteria in the vaginal microbiome in first trimester pregnant women, 52 with their first known conception, 26 with a prior spontaneous or induced abortion but no deliveries and 77 with at least one prior birth, was determined by classifying DNA sequences from the V1-V3 region of bacterial 16 S rRNA genes. Lactobacillus crispatus was the numerically most abundant bacterium in 76.4% of women with a first conception, 50.0% with only a prior spontaneous or scheduled abortion and 22.2% with a prior birth (p ≤ 0.01). L. iners was the most abundant bacterium in 3.8% of women with a first conception as compared to 19.2% (p = 0.03) and 20.8% (p = 0.03) in those with a prior abortion or birth, respectively. Gardnerella as the most abundant bacterial genus increased from 3.8% in women with a first conception to 15.4% and 14.3% in those with a prior abortion or birth, respectively (p > 0.05). L. iners dominance was also associated with a history of spontaneous abortion (p ≤ 0.02). The composition of the vaginal microbiome and its influence on pregnancy outcome varies with pregnancy history.
Adaptation of soil nitrifiers to very low nitrogen level jeopardizes the efficiency of chemical fertilization in west african moist savannas
Authors: Assémien Féline L. , Pommier Thomas , Gonnety Jean T. , Gervaix Jonathan , Le Roux Xavier 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe moist savanna zone covers 0.5 × 106 km2 in West Africa and is characterized by very low soil N levels limiting primary production, but the ecology of nitrifiers in these (agro)ecosystems is largely unknown. We compared the effects of six agricultural practices on nitrifier activity, abundance and diversity at nine sites in central Ivory Coast. Treatments, including repeated fertilization with ammonium and urea, had no effect on nitrification and crop N status after 3 to 5 crop cycles. Nitrification was actually higher at low than medium ammonium level. The nitrifying community was always dominated by ammonia oxidizing archaea and Nitrospira. However, the abundances of ammonia oxidizing bacteria, AOB, and Nitrobacter increased with fertilization after 5 crop cycles. Several AOB populations, some affiliated to Nitrosospira strains with urease activity or adapted to fluctuating ammonium levels, emerged in fertilized plots, which was correlated to nitrifying community ability to benefit from fertilization. In these soils, dominant nitrifiers adapted to very low ammonium levels have to be replaced by high-N nitrifiers before fertilization can stimulate nitrification. Our results show that the delay required for this replacement is much longer than ever observed for other terrestrial ecosystems, i.e. > 5 crop cycles, and demonstrate for the first time that nitrifier characteristics jeopardize the efficiency of fertilization in moist savanna soils.
Decision-making in primary onset middle-age type 2 diabetes mellitus: a BOLD-fMRI study
Authors: Sun Dan-Miao , Ma Ye , Sun Zong-Bo , Xie Lei , Huang Jin-Zhuang , Chen Wei-Song , Duan Shou-Xing , Lin Zhi-Rong , Guo Rui-Wei , Le Hong-Bo , Xu Wen-Can , Ma Shu-Hua 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAlthough type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a well-recognized risk factor for dementia, the neural mechanisms that underlying cognitive impairment in T2DM remain unclear. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a computerized version of the Iowa Gambling Task to investigate the neural basis of decision making at the initial onset stage of T2DM. Eighteen newly diagnosed middle-aged T2DM patients, with no previous diabetic treatment history, and 18 matched controls were recruited. Results indicated that T2DM patients made more disadvantageous decisions than controls. Compared to healthy subjects, T2DM patients showed decreased activation in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and anterior cingulate cortex, and increased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, insula and occipital lobes. IGT performance positively correlated with changes in brain activation in the VMPFC and OFC in both groups. Moreover, poor glycemic control was associated with decision-making function both in behavioral and brain activity in the VMPFC and OFC in patients. Conclusively, T2DM patients may suffer from weaknesses in their prefrontal cortex functions that lead to poorer decision-making under ambiguity, at least as assessed by the IGT.
Reservoir Computing Beyond Memory-Nonlinearity Trade-off
Authors: Inubushi Masanobu , Yoshimura Kazuyuki 
Published: August 2017

AbstractReservoir computing is a brain-inspired machine learning framework that employs a signal-driven dynamical system, in particular harnessing common-signal-induced synchronization which is a widely observed nonlinear phenomenon. Basic understanding of a working principle in reservoir computing can be expected to shed light on how information is stored and processed in nonlinear dynamical systems, potentially leading to progress in a broad range of nonlinear sciences. As a first step toward this goal, from the viewpoint of nonlinear physics and information theory, we study the memory-nonlinearity trade-off uncovered by Dambre et al. (2012). Focusing on a variational equation, we clarify a dynamical mechanism behind the trade-off, which illustrates why nonlinear dynamics degrades memory stored in dynamical system in general. Moreover, based on the trade-off, we propose a mixture reservoir endowed with both linear and nonlinear dynamics and show that it improves the performance of information processing. Interestingly, for some tasks, significant improvements are observed by adding a few linear dynamics to the nonlinear dynamical system. By employing the echo state network model, the effect of the mixture reservoir is numerically verified for a simple function approximation task and for more complex tasks.
Aggravation of acute kidney injury by mPGES-2 down regulation is associated with autophagy inhibition and enhanced apoptosis
Authors: Li Ting , Liu Ying , Zhao Jie , Miao Shuying , Xu Yunfei , Liu Ke , Liu Meidong , Wang Guiliang , Xiao Xianzhong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe deletion of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-2 (mPGES-2) does not affect in vivo PGE2 production, and the function of this enzyme remains unknown until now. This study investigated the expression and roles of mPGES-2 in LPS induced acute kidney injury (AKI) both in vitro and in vivo. We found that mPGES-2 was up-regulated in kidney of mice with LPS induced AKI. Inhibition of mouse mpges2 gene expression exacerbated LPS-induced renal dysfunction, renal tubular cell damage and apoptosis, while inhibited kidney autophagy. Further cellular experiments showed that over-expression of mPGES-2 resulted in increased autophagy and decreased apoptosis rate of renal tubular epithelial cells. In addition, treatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine could reverse the above-mentioned results. On the contrary, interference of mPGES-2 expression by siRNA decreased autophagy level but significantly increased apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells and treatment with autophagy inducer rapamycin can reverse these results. Overall, our study shows that mPGES-2 can protect renal tubular epithelial cells by regulating autophagy levels and aggravation of acute kidney injury by mPGES-2 down regulation is associated with autophagy inhibition and enhanced apoptosis.
SIRT6 promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through BMP signaling
Authors: Zhang Ping , Liu Yunsong , Wang Yuejun , Zhang Min , Lv Longwei , Zhang Xiao , Zhou Yongsheng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSIRT6 has been identified as an H3K9 deacetylase and a critical regulator of genome stability, telomere integrity, and metabolic homeostasis. Sirt6-deficient mice displayed dramatic phenotypes including profound lymphopenia, loss of subcutaneous fat, lordokyphosis and low bone marrow density. Here, we report that SIRT6 regulates osteogenic differentiation independent of its deacetylase activity in vitro. Further mechanistic studies showed that SIRT6 involves the cell fate determination by modulating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Unexpectedly, this modulation depends upon P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF). In addition, we observed impaired SIRT6 expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and in bone sections of ovariectomized mice. Taken together, our present study provide new insights into mechanisms of SIRT6-regulated MSC function beyond its H3K9 deacetylase activity.
High-throughput analysis of N-glycans using AutoTip via glycoprotein immobilization
Authors: Yang Shuang , Clark David , Liu Yang , Li Shuwei , Zhang Hui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAnalysis of a large number of samples requires an efficient, rapid and reproducible method. Automation is an ideal approach for high-throughput sample preparation. Multi-plexing sample preparation via a 96-well plate format becomes popular in recent years; however, those methods lack specificity and require several cleanup steps via chromatography purification. To overcome these drawbacks, a chemoenzymatic method has been developed utilizing protein conjugation on solid-phase. Previously, sample preparation was successfully performed in a snap-cap spin-column (SCSC) format. However, sample preparation using SCSC is time-consuming and lacks reproducibility. In this work, we integrated the chemoenzymatic technique in a pipette tip (AutoTip) that was operated by an automated liquid handler. We established a multi-step protocol involving protein immobilization, sialic acid modification, and N-glycan release. We first optimized our automated protocol using bovine fetuin as a standard glycoprotein, and then assessed the reproducibility of the AutoTip using isobaric tags for relative N-linked glycan quantification. We then applied this methodology to profile N-glycans from 58 prostate cancer patient urine samples, revealing increased sialyation on urinary N-glycans derived from prostate cancer patients. Our results indicated AutoTip has applications for high-throughput sample preparation for studying the N-linked glycans.
Differential effects of antidepressant treatment on long-range and short-range functional connectivity strength in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: An Jing , Wang Li , Li Ke , Zeng Yawei , Su Yunai , Jin Zhen , Yu Xin , Si Tianmei 
Published: August 2017

AbstarctAlthough we have some basic understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms of the antidepressants, the network-level effect of antidepressant treatment is still not fully understood. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of antidepressant on functional brain networks of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). We performed resting-state fMRI scans on 20 first-episode drug-naive MDD patients at baseline and after escitalopram medication for 8 weeks. Twenty healthy controls also received MRI scans with an 8-week interval. The graph theory indices, long- and short-range functional connectivity strength (FCS), were computed to characterize the brain connectivity. The analysis of covariance was conducted on FCS maps of patients and controls to obtain the interaction effect of group and time, which indicate treatment-related effect. Following treatment, increased long-range FCS in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus and right thalamus in MDD patients at baseline were reduced. Meanwhile, increased short-range FCS in the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex and left amygdala in patients were reduced, while reduced short-range FCS in the right parahippocampal gyrus was increased. Results suggest that the brain regions associated with negative emotional processing and regulation, and self-referential function could be modulated by escitalopram treatment; long- and short-range FCS are differentially affected by antidepressant.