bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Orbital Reconstruction Enhanced Exchange Bias in La0.6Sr0.4MnO3/Orthorhombic YMnO3 Heterostructures
Authors: Zheng Dongxing , Jin Chao , Li Peng , Wang Liyan , Feng Liefeng , Mi Wenbo , Bai Haili 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe exchange bias in ferromagnetic/multiferroic heterostructures is usually considered to originate from interfacial coupling. In this work, an orbital reconstruction enhanced exchange bias was discovered. As La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 (LSMO) grown on YMnO3 (YMO) suffers a tensile strain (a > c), the doubly degenerate eg orbital splits into high energy 3z2 − r2 and low energy x2 − y2 orbitals, which makes electrons occupy the localized x2 − y2 orbital and leads to the formation of antiferromagnetic phase in LSMO. The orbital reconstruction induced antiferromagnetic phase enhances the exchange bias in the LSMO/YMO heterostructures, lightening an effective way for electric-field modulated magnetic moments in multiferroic magnetoelectric devices.
Intrinsic beam emittance of laser-accelerated electrons measured by x-ray spectroscopic imaging
Authors: Golovin G. , Banerjee S. , Liu C. , Chen S. , Zhang J. , Zhao B. , Zhang P. , Veale M. , Wilson M. , Seller P. , Umstadter D. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe recent combination of ultra-intense lasers and laser-accelerated electron beams is enabling the development of a new generation of compact x-ray light sources, the coherence of which depends directly on electron beam emittance. Although the emittance of accelerated electron beams can be low, it can grow due to the effects of space charge during free-space propagation. Direct experimental measurement of this important property is complicated by micron-scale beam sizes and the presence of intense fields at the location where space charge acts. Reported here is a novel, non-destructive, single-shot method that overcame this problem. It employed an intense laser probe pulse and spectroscopic imaging of the inverse-Compton scattered x-rays, allowing measurement of an ultra-low value for the normalized transverse emittance, 0.15 (±0.06) π mm mrad, as well as study of its subsequent growth upon exiting the accelerator. The technique and results are critical for designing multi-stage laser-wakefield accelerators and generating high-brightness, spatially coherent x-rays.
Drought dominates the interannual variability in global terrestrial net primary production by controlling semi-arid ecosystems
Authors: Huang Ling , He Bin , Chen Aifang , Wang Haiyan , Liu Junjie , Lű Aifeng , Chen Ziyue 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDrought is a main driver of interannual variation in global terrestrial net primary production. However, how and to what extent drought impacts global NPP variability is unclear. Based on the multi-timescale drought index SPEI and a satellite-based annual global terrestrial NPP dataset, we observed a robust relationship between drought and NPP in both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, the annual NPP trend is driven by 19-month drought variation, whereas that in the Southern Hemisphere is driven by 16-month drought variation. Drought-dominated NPP, which mainly occurs in semi-arid ecosystems, explains 29% of the interannual variation in global NPP, despite its 16% contribution to total global NPP. More surprisingly, drought prone ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere, which only account for 7% of the total global NPP, contribute to 33% of the interannual variation in global NPP. Our observations support the leading role of semi-arid ecosystems in interannual variability in global NPP and highlight the great impacts of long-term drought on the global carbon cycle.
The role of silicon in enhancing resistance to bacterial blight of hydroponic- and soil-cultured rice
Authors: Song Alin , Xue Gaofeng , Cui Peiyuan , Fan Fenliang , Liu Hongfang , Yin Chang , Sun Wanchun , Liang Yongchao 
Published: April 2016

AbstractHere we report for the first time that bacterial blight of rice can be alleviated by silicon (Si) added. In both inoculated and uninoculated plants, shoot dry weight was significantly higher in the +Si plants than in the −Si plants. A soil-cultured trial showed that disease severity was 24.3% lower in the Si-amended plants than in the non-Si-amended plants. Plants that were switched from −Si to +Si nutrient solution and simultaneously inoculated with Xoo also exhibited the same high resistance to bacterial blight as the plants that were treated continuously with Si, with control efficiencies of 52.8 and 62.9%, respectively. Moreover, total concentrations of soluble phenolics and lignin in rice leaves were significantly higher in the +Si plants than in the −Si plants. Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities in rice leaves were observed to be higher in the +Si plants than in the −Si plants. The expression levels of Os03g0109600, Prla, Rcht2 and Lox2osPil, were also higher in +Si plants than in −Si plants post-inoculation during the experimental time. Addition of Si resulted in increased Pal transcription, and inhibited CatA and Os03g0126000 expression in the earlier and later stages of bacterial inoculation, respectively.
Gpr97 is dispensable for metabolic syndrome but is involved in macrophage inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice
Authors: Shi Jueping , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Shaoying , Wang Jinjin , Du Bing , Wang Zhugang , Liu Mingyao , Jiang Wenzheng , Qian Min , Ren Hua 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLocal inflammation in tissues is one of primary causes in development of metabolic disorder in obesity. The accumulation of macrophages in some tissues can induce inflammatory reactions in obesity. Gpr97 is highly expressed in some immunocytes, but its potential role in inflammatory regulation has not been revealed clearly. In our research, we investigated Gpr97 in regulating macrophage inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The major metabolic phenotyping were not different after Gpr97 knockout in HFD-fed mice. Similar pathological alterations in adipose tissue, liver and kidney were observed in Gpr97−/− HFD mice compared with WT-HFD mice. In white adipose tissue, loss of Gpr97 reduced the ratio of M1-macrophages and increased the M2-macrophage ratio, which was opposite to that seen in the wild-type HFD mice. More macrophages invaded in the liver and kidney after Gpr97 knockout in HFD mice. Furthermore, the levels of TNF-α were higher in the liver and kidney of Gpr97−/− HFD mice compared to those in wild-type HFD mice. The data indicate that Gpr97 might be required for local inflammation development in obesity-relative tissues, but does not play a role in metabolic disorder in HFD-induced obesity.
Gene-set Analysis with CGI Information for Differential DNA Methylation Profiling
Authors: Chang Chia-Wei , Lu Tzu-Pin , She Chang-Xian , Feng Yen-Chen , Hsiao Chuhsing Kate 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDNA methylation is a well-established epigenetic biomarker for many diseases. Studying the relationships among a group of genes and their methylations may help to unravel the etiology of diseases. Since CpG-islands (CGIs) play a crucial role in the regulation of transcription during methylation, including them in the analysis may provide further information in understanding the pathogenesis of cancers. Such CGI information, however, has usually been overlooked in existing gene-set analyses. Here we aimed to include both pathway information and CGI status to rank competing gene-sets and identify among them the genes most likely contributing to DNA methylation changes. To accomplish this, we devised a Bayesian model for matched case-control studies with parameters for CGI status and pathway associations, while incorporating intra-gene-set information. Three cancer studies with candidate pathways were analyzed to illustrate this approach. The strength of association for each candidate pathway and the influence of each gene were evaluated. Results show that, based on probabilities, the importance of pathways and genes can be determined. The findings confirm that some of these genes are cancer-related and may hold the potential to be targeted in drug development.
Facile preparation of salivary extracellular vesicles for cancer proteomics
Authors: Sun Yan , Xia Zhijun , Shang Zhi , Sun Kaibo , Niu Xiaomin , Qian Liqiang , Fan Liu-Yin , Cao Cheng-Xi , Xiao Hua 
Published: April 2016

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane surrounded structures released by cells, which have been increasingly recognized as mediators of intercellular communication. Recent reports indicate that EVs participate in important biological processes and could serve as potential source for cancer biomarkers. As an attractive EVs source with merit of non-invasiveness, human saliva is a unique medium for clinical diagnostics. Thus, we proposed a facile approach to prepare salivary extracellular vesicles (SEVs). Affinity chromatography column combined with filter system (ACCF) was developed to efficiently remove the high abundant proteins and viscous interferences of saliva. Protein profiling in the SEVs obtained by this strategy was compared with conventional centrifugation method, which demonstrated that about 70% more SEVs proteins could be revealed. To explore its utility for cancer proteomics, we analyzed the proteome of SEVs in lung cancer patients and normal controls. Shotgun proteomic analysis illustrated that 113 and 95 proteins have been identified in cancer group and control group, respectively. Among those 63 proteins that have been consistently discovered only in cancer group, 12 proteins are lung cancer related. Our results demonstrated that SEVs prepared through the developed strategy are valuable samples for proteomics and could serve as a promising liquid biopsy for cancer.
Superhydrophobic Ceramic Coatings by Solution Precursor Plasma Spray
Authors: Cai Yuxuan , Coyle Thomas W. , Azimi Gisele , Mostaghimi Javad 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis work presents a novel coating technique to manufacture ceramic superhydrophobic coatings rapidly and economically. A rare earth oxide (REO) was selected as the coating material due to its hydrophobic nature, chemical inertness, high temperature stability and good mechanical properties and deposited on stainless steel substrates by solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS). The effects of various spraying conditions including standoff distance, torch power, number of torch passes, types of solvent and plasma velocity were investigated. The as-sprayed coating demonstrated a hierarchically structured surface topography, which closely resembles superhydrophobic surfaces found in nature. The water contact angle on the SPPS superhydrophobic coating was up to 65% higher than on smooth REO surfaces.
A protease-based biosensor for the detection of schistosome cercariae
Authors: Webb A. J. , Kelwick R. , Doenhoff M. J. , Kylilis N. , MacDonald J. T. , Wen K. Y. , McKeown C. , Baldwin G. , Ellis T. , Jensen K. , Freemont P. S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractParasitic diseases affect millions of people worldwide, causing debilitating illnesses and death. Rapid and cost-effective approaches to detect parasites are needed, especially in resource-limited settings. A common signature of parasitic diseases is the release of specific proteases by the parasites at multiple stages during their life cycles. To this end, we engineered several modular Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis whole-cell-based biosensors which incorporate an interchangeable protease recognition motif into their designs. Herein, we describe how several of our engineered biosensors have been applied to detect the presence and activity of elastase, an enzyme released by the cercarial larvae stage of Schistosoma mansoni. Collectively, S. mansoni and several other schistosomes are responsible for the infection of an estimated 200 million people worldwide. Since our biosensors are maintained in lyophilised cells, they could be applied for the detection of S. mansoni and other parasites in settings without reliable cold chain access.
Knockdown of lncRNA-ATB suppresses autocrine secretion of TGF-β2 by targeting ZNF217 via miR-200c in keloid fibroblasts
Authors: Zhu Hua-Yu , Bai Wen-Dong , Li Chao , Zheng Zhao , Guan Hao , Liu Jia-Qi , Yang Xue-Kang , Han Shi-Chao , Gao Jian-Xin , Wang Hong-Tao , Hu Da-Hai 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAbnormally high activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling has been demonstrated to be involved in the initiation and progression of keloids. However, the functional role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-activated by TGF-β (lncRNA-ATB) in keloids has not been documented. Here we investigated the role of lncRNA-ATB in the autocrine secretion of TGF-β in keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and explored the underlying molecular mechanism. Using immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR analysis, we showed that lncRNA-ATB and ZNF217, a transcriptional activator of TGF-β, were overexpressed and miR-200c, which targets ZNF217, was under-expressed in keloid tissue and keloid fibroblasts. Through gain- and loss-of-function studies, we demonstrated that knockdown of lncRNA-ATB decreased autocrine secretion of TGF-β2 and ZNF217 expression but upregulated expression of miR-200c in KFs. Stable downregulation of ZNF217 expression decreased the autocrine secretion of TGF-β2. miR-200c was endogenously associated with lncRNA-ATB and inhibition of miR-200c overcame the decrease in ZNF217 expression in KFs. Taken together, these findings indicate that lncRNA-ATB governs the autocrine secretion of TGF-β2 in KFs, at least in part, by downregulating the expression level of ZNF217 via miR-200c, suggesting a signaling axis consisting of lncRNA-ATB/miR-200c/ZNF217/TGF-β2. These findings may provide potential biomarkers and targets for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for keloids.
Rapid climate fluctuations over the past millennium: evidence from a lacustrine record of Basomtso Lake, southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Kai , Liu Xingqi , Herzschuh Ulrike , Wang Yongbo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAbrupt climate changes and fluctuations over short time scales are superimposed on long-term climate changes. Understanding rapid climate fluctuations at the decadal time scale over the past millennium will enhance our understanding of patterns of climate variability and aid in forecasting climate changes in the future. In this study, climate changes on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau over the past millennium were determined from a 4.82-m-long sediment core from Basomtso Lake. At the centennial time scale, the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA), Little Ice Age (LIA) and Current Warm Period (CWP) are distinct in the Basomtso region. Rapid climate fluctuations inferred from five episodes with higher sediment input and likely warmer conditions, as well as seven episodes with lower sediment input and likely colder conditions, were well preserved in our record. These episodes with higher and lower sediment input are characterized by abrupt climate changes and short time durations. Spectral analysis indicates that the climate variations at the centennial scale on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau are influenced by solar activity during the past millennium.
Maternal mid-pregnancy C-reactive protein and risk of autism spectrum disorders: the early markers for autism study
Authors: Zerbo O , Traglia M , Yoshida C , Heuer L S , Ashwood P , Delorenze G N , Hansen R L , Kharrazi M , Van de Water J , Yolken R H , Weiss L A , Croen L A 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMaternal pregnancy levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) has been previously associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the offspring. We conducted a population-based nested case–control study with 500 children with ASD, 235 with developmental delay (DD) and 580 general population (GP) controls to further investigate whether elevated CRP during pregnancy increases the risk of ASD. Maternal CRP concentration was measured in archived serum collected during 15–19 weeks of pregnancy and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data were generated. The levels of CRP were compared between ASD vs GP and DD vs GP. The genetic associations with CRP were assessed via linear regression. Maternal CRP levels in mid-pregnancy were lower in mothers of ASD compared with controls. The maternal CRP levels in the upper third and fourth quartiles were associated with a 45 and 44% decreased risk of ASD, respectively. Two SNPs at the CRP locus showed strong association with CRP levels but they were not associated with ASD. No difference was found between maternal CRP levels of DD and controls. The reasons for the lower levels of CRP in mothers of ASD are not known with certainty but may be related to alterations in the immune response to infectious agents. The biological mechanisms underlying this association remain to be clarified.
Dopamine–prolactin pathway potentially contributes to the schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes comorbidity
Authors: Gragnoli C , Reeves G M , Reazer J , Postolache T T 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSchizophrenia (SCZ) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are clinically associated, and common knowledge attributes this association to side effects of antipsychotic treatment. However, even drug-naive patients with SCZ are at increased risk for T2D. Dopamine dysfunction has a central role in SCZ. It is well-known that dopamine constitutively inhibits prolactin (PRL) secretion via the dopamine receptor 2 (DR2D). If dopamine is increased or if dopamine receptors hyperfunction, PRL may be reduced. During the first SCZ episode, low PRL levels are associated with worse symptoms. PRL is essential in human and social bonding, as well as it is implicated in glucose homeostasis. Dopamine dysfunction, beyond contributing to SCZ symptoms, may lead to altered appetite and T2D. To our knowledge, there are no studies of the genetics of the SCZ–T2D comorbidity focusing jointly on the dopamine and PRL pathway in the attempt to capture molecular heterogeneity correlated to possible disease manifestation heterogeneity. In this dopamine–PRL pathway-focused-hypothesis-driven review on the association of SCZ with T2D, we report a specific revision of what it is known about PRL and dopamine in relation to what we theorize is one of the missing links between the two disorders. We suggest that new studies are necessary to establish the genetic role of PRL and dopamine pathway in SCZ–T2D comorbidity.
Finite‐difference time‐domain simulation of partial discharges in a gas insulated switchgear
Authors: Tanaka Hiroki , Tanahashi Daiki , Baba Yoshihiro , Nagaoka Naoto , Okada Naoki , Ohki Hideto , Takeuchi Masayasu 
Published: April 2016

It is important to estimate the current magnitude and charge amount of a partial discharge (PD) in a gas‐insulated switchgear (GIS). In this study, electromagnetic fields generated by a PD in an 84 kV‐class three‐phase GIS for testing have been measured with a voltage probe installed on the outer surface of an insulation spacer of the GIS tank, and the corresponding simulations have been carried out using the three‐dimensional finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method. FDTD‐computed time‐domain voltages across spacers agree reasonably well with the corresponding measured ones, and the current magnitude of PD and its charge amount have been estimated.
Influence of field emission on microwave microdischarges
Authors: Levko Dmitry , Raja Laxminarayan L. 
Published: April 2016

An instability in the stable operation of microdischarges sustained at microwave frequencies, is investigated by a self‐consistent one‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell Monte Carlo collisions model. The instability is caused by the field electron emission from electrodes and is triggered by the high electric fields at the sheaths in a dense microplasma. For an operating frequency of 9 GHz, and electrode gap of 60 µm, the field emission (FE) is not active at the breakdown voltage. However, once a stable dense plasma is produced post‐breakdown, a strong sheath results in an electrode electric fields that exceed the threshold for FE causing a runaway in the electron generation in the plasma.
Queer art in Vietnam: from closet to pride in two decades
Authors: Nualart Cristina 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMale and female artists in Vietnam from the early 1990s to the new millennium have contributed art that gives visibility to non-normative lifestyles that go against the traditional values espoused by national rhetoric. This article explores some of the first manifestations of queer art in contemporary Vietnam, outlining a short history of artworks that may be considered “queer” because of their subject matter, irrespective of whether they were made by straight or queer identified artists. Many of these artworks are not made in traditional media, or they break conventions in the local artistic canon. Frequently they have performative characteristics, an art form that arose in Vietnam in the 1990s, the beginning of the timeframe explored here. Photography, another medium not long or firmly established, is also extensively employed. The narrative attends specifically to the dissidence, in content or format, of selected artworks, and points to a correlation over time to an increased tolerance of homosexuality. This article is published as part of a thematic collection on gender studies.
Biodegradable antigen-associated PLG nanoparticles tolerize Th2-mediated allergic airway inflammation pre- and postsensitization
Authors: Smarr Charles B. , Yap Woon Teck , Neef Tobias P. , Pearson Ryan M. , Hunter Zoe N. , Ifergan Igal , Getts Daniel R. , Bryce Paul J. , Shea Lonnie D. , Miller Stephen D. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Allergic diseases are characterized by inappropriate inflammatory responses to benign environmental antigens (Ags). Primary clinical approaches to allergic disease consist of symptom control or administration of soluble Ag to skew the immune response to alternate phenotypes or induce immune tolerance. However, such approaches carry a significant risk of adverse events and require a long treatment course to achieve efficacy. In this paper, we describe the use of i.v.-administered nanoparticles as carriers of whole-protein Ag to induce tolerance safely and effectively in the absence of nonspecific immunosuppression for the prevention and treatment of a mouse model of allergic asthma.
Low-latitude arc–continent collision as a driver for global cooling
Authors: Jagoutz Oliver , Macdonald Francis A. , Royden Leigh 
Published: April 2016

SignificanceThis manuscript provides a mechanism for triggering cooling events following the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum and the Early Eocene Climate optimum that ultimately resulted in the Cenozoic glaciation. We present a quantitative model of changes in CO2sources and sinks during the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. Our results suggest that long-term cooling was predominantly due to obduction of highly weatherable mafic and ultramafic Ca- and Mg-rich rocks (ophiolites) in the wet tropics. Our model accounts for both the two episodes of cooling and also the partial recovery in temperatures between ∼70 and 50 Ma.