bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic enrichment for the single cell analysis of circulating tumor cells
Authors: Yeo Trifanny , Tan Swee Jin , Lim Chew Leng , Lau Dawn Ping Xi , Chua Yong Wei , Krisna Sai Sakktee , Iyer Gopal , Tan Gek San , Lim Tony Kiat Hon , Tan Daniel S.W. , Lim Wan-Teck , Lim Chwee Teck 
Published: February 2016

AbstractResistance to drug therapy is a major concern in cancer treatment. To probe clones resistant to chemotherapy, the current approach is to conduct pooled cell analysis. However, this can yield false negative outcomes, especially when we are analyzing a rare number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) among an abundance of other cell types. Here, we develop a microfluidic device that is able to perform high throughput, selective picking and isolation of single CTC to 100% purity from a larger population of other cells. This microfluidic device can effectively separate the very rare CTCs from blood samples from as few as 1 in 20,000 white blood cells. We first demonstrate isolation of pure tumor cells from a mixed population and track variations of acquired T790M mutations before and after drug treatment using a model PC9 cell line. With clinical CTC samples, we then show that the isolated single CTCs are representative of dominant EGFR mutations such as T790M and L858R found in the primary tumor. With this single cell recovery device, we can potentially implement personalized treatment not only through detecting genetic aberrations at the single cell level, but also through tracking such changes during an anticancer therapy.
Dense blocks of energetic ions driven by multi-petawatt lasers
Authors: Weng S. M. , Liu M. , Sheng Z. M. , Murakami M. , Chen M. , Yu L. L. , Zhang J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractLaser-driven ion accelerators have the advantages of compact size, high density and short bunch duration over conventional accelerators. Nevertheless, it is still challenging to simultaneously enhance the yield and quality of laser-driven ion beams for practical applications. Here we propose a scheme to address this challenge via the use of emerging multi-petawatt lasers and a density-modulated target. The density-modulated target permits its ions to be uniformly accelerated as a dense block by laser radiation pressure. In addition, the beam quality of the accelerated ions is remarkably improved by embedding the target in a thick enough substrate, which suppresses hot electron refluxing and thus alleviates plasma heating. Particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that almost all ions in a solid-density plasma of a few microns can be uniformly accelerated to about 25% of the speed of light by a laser pulse at an intensity around 1022 W/cm2. The resulting dense block of energetic ions may drive fusion ignition and more generally create matter with unprecedented high energy density.
In vivo optical imaging of MMP2 immuno protein antibody: tumor uptake is associated with MMP2 activity
Authors: Panth Kranthi Marella , van den Beucken Twan , Biemans Rianne , Lieuwes Natasja G. , Weber Marcel , Losen Mario , Yaromina Ala , Dubois Ludwig J. , Lambin Philippe 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMatrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) is important in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and tumor invasion. In this study, we investigated if the Cy5-tagged small immuno protein targeting the catalytic domain of human MMP2 (aMMP2-SIP) detects MMP2 in tumors non-invasively. For this purpose, we generated MMP2 expressing (empty vector EV) and knock-down (KD) HT1080, U373 and U87 cells, which were injected subcutaneously in the lateral flank of NMRI-nu mice. Optical imaging (Optix MX2) performed at 0.5, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hour post injection (h.p.i.) of Cy5 tagged aMMP2-SIP, indicated significantly lower tumor to background ratios at both 24 (P = 0.0090) and 48 h.p.i. (P < 0.0001) for the U87 MMP2-KD compared to control tumors. No differences were found for HT1080 and U373 models. U87 MMP2-KD tumors had significantly lower MMP2 activity (P < 0.0001) than EV tumors as determined by gelatin zymography in tumor sections and lysates, while no differences were observed between EV and MMP2-KD in HT1080 and U373. In line with these data, only U87 MMP2-KD tumors had a reduced tumor growth compared to control tumors (P = 0.0053). aMMP2-SIP uptake correlates with MMP2 activity and might therefore be a potential non-invasive imaging biomarker for the evaluation of MMP2 activity in tumors.
Temperature sensitivity and enzymatic mechanisms of soil organic matter decomposition along an altitudinal gradient on Mount Kilimanjaro
Authors: Blagodatskaya Еvgenia , Blagodatsky Sergey , Khomyakov Nikita , Myachina Olga , Kuzyakov Yakov 
Published: February 2016

AbstractShort-term acceleration of soil organic matter decomposition by increasing temperature conflicts with the thermal adaptation observed in long-term studies. Here we used the altitudinal gradient on Mt. Kilimanjaro to demonstrate the mechanisms of thermal adaptation of extra- and intracellular enzymes that hydrolyze cellulose, chitin and phytate and oxidize monomers (14C-glucose) in warm- and cold-climate soils. We revealed that no response of decomposition rate to temperature occurs because of a cancelling effect consisting in an increase in half-saturation constants (Km), which counteracts the increase in maximal reaction rates (Vmax with temperature). We used the parameters of enzyme kinetics to predict thresholds of substrate concentration (Scrit) below which decomposition rates will be insensitive to global warming. Increasing values of Scrit, and hence stronger canceling effects with increasing altitude on Mt. Kilimanjaro, explained the thermal adaptation of polymer decomposition. The reduction of the temperature sensitivity of Vmax along the altitudinal gradient contributed to thermal adaptation of both polymer and monomer degradation. Extrapolating the altitudinal gradient to the large-scale latitudinal gradient, these results show that the soils of cold climates with stronger and more frequent temperature variation are less sensitive to global warming than soils adapted to high temperatures.
Cobalt oxide nanoparticles can enter inside the cells by crossing plasma membranes
Authors: Bossi Elena , Zanella Daniele , Gornati Rosalba , Bernardini Giovanni 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe ability of nanoparticles (NPs) to be promptly uptaken by the cells makes them both dangerous and useful to human health. It was recently postulated that some NPs might cross the plasma membrane also by a non-endocytotic pathway gaining access to the cytoplasm. To this aim, after having filled mature Xenopus oocytes with Calcein, whose fluorescence is strongly quenched by divalent metal ions, we have exposed them to different cobalt NPs quantifying quenching as evidence of the increase of the concentration of Co2+ released by the NPs that entered into the cytoplasm. We demonstrated that cobalt oxide NPs, but not cobalt nor cobalt oxide NPs that were surrounded by a protein corona, can indeed cross plasma membranes.
Autoimmune Responses to Soluble Aggregates of Amyloidogenic Proteins Involved in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Overlapping Aggregation Prone and Autoimmunogenic regions
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Thangakani A. Mary , Nagarajan R. , Singh Satish K. , Velmurugan D. , Gromiha M. Michael 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWhy do patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases generate autoantibodies that selectively bind soluble aggregates of amyloidogenic proteins? Presently, molecular basis of interactions between the soluble aggregates and human immune system is unknown. By analyzing sequences of experimentally validated T-cell autoimmune epitopes, aggregating peptides, amyloidogenic proteins and randomly generated peptides, here we report overlapping regions that likely drive aggregation as well as generate autoantibodies against the aggregates. Sequence features, that make short peptides susceptible to aggregation, increase their incidence in human T-cell autoimmune epitopes by 4–6 times. Many epitopes are predicted to be significantly aggregation prone (aggregation propensities ≥10%) and the ones containing experimentally validated aggregating regions are enriched in hydrophobicity by 10–20%. Aggregate morphologies also influence Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) - types recognized by the aggregating regions containing epitopes. Most (88%) epitopes that contain amyloid fibril forming regions bind HLA-DR, while majority (63%) of those containing amorphous β-aggregating regions bind HLA-DQ. More than two-thirds (70%) of human amyloidogenic proteins contain overlapping regions that are simultaneously aggregation prone and auto-immunogenic. Such regions help clear soluble aggregates by generating selective autoantibodies against them. This can be harnessed for early diagnosis of proteinopathies and for drug/vaccine design against them.
Isothiocyanates as effective agents against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli: insight to the mode of action
Authors: Nowicki Dariusz , Rodzik Olga , Herman-Antosiewicz Anna , Szalewska-Pałasz Agnieszka 
Published: February 2016

AbstractProduction of Shiga toxins by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) which is responsible for the pathogenicity of these strains, is strictly correlated with induction of lambdoid bacteriophages present in the host’s genome, replication of phage DNA and expression of stx genes. Antibiotic treatment of EHEC infection may lead to induction of prophage into a lytic development, thus increasing the risk of severe complications. This, together with the spread of multi-drug resistance, increases the need for novel antimicrobial agents. We report here that isothiocyanates (ITC), plant secondary metabolites, such as sulforaphane (SFN), allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), benzyl isothiocynanate (BITC), phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) and isopropyl isothiocyanate (IPRITC), inhibit bacterial growth and lytic development of stx-harboring prophages. The mechanism underlying the antimicrobial effect of ITCs involves the induction of global bacterial stress regulatory system, the stringent response. Its alarmone, guanosine penta/tetraphosphate ((p)ppGpp) affects major cellular processes, including nucleic acids synthesis, which leads to the efficient inhibition of both, prophage induction and toxin synthesis, abolishing in this way EHEC virulence for human and simian cells. Thus, ITCs could be considered as potential therapeutic agents in EHEC infections.
Tuning near-gap electronic structure, interface charge transfer and visible light response of hybrid doped graphene and Ag3PO4 composite: Dopant effects
Authors: He Chao-Ni , Huang Wei-Qing , Xu Liang , Yang Yin-Cai , Zhou Bing-Xin , Huang Gui-Fang , Peng P. , Liu Wu-Ming 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe enhanced photocatalytic performance of doped graphene (GR)/semiconductor nanocomposites have recently been widely observed, but an understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind it is still out of reach. As a model system to study the dopant effects, we investigate the electronic structures and optical properties of doped GR/Ag3PO4 nanocomposites using the first-principles calculations, demonstrating that the band gap, near-gap electronic structure and interface charge transfer of the doped GR/Ag3PO4(100) composite can be tuned by the dopants. Interestingly, the doping atom and C atoms bonded to dopant become active sites for photocatalysis because they are positively or negatively charged due to the charge redistribution caused by interaction. The dopants can enhance the visible light absorption and photoinduced electron transfer. We propose that the N atom may be one of the most appropriate dopants for the GR/Ag3PO4 photocatalyst. This work can rationalize the available experimental results about N-doped GR-semiconductor composites and enriches our understanding on the dopant effects in the doped GR-based composites for developing high-performance photocatalysts.
Cadmium Sulfide and Nickel Synergetic Co-catalysts Supported on Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Yue Xinzheng , Yi Shasha , Wang Runwei , Zhang Zongtao , Qiu Shilun 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDesign and preparation of noble-metal-free photocatalysts is of great importance for photocatalytic water splitting harvesting solar energy. Here, we report the high visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution upon the hybrid photocatalyst system consisting of CdS nanocrystals and Ni@NiO nanoparticles grown on the surface of g-C3N4. The hybrid system shows a high H2-production rate of 1258.7 μmol h−1 g−1 in the presence of triethanolamine as a sacrificial electron donor under visible light irradiation. The synergetic catalytic mechanism has been studied and the results of photovoltaic and photoluminescence properties show that efficient electron transfer could be achieved from g-C3N4 to CdS nanocrystals and subsequently to Ni@NiO hybrid.
Epitaxial growth of iridate pyrochlore Nd2Ir2O7 films
Authors: Gallagher J. C. , Esser B. D. , Morrow R. , Dunsiger S. R. , Williams R. E. A. , Woodward P. M. , McComb D. W. , Yang F. Y. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractEpitaxial films of the pyrochlore Nd2Ir2O7 have been grown on (111)-oriented yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by off-axis sputtering followed by post-growth annealing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrate phase-pure epitaxial growth of the pyrochlore films on YSZ. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) investigation of an Nd2Ir2O7 film with a short post-annealing provides insight into the mechanism for crystallization of Nd2Ir2O7 during the post-annealing process. STEM images reveal clear pyrochlore ordering of Nd and Ir in the films. The epitaxial relationship between the YSZ and Nd2Ir2O7 is observed clearly while some interfacial regions show a thin region with polycrystalline Ir nanocrystals.
Abundant box jellyfish, Chironex sp. (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropidae), discovered at depths of over 50 m on western Australian coastal reefs
Authors: Keesing John K. , Strzelecki Joanna , Stowar Marcus , Wakeford Mary , Miller Karen J. , Gershwin Lisa-Ann , Liu Dongyan 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBox jellyfish cause human fatalities and have a life cycle and habit associated with shallow waters (<5 m) in mangrove creeks, coastal beaches, embayments. In north-western Australia, tow video and epibenthic sled surveys discovered large numbers (64 in a 1500 m tow or 0.05 m−2) of Chironex sp. very near to the benthos (<50 cm) at depths of 39–56 m. This is the first record of a population of box jellyfish closely associated with the benthos at such depths. Chironex were not widespread, occurring only in 2 of 33 tow videos and 3 of 41 epibenthic sleds spread over 2000 km2. All Chironex filmed or captured were on low to medium relief reefs with rich filter feeder communities. None were on soft sediment habitat despite these habitats comprising 49% of all sites. The importance of the reef habitat to Chironex remains unclear. Being associated with filter feeder communities might represent a hazard, and other studies have shown C. fleckeri avoid habitats which represent a risk of entanglement of their tentacles. Most of our observations were made during the period of lowest tidal current flow in the morning. This may represent a period favourable for active hunting for prey close to the seabed.
A new switching parameter varying optoelectronic delayed feedback model with computer simulation
Authors: Liu Lingfeng , Miao Suoxia , Cheng Mengfan , Gao Xiaojing 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this paper, a new switching parameter varying optoelectronic delayed feedback model is proposed and analyzed by computer simulation. This model is switching between two parameter varying optoelectronic delayed feedback models based on chaotic pseudorandom sequences. Complexity performance results show that this model has a high complexity compared to the original model. Furthermore, this model can conceal the time delay effectively against the auto-correlation function, delayed mutual information and permutation information analysis methods, and can extent the key space, which greatly improve its security.
Morphology-dependent Electrochemical Enhancements of Porous Carbon as Sensitive Determination Platform for Ascorbic Acid, Dopamine and Uric Acid
Authors: Cheng Qin , Ji Liudi , Wu Kangbing , Zhang Weikang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractUsing starch as the carbon precursor and different-sized ZnO naoparticles as the hard template, a series of porous carbon materials for electrochemical sensing were prepared. Experiments of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms reveal that the particle size of ZnO has big impacts on the porous morphology and surface area of the resulting carbon materials. Through ultrasonic dispersion of porous carbon and subsequent solvent evaporation, different sensing interfaces were constructed on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical behaviors of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) were studied. On the surface of porous carbon materials, the accumulation efficiency and electron transfer ability of AA, DA and UA are improved, and consequently their oxidation signals enhance greatly. Moreover, the interface enhancement effects of porous carbon are also controlled by the particle size of hard template. The constructed porous carbon interface displays strong signal amplification ability and holds great promise in constructing a sensitive platform for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA and UA.
Generalized Negative Reciprocity in the Dictator Game – How to Interrupt the Chain of Unfairness
Authors: Strang Sabrina , Grote Xenia , Kuss Katarina , Park Soyoung Q. , Weber Bernd 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHumans are tremendously sensitive to unfairness. Unfairness provokes strong negative emotional reactions and influences our subsequent decision making. These decisions might not only have consequences for ourselves and the person who treated us unfairly but can even transmit to innocent third persons – a phenomenon that has been referred to as generalized negative reciprocity. In this study we aimed to investigate whether regulation of emotions can interrupt this chain of unfairness. Real allocations in a dictator game were used to create unfair situations. Three different regulation strategies, namely writing a message to the dictator who made an unfair offer, either forwarded or not forwarded, describing a neutral picture and a control condition in which subjects just had to wait for three minutes, were then tested on their ability to influence the elicited emotions. Subsequently participants were asked to allocate money between themselves and a third person. We show that writing a message which is forwarded to the unfair actor is an effective emotion regulation strategy and that those participants who regulated their emotions successfully by writing a message made higher allocations to a third person. Thus, using message writing as an emotion regulation strategy can interrupt the chain of unfairness.
Questioning the role of the frontopolar cortex in multi-component behavior – a TMS/EEG study
Authors: Gohil Krutika , Dippel Gabriel , Beste Christian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCognitive control is central to many every day situations. There, we usually have to combine different actions to achieve a task goal. Several lines of research indicated that areas in the prefrontal cortex determine cognitive control in situations requiring multi-component behavior. One of this is the frontopolar cortex (FPC). However, direct non-correlative evidence for this notion is widely lacking. In the current study we test the importance of the FPC for the implementation of action cascading processes in a TMS/EEG study. The data, however, clearly show that the FPC does not modulate behavioral or neurophysiological parameters reflecting action cascading, which is in contrast to the findings of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The results are supported by a Bayesian analysis of the data. The results suggest that a possible role of the FPC in multi-component behavior needs to be refined. At least in situations, where multi-component behavior is achieved by stopping and switching processes and does not impose high demands on working memory processes the FPC seems to play no role in the implementation of this major cognitive control function.
Internal dynamics of intense twin beams and their coherence
Authors: Peřina Jan , Haderka Ondřej , Allevi Alessia , Bondani Maria 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe dynamics of intense twin beams in pump-depleted parametric down-conversion is studied. A generalized parametric approximation is suggested to solve the quantum model. Its comparison with a semiclassical model valid for larger twin-beam intensities confirms its applicability. The experimentally observed maxima in the spectral and spatial intensity auto- and cross- correlation functions depending on pump power are explained in terms of different speeds of the (back-) flow of energy between the individual down-converted modes and the corresponding pump modes. This effect is also responsible for the gradual replacement of the initial exponential growth of the down-converted fields by the linear one. Furthermore, it forms a minimum in the curve giving the effective number of twin-beam modes. These effects manifest a tight relation between the twin-beam coherence and its internal structure, as clearly visible in the model. Multiple maxima in the intensity correlation functions originating in the oscillations of energy flow between the pump and down-converted modes are theoretically predicted.
Anemia rather than hypertension contributes to cerebral hyperperfusion in young adults undergoing hemodialysis: A phase contrast MRI study
Authors: Zheng Gang , Wen Jiqiu , Yu Wenkui , Li Xue , Zhang Zhe , Chen Huijuan , Kong Xiang , Luo Song , Jiang Xiaolu , Liu Ya , Zhang Zongjun , Zhang Long Jiang , Lu Guang Ming 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCerebral hyperperfusion, anemia and hypertension are common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Young ESRD adults might afford a better hemodynamic tolerance; however, their cerebral vascular disorders are often overlooked. This phase-contrast MRI study investigated relationships between cerebral blood flow (CBF), anemia and hypertension in young adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Blood flows, velocities and cross-sectional areas of bilateral internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries were quantified on phase maps in 33 patients and 27 healthy controls. Cerebral oxygen delivery (COD) and vascular resistance were (CVR) were computed based on CBF, hemoglobin and mean arterial pressure (MAP). We found strong correlations among hemoglobin, MAP and CBF. Hemoglobin rather than MAP was directly related to CBF. COD was negatively related to MAP, while CVR was positively related to hemoglobin. The cross-sectional areas of arteries were increased which were directly associated with hemoglobin rather than MAP. HD patients were of elevated CBF, decreased COD and unchanged CVR. Although elevated CBF compensated anemia-induced hypoxia, COD of these patients was still lower. Anemia directly contributed to elevated CBF and hypertension affected CBF through anemia. Unaffected CVR of young patients probably indicated that they could maintain basic functions of cerebral circulation under multiple risk factors.