bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential controls on soil carbon density and mineralization among contrasting forest types in a temperate forest ecosystem
Authors: You Ye-Ming , Wang Juan , Sun Xiao-Lu , Tang Zuo-Xin , Zhou Zhi-Yong , Sun Osbert Jianxin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the controls on soil carbon dynamics is crucial for modeling responses of ecosystem carbon balance to global change, yet few studies provide explicit knowledge on the direct and indirect effects of forest stands on soil carbon via microbial processes. We investigated tree species, soil and site factors in relation to soil carbon density and mineralization in a temperate forest of central China. We found that soil microbial biomass and community structure, extracellular enzyme activities and most of the site factors studied varied significantly across contrasting forest types and that the associations between activities of soil extracellular enzymes and microbial community structure appeared to be weak and inconsistent across forest types, implicating complex mechanisms in the microbial regulation of soil carbon metabolism in relation to tree species. Overall, variations in soil carbon density and mineralization are predominantly accounted for by shared effects of tree species, soil, microclimate and microbial traits rather than the individual effects of the four categories of factors. Our findings point to differential controls on soil carbon density and mineralization among contrasting forest types and highlight the challenge to incorporate microbial processes for constraining soil carbon dynamics in global carbon cycle models.
Dark state population determines magnetic sensitivity in radical pair magnetoreception model
Authors: Xu Bao-Ming , Zou Jian 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWhat is the real role of the quantum coherence and entanglement in the radical pair (RP) compass and what determines the singlet yield have not been fully understood. In this paper, we find that the dark states of the two-electron Zeeman energy operator (TEZE) play an important role in the RP compass. We respectively calculate the singlet yields for two initial states in this dark state basis: the coherent state and the same state just removing the dark state coherence. For the later there is neither dark state coherence nor entanglement in the whole dynamical process. Surprisingly we find that in both cases the singlet yields are the same and based on this result, we believe that the dark state population determines the singlet yield completely and the dark state coherence and entanglement have little contribution to it. Finally, we also find that the dark state population as well as the singlet yield anisotropy is fragile to the vertical magnetic noise. However, the orientation is robust and is even enhanced by the parallel magnetic noise because the dark states expand a decoherence-free subspace. The dark state population as well as the orientation is more robust to the hyperfine coupling noise.
Evidence for lattice-polarization-enhanced field effects at the SrTiO3-based heterointerface
Authors: Li Y. , Zhang H. R. , Lei Y. , Chen Y. Z. , Pryds N. , Shen Baogen , Sun Jirong 
Published: March 2016

AbstractElectrostatic gating provides a powerful approach to tune the conductivity of the two-dimensional electron liquid between two insulating oxides. For the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) interface, such gating effect could be further enhanced by a strong lattice polarization of STO caused by simultaneous application of gate field and illumination light. Herein, by monitoring the discharging process upon removing the gate field, we give firm evidence for the occurrence of this lattice polarization at the amorphous-LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. Moreover, we find that the lattice polarization is accompanied with a large expansion of the out-of-plane lattice of STO. Photo excitation affects the polarization process by accelerating the field-induced lattice expansion. The present work demonstrates the great potential of combined stimuli in exploring emergent phenomenon at complex oxide interfaces.
The Ground State of Monolayer Graphene in a Strong Magnetic Field
Authors: Wu Lian-Ao , Guidry Mike 
Published: March 2016

AbstractExperiments indicate that the ground state of graphene in a strong magnetic field exhibits spontaneous breaking of SU(4) symmetry. However, the nature of the corresponding emergent state is unclear because existing theoretical methods approximate the broken-symmetry solutions, yielding nearly-degenerate candidate ground states having different emergent orders. Resolving this ambiguity in the nature of the strong-field ground state is highly desirable, given the importance of graphene for both fundamental physics and technical applications. We have discovered a new SO(8) symmetry that recovers standard graphene SU(4) quantum Hall physics, but predicts two new broken-SU(4) phases and new properties for potential ground states. Our solutions are analytical; thus we capture the essential physics of spontaneously-broken SU(4) states in a powerful yet solvable model useful both in correlating existing data and in suggesting new experiments.
Identification of Loci Modulating the Cardiovascular and Skeletal Phenotypes of Marfan Syndrome in Mice
Authors: Fernandes Gustavo R. , Massironi Silvia M. G. , Pereira Lygia V. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMarfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disease of the connective tissue, affecting mostly the skeletal, ocular and cardiovascular systems, caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene. The existence of modifier genes has been postulated based on the wide clinical variability of manifestations in patients, even among those with the same FBN1 mutation. Although isogenic mouse models of the disease were fundamental in dissecting the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis, they do not address the effect of genetic background on the disease phenotype. Here, we use a new mouse model, mgΔloxPneo, which presents different phenotype severity dependent on the genetic backgrounds, to identify genes involved in modulating MFS phenotype. F2 heterozygotes showed wide phenotypic variability, with no correlations between phenotypic severities of the different affected systems, indicating that each has its specific set of modifier genes. Individual analysis of the phenotypes, with SNP microarrays, identified two suggestive QTL each to the cardiovascular and skeletal, and one significant QTL to the skeletal phenotype. Epistatic interactions between the QTL account for 47.4% and 53.5% of variation in the skeletal and cardiovascular phenotypes, respectively. This is the first study that maps modifier loci for MFS, showing the complex genetic architecture underlying the disease.
Sleep and mood disorders in dry eye disease and allied irritating ocular diseases
Authors: Ayaki Masahiko , Kawashima Motoko , Negishi Kazuno , Kishimoto Taishiro , Mimura Masaru , Tsubota Kazuo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep and mood disorders in patients with irritating ocular diseases. The study design was a cross-sectional/case-control study conducted in six eye clinics. Out of 715 outpatients diagnosed with irritating ocular surface diseases and initially enrolled, 301 patients with dry eye disease (DED) and 202 age-matched control participants with other ocular surface diseases were analyzed. The mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were 6.4 ± 3.2 and 11.1 ± 5.7 for severe DED (n = 146), 5.5 ± 3.3 and 9.8 ± 4.0 for mild DED (n = 155), 5.5 ± 3.1 and 9.5 ± 6.6 for chronic conjunctivitis (n = 124), and 5.0 ± 3.3 and 8.9 ± 5.3 for allergic conjunctivitis (n = 78). There were significant differences among these diagnostic groups for PSQI (P < 0.05). Regression analysis of patients with DED revealed the PSQI and HADS scores were significantly correlated with the severity of DED (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that sleep quality in patients with DED is significantly worse than in patients with other irritating ocular surface diseases and it is correlated with the severity of DED.
Social cognition and prefrontal hemodynamic responses during a working memory task in schizophrenia
Authors: Pu Shenghong , Nakagome Kazuyuki , Yamada Takeshi , Itakura Masashi , Yamanashi Takehiko , Yamada Sayaka , Masai Mieko , Miura Akihiko , Yamauchi Takahira , Satake Takahiro , Iwata Masaaki , Nagata Izumi , Roberts David L. , Kaneko Koichi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSocial cognition is an important determinant of functional impairment in schizophrenia, but its relationship with the prefrontal functional abnormalities associated with the condition is still unclear. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between social cognition and prefrontal function in patients with schizophrenia using 52-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Twenty-six patients with schizophrenia and 26 age-, gender-, and intelligence quotient-matched healthy controls (HCs) participated in the study. Hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal and superior temporal cortical regions were assessed during a working memory task using NIRS. Social cognition was assessed using the Social Cognition Screening Questionnaire (SCSQ). The observed hemodynamic responses were significantly reduced in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), the frontopolar cortex, and temporal regions in subjects with schizophrenia compared to HCs. Additionally, lateral PFC hemodynamic responses assessed during the working memory task demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the SCSQ theory of mind (ToM) subscale score even after controlling for working memory performance. These results suggest that ToM integrity is closely related to lateral PFC functional abnormalities found in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, this study provides evidence to suggest that NIRS could be used to identify biomarkers of social cognition function in subjects with schizophrenia.
Thermal Conductivity of Wurtzite Zinc-Oxide from First-Principles Lattice Dynamics – a Comparative Study with Gallium Nitride
Authors: Wu Xufei , Lee Jonghoon , Varshney Vikas , Wohlwend Jennifer L. , Roy Ajit K. , Luo Tengfei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWurtzite Zinc-Oxide (w-ZnO) is a wide bandgap semiconductor that holds promise in power electronics applications, where heat dissipation is of critical importance. However, large discrepancies exist in the literature on the thermal conductivity of w-ZnO. In this paper, we determine the thermal conductivity of w-ZnO using first-principles lattice dynamics and compare it to that of wurtzite Gallium-Nitride (w-GaN) – another important wide bandgap semiconductor with the same crystal structure and similar atomic masses as w-ZnO. However, the thermal conductivity values show large differences (400 W/mK of w-GaN vs. 50 W/mK of w-ZnO at room temperature). It is found that the much lower thermal conductivity of ZnO originates from the smaller phonon group velocities, larger three-phonon scattering phase space and larger anharmonicity. Compared to w-GaN, w-ZnO has a smaller frequency gap in phonon dispersion, which is responsible for the stronger anharmonic phonon scattering and the weaker interatomic bonds in w-ZnO leads to smaller phonon group velocities. The thermal conductivity of w-ZnO also shows strong size effect with nano-sized grains or structures. The results from this work help identify the cause of large discrepancies in w-ZnO thermal conductivity and will provide in-depth understanding of phonon dynamics for the design of w-ZnO-based electronics.
Distinct effects of folate pathway genes MTHFR and MTHFD1L on ruminative response style: a potential risk mechanism for depression
Authors: Eszlari N , Kovacs D , Petschner P , Pap D , Gonda X , Elliott R , Anderson I M , Deakin J F W , Bagdy G , Juhasz G 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAlterations in the folate pathway have been related to both major depression and cognitive inflexibility; however, they have not been investigated in the genetic background of ruminative response style, which is a form of perseverative cognition and a risk factor for depression. In the present study, we explored the association of rumination (measured by the Ruminative Responses Scale) with polymorphisms of two distinct folate pathway genes, MTHFR rs1801133 (C677T) and MTHFD1L rs11754661, in a combined European white sample from Budapest, Hungary (n=895) and Manchester, United Kingdom (n=1309). Post hoc analysis investigated whether the association could be replicated in each of the two samples, and the relationship between folate pathway genes, rumination, lifetime depression and Brief Symptom Inventory depression score. Despite its functional effect on folate metabolism, the MTHFR rs1801133 showed no effect on rumination. However, the A allele of MTHFD1L rs11754661 was significantly associated with greater rumination, and this effect was replicated in both the Budapest and Manchester samples. In addition, rumination completely mediated the effects of MTHFD1L rs11754661 on depression phenotypes. These findings suggest that the MTHFD1L gene, and thus the C1-THF synthase enzyme of the folate pathway localized in mitochondria, has an important effect on the pathophysiology of depression through rumination, and maybe via this cognitive intermediate phenotype on other mental and physical disorders. Further research should unravel whether the reversible metabolic effect of MTHFD1L is responsible for increased rumination or other long-term effects on brain development.
Slow-binding inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by an alkylammonium derivative of 6-methyluracil: mechanism and possible advantages for myasthenia gravis treatment
Authors: Kharlamova Alexandra D. , Lushchekina Sofya V. , Petrov Konstantin A. , Kots Ekaterina D. , Nachon Florian , Villard-Wandhammer Marielle , Zueva Irina V. , Krejci Eric , Reznik Vladimir S. , Zobov Vladimir V. , Nikolsky Evgeny E. , Masson Patrick 
Published: March 2016

Inhibition of human AChE (acetylcholinesterase) and BChE (butyrylcholinesterase) by an alkylammonium derivative of 6-methyluracil, C-547, a potential drug for the treatment of MG (myasthenia gravis) was studied. Kinetic analysis of AChE inhibition showed that C-547 is a slow-binding inhibitor of type B, i.e. after formation of the initial enzyme·inhibitor complex (Ki=140 pM), an induced-fit step allows establishment of the final complex (Ki*=22 pM). The estimated koff is low, 0.05 min−1. On the other hand, reversible inhibition of human BChE is a fast-binding process of mixed-type (Ki=1.77 μM; Ki′=3.17 μM). The crystal structure of mouse AChE complexed with C-547 was solved at 3.13 Å resolution. The complex is stabilized by cation–π, stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations of the binding/dissociation processes of C-547 and C-35 (a non-charged analogue) to mouse and human AChEs were performed. Molecular modelling on mouse and human AChE showed that the slow step results from an enzyme conformational change that allows C-547 to cross the bottleneck in the active-site gorge, followed by formation of tight complex, as observed in the crystal structure. In contrast, the related non-charged compound C-35 is not a slow-binding inhibitor. It does not cross the bottleneck because it is not sensitive to the electrostatic driving force to reach the bottom of the gorge. Thus C-547 is one of the most potent and selective reversible inhibitors of AChE with a long residence time, τ=20 min, longer than for other reversible inhibitors used in the treatment of MG. This makes C-547 a promising drug for the treatment of this disease.
A Comparison of Alternating Polarity and Forward Masking Artifact-Reduction Methods to Resolve the Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential
Authors: Baudhuin Jacquelyn L. , Hughes Michelle L. , Goehring Jenny L. 
Published: March 2016

Objective:
Cochlear implant manufacturers utilize different artifact-reduction methods to measure electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) in the clinical software. Two commercially available artifact-reduction techniques include forward masking (FwdMsk) and alternating polarity (AltPol). AltPol assumes that responses to the opposing polarities are equal, which is likely problematic. On the other hand, FwdMsk can yield inaccurate waveforms if the masker does not effectively render all neurons into a refractory state. The goal of this study was to compare ECAP thresholds, amplitudes, and slopes of the amplitude growth functions (AGFs) using FwdMsk and AltPol to determine whether the two methods yield similar results.

Design:
ECAP AGFs were obtained from three electrode regions (basal, middle, and apical) across 24 ears in 20 Cochlear Ltd. recipients using both FwdMsk and AltPol methods. AltPol waveforms could not be resolved for recipients of devices with the older-generation chip (CI24R(CS); N = 6).

Results:
Results comparing FwdMsk and AltPol in the CI24RE- and CI512-generation devices showed significant differences in threshold, AGF slope, and amplitude between methods. FwdMsk resulted in lower visual-detection thresholds (p < 0.001), shallower slopes (p = 0.004), and larger amplitudes (p = 0.03) compared with AltPol.

Conclusions:
Results from this study are consistent with recent findings showing differences in ECAP amplitude and latency between polarities for human CI recipients. When averaged, these differences likely result in a reduced ECAP response with AltPol. The next step will be to separate the effects of artifact-reduction method and stimulus polarity to determine the relative effects of each.
Unilateral Spontaneous Descemet Membrane Rupture in a Case With Megalophthalmos
Authors: Güler Emre , Totan Yüksel , Hepşen İbrahim F. , Tenlik Aylin 
Published: March 2016

Objective:
To report a case of unilateral spontaneous descemet membrane rupture associated with megalophthalmos.

Methods:
A case report of a 23-year-old woman with blurred vision of the right eye for 6 months due to spontaneous descemet membrane rupture associated with megalophthalmos is described. Slit-lamp examination demonstrated corneal edema and suggestion of a descemet membrane rupture in the right eye.

Results:
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography verified the presence of a ruptured descemet membrane separated from the nasal posterior cornea along with corneal edema and intraepithelial cystic lesions. With A-scan ultrasonography, axial lengths were 32 and 28 mm in OD and OS, respectively. Indirect gonioscopy demonstrated a wide iridocorneal angle and a ciliary body band, bilaterally. Corneal pachymetry measurements were performed with Pentacam HR Scheimpflug topography which measured the central corneal thickness 360 μ in OD and 300 μ in OS.

Conclusions:
Megalophthalmos and spontaneous descemet membrane rupture are rare conditions. To the best literature knowledge, this is the first report of descemet membrane rupture in megalophthalmos.
Increased Epithelial Gap Density in the Noninflamed Duodenum of Children With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Zaidi Deenaz , Bording‐Jorgensen Michael , Huynh Hien Q. , Carroll Matthew W. , Turcotte Jean‐Francois , Sergi Consolato , Liu Julia , Wine Eytan 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTObjectives:Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) present commonly in childhood, with unknown etiology, but an important role for the epithelial lining is suggested. Epithelial cell extrusion, measured by counting gaps between epithelial cells, is higher in adult patients with Crohn disease (CD) than in controls. Our objectives were to compare epithelial gaps in the duodenum of IBD and non‐IBD pediatric patients, to study the correlation between epithelial gaps, inflammation, and disease activity, and identify potential mechanisms.Methods:Epithelial gap density of the duodenum was evaluated using probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy in 26 pediatric patients with IBD (16 CD, 10 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 17 non‐IBD controls during endoscopy. Epithelial gaps were correlated with serum inflammatory markers, disease activity indices, and intraepithelial lymphocytes. A panel of 10 inflammatory cytokines and expression of TNFAIP3 (A20; inhibits NF–κβ‐induced inflammation) were analyzed in duodenal and ileal biopsies.Results:Confocal imaging showed significantly higher epithelial gap density in patients with IBD, including UC. Interleukin (IL)‐2 and IL‐8 were higher in duodenal but not ileal biopsies of patients with UC. No significant correlation was present between C‐reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, disease activity indices, and epithelial gaps in patients with UC. In patients with CD, C‐reactive protein positively correlated with epithelial gaps. A20 expression in the duodenum was unchanged among non‐IBD and IBD cases.Conclusions:Duodenal epithelial gaps are increased in pediatric patients with IBD (including UC) but are unrelated to inflammation. This suggests that altered epithelial barrier is an important systemic feature of pediatric IBD and is not only secondary to inflammation.
Perspective/Review: Regulating telomere length from the inside out: The replication fork model
Authors: Greider Carol W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTelomere length is regulated around an equilibrium set point. Telomeres shorten during replication and are lengthened by telomerase. Disruption of the length equilibrium leads to disease, thus it is important to understand the mechanisms that regulate length at the molecular level. The prevailing protein counting model for regulating telomerase access to elongate the telomere does not explain accumulating evidence of a role of DNA replication in telomere length regulation. Here I present an alternative model: the replication fork model that can explain how passage of a replication fork and regulation of origin firing affect telomere length.
China in Africa: a critical literature review
Authors: Ado Abdoulkadre , Su Zhan 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to critically assesses the major contributions to the academic literature on China’s increased focus on Africa, from 2001 to 2011. It discusses the key trends concerning China’s presence in Africa and draws conclusions on the significance of the studies by emphasizing and contrasting the prevailing positions.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on a qualitative approach using an integrative and comprehensive literature review, the authors performed a content analysis of high-impact, peer-reviewed papers.

Findings
– The paper questions and repositions some of the existing controversies. The results from existing studies remain questionable, requiring further clarification and more theoretical backing. It, moreover, highlights the notion that behind the explicit neutrality views of China’s presence in Africa, implicit assumptions may exist. These are often the differences in narratives conveyed by Western and Southern stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications
– Most of the conclusions drawn from this paper need to be re-explored and supported by additional research. This could be done by widening the scope of the analysis. Studies need to provide more empirical support for their assertions through quantitative data and evidence-based qualitative analyses

–
all within a framework that considers more cultural, social and historical dimensions. The paper also suggests that an institutionally based view appears most relevant in better explaining China in Africa.

Originality/value
– This paper reviews a decade of research on China in Africa and presents a snapshot of the current state of knowledge. It also raises concerns to be analyzed by future research and proposes new avenues for better understanding China’s presence in Africa.