bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Large Area Graphene for High Performance in Flexible Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Polat Emre O. , Balci Osman , Kakenov Nurbek , Uzlu Hasan Burkay , Kocabas Coskun , Dahiya Ravinder 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis work demonstrates an attractive low-cost route to obtain large area and high-quality graphene films by using the ultra-smooth copper foils which are typically used as the negative electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. We first compared the electronic transport properties of our new graphene film with the one synthesized by using commonly used standard copper foils in chemical vapor deposition (CVD). We observed a stark improvement in the electrical performance of the transistors realized on our graphene films. To study the optical properties on large area, we transferred CVD based graphene to transparent flexible substrates using hot lamination method and performed large area optical scanning. We demonstrate the promise of our high quality graphene films for large areas with ~400 cm2 flexible optical modulators. We obtained a profound light modulation over a broad spectrum by using the fabricated large area transparent graphene supercapacitors and we compared the performance of our devices with the one based on graphene from standard copper. We propose that the copper foils used in the lithium-ion batteries could be used to obtain high-quality graphene at much lower-cost, with the improved performance of electrical transport and optical properties in the devices made from them.
Differential immunogenicity between HAdV-5 and chimpanzee adenovirus vector ChAdOx1 is independent of fiber and penton RGD loop sequences in mice
Authors: Dicks Matthew D. J. , Spencer Alexandra J. , Coughlan Lynda , Bauza Karolis , Gilbert Sarah C. , Hill Adrian V. S. , Cottingham Matthew G. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractReplication defective adenoviruses are promising vectors for the delivery of vaccine antigens. However, the potential of a vector to elicit transgene-specific adaptive immune responses is largely dependent on the viral serotype used. HAdV-5 (Human adenovirus C) vectors are more immunogenic than chimpanzee adenovirus vectors from species Human adenovirus E (ChAdOx1 and AdC68) in mice, though the mechanisms responsible for these differences in immunogenicity remain poorly understood. In this study, superior immunogenicity was associated with markedly higher levels of transgene expression in vivo, particularly within draining lymph nodes. To investigate the viral factors contributing to these phenotypes, we generated recombinant ChAdOx1 vectors by exchanging components of the viral capsid reported to be principally involved in cell entry with the corresponding sequences from HAdV-5. Remarkably, pseudotyping with the HAdV-5 fiber and/or penton RGD loop had little to no effect on in vivo transgene expression or transgene-specific adaptive immune responses despite considerable species-specific sequence heterogeneity in these components. Our results suggest that mechanisms governing vector transduction after intramuscular administration in mice may be different from those described in vitro.
High yield extraction of pure spinal motor neurons, astrocytes and microglia from single embryo and adult mouse spinal cord
Authors: Beaudet Marie-Josée , Yang Qiurui , Cadau Sébastien , Blais Mathieu , Bellenfant Sabrina , Gros-Louis François , Berthod François 
Published: November 2015

AbstractExtraction of mouse spinal motor neurons from transgenic mouse embryos recapitulating some aspects of neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has met with limited success. Furthermore, extraction and long-term culture of adult mouse spinal motor neurons and glia remain also challenging. We present here a protocol designed to extract and purify high yields of motor neurons and glia from individual spinal cords collected on embryos and adult (5-month-old) normal or transgenic mice. This method is based on mild digestion of tissue followed by gradient density separation allowing to obtain two millions motor neurons over 92% pure from one E14.5 single embryo and more than 30,000 from an adult mouse. These cells can be cultured more than 14 days in vitro at a density of 100,000 cells/cm2 to maintain optimal viability. Functional astrocytes and microglia and small gamma motor neurons can be purified at the same time. This protocol will be a powerful and reliable method to obtain motor neurons and glia to better understand mechanisms underlying spinal cord diseases.
Solid Solutions of Rare Earth Cations in Mesoporous Anatase Beads and Their Performances in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Cavallo Carmen , Salleo Alberto , Gozzi Daniele , Di Pascasio Francesco , Quaranta Simone , Panetta Riccardo , Latini Alessandro 
Published: November 2015

AbstractSolid solutions of the rare earth (RE) cations Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Er3+ and Yb3+ in anatase TiO2 have been synthesized as mesoporous beads in the concentration range 0.1–0.3% of metal atoms. The solid solutions were have been characterized by XRD, SEM, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET and BJH surface analysis. All the solid solutions possess high specific surface areas, up to more than 100 m2/g. The amount of adsorbed dye in each photoanode has been determined spectrophotometrically. All the samples were tested as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using N719 as dye and a nonvolatile, benzonitrile based electrolyte. All the cells were have been tested by conversion efficiency (J–V), quantum efficiency (IPCE), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and dark current measurements. While lighter RE cations (Pr3+, Nd3+) limit the performance of DSSCs compared to pure anatase mesoporous beads, cations from Sm3+ onwards enhance the performance of the devices. A maximum conversion efficiency of 8.7% for Er3+ at a concentration of 0.2% has been achieved. This is a remarkable efficiency value for a DSSC employing N719 dye without co-adsorbents and a nonvolatile electrolyte. For each RE cation the maximum performances are obtained for a concentration of 0.2% metal atoms.
Not seeing or feeling is still believing: conscious and non-conscious pain modulation after direct and observational learning
Authors: Egorova Natalia , Park Joel , Orr Scott P. , Kirsch Irving , Gollub Randy L. , Kong Jian 
Published: November 2015

AbstractOur experience with the world is shaped not only directly through personal exposure but also indirectly through observing others and learning from their experiences. Using a conditioning paradigm, we investigated how directly and observationally learned information can affect pain perception, both consciously and non-consciously. Differences between direct and observed cues were manifest in higher pain ratings and larger skin conductance responses to directly experienced cues. However, the pain modulation effects produced by conditioning were of comparable magnitude for direct and observational learning. These results suggest that social observation can induce positive and negative pain modulation. Importantly, the fact that cues learned by observation and activated non-consciously still produced a robust conditioning effect that withstood extinction highlights the role of indirect exposure in placebo and nocebo effects.
Crosstalk between SDF-1/CXCR4 and SDF-1/CXCR7 in cardiac stem cell migration
Authors: Chen Dong , Xia Yanli , Zuo Ke , Wang Ying , Zhang Shiying , Kuang Dong , Duan Yaqi , Zhao Xia , Wang Guoping 
Published: November 2015

AbstractStromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is a chemokine that can be expressed in injured cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction (MI). By combining with its receptor CXCR4, SDF-1 induced stem and progenitor cells migration. CXCR7, a novel receptor for SDF-1, has been identified recently. We aimed to explore the roles of SDF-1/CXCR4 and SDF-1/CXCR7 pathway and their crosstalk in CSCs migration. In the present study, CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression were identified in CSCs. Transwell assay showed that SDF-1 caused CSCs migration in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which could be significantly suppressed by CXCR4 or CXCR7 siRNA. Phospho-ERK, phospho-Akt and Raf-1 significantly elevated in CSCs with SDF-1 stimulation. Knockdown of CXCR4 or CXCR7 significantly decreased phospho-ERK or phospho-Akt, respectively and eventually resulted in the inhibition of CSCs migration. Moreover, western blot showed that MK2206 (Akt inhibitor) increased the expression of phospho-ERK and Raf-1, whereas PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) had no effect on phospho-Akt and Raf-1. GW5074 (Raf-1 inhibitor) upregulated the expression of phospho-ERK, but had no effect on phospho-Akt. The present study indicated that SDF-1/CXCR7/Akt and SDF-1/CXCR4/ERK pathway played important roles in CSCs migration. Akt phosphorylation inhibited Raf-1 activity, which in turn dephosphorylated ERK and negatively regulated CSCs migration.
Fully automatic GBM segmentation in the TCGA-GBM dataset: Prognosis and correlation with VASARI features
Authors: Rios Velazquez Emmanuel , Meier Raphael , Dunn Jr William D. , Alexander Brian , Wiest Roland , Bauer Stefan , Gutman David A. , Reyes Mauricio , Aerts Hugo J.W.L. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractReproducible definition and quantification of imaging biomarkers is essential. We evaluated a fully automatic MR-based segmentation method by comparing it to manually defined sub-volumes by experienced radiologists in the TCGA-GBM dataset, in terms of sub-volume prognosis and association with VASARI features. MRI sets of 109 GBM patients were downloaded from the Cancer Imaging archive. GBM sub-compartments were defined manually and automatically using the Brain Tumor Image Analysis (BraTumIA). Spearman’s correlation was used to evaluate the agreement with VASARI features. Prognostic significance was assessed using the C-index. Auto-segmented sub-volumes showed moderate to high agreement with manually delineated volumes (range (r): 0.4 – 0.86). Also, the auto and manual volumes showed similar correlation with VASARI features (auto r = 0.35, 0.43 and 0.36; manual r = 0.17, 0.67, 0.41, for contrast-enhancing, necrosis and edema, respectively). The auto-segmented contrast-enhancing volume and post-contrast abnormal volume showed the highest AUC (0.66, CI: 0.55–0.77 and 0.65, CI: 0.54–0.76), comparable to manually defined volumes (0.64, CI: 0.53–0.75 and 0.63, CI: 0.52–0.74, respectively). BraTumIA and manual tumor sub-compartments showed comparable performance in terms of prognosis and correlation with VASARI features. This method can enable more reproducible definition and quantification of imaging based biomarkers and has potential in high-throughput medical imaging research.
Structural basis of Sorcin-mediated calcium-dependent signal transduction
Authors: Ilari Andrea , Fiorillo Annarita , Poser Elena , Lalioti Vasiliki S. , Sundell Gustav N. , Ivarsson Ylva , Genovese Ilaria , Colotti Gianni 
Published: November 2015

AbstractSorcin is an essential penta-EF hand calcium binding protein, able to confer the multi-drug resistance phenotype to drug-sensitive cancer cells and to reduce Endoplasmic Reticulum stress and cell death. Sorcin silencing blocks cell cycle progression in mitosis and induces cell death by triggering apoptosis. Sorcin participates in the modulation of calcium homeostasis and in calcium-dependent cell signalling in normal and cancer cells. The molecular basis of Sorcin action is yet unknown. The X-ray structures of Sorcin in the apo (apoSor) and in calcium bound form (CaSor) reveal the structural basis of Sorcin action: calcium binding to the EF1-3 hands promotes a large conformational change, involving a movement of the long D-helix joining the EF1-EF2 sub-domain to EF3 and the opening of EF1. This movement promotes the exposure of a hydrophobic pocket, which can accommodate in CaSor the portion of its N-terminal domain displaying the consensus binding motif identified by phage display experiments. This domain inhibits the interaction of sorcin with PDCD6, a protein that carries the Sorcin consensus motif, co-localizes with Sorcin in the perinuclear region of the cell and in the midbody and is involved in the onset of apoptosis.
Sequential splicing of a group II twintron in the marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium
Authors: Pfreundt Ulrike , Hess Wolfgang R. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is unusual in its genomic architecture as 40% of the genome is occupied by non-coding DNA. Although the majority of it is transcribed into RNA, it is not well understood why such a large non-coding genome fraction is maintained. Mobile genetic elements can contribute to genome expansion. Many bacteria harbor introns whereas twintrons, introns-in-introns, are rare and not known to interrupt protein-coding genes in bacteria. Here we show the sequential in vivo splicing of a 5400 nt long group II twintron interrupting a highly conserved gene that is associated with RNase HI in some cyanobacteria, but free-standing in others, including Trichodesmium erythraeum. We show that twintron splicing results in a putatively functional mRNA. The full genetic arrangement was found conserved in two geospatially distinct metagenomic datasets supporting its functional relevance. We further show that splicing of the inner intron yields the free intron as a true circle. This reaction requires the spliced exon reopening (SER) reaction to provide a free 5′ exon. The fact that Trichodesmium harbors a functional twintron fits in well with the high intron load of these genomes and suggests peculiarities in its genetic machinery permitting such arrangements.
ERK2 mediates inner hair cell survival and decreases susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss
Authors: Kurioka Takaomi , Matsunobu Takeshi , Satoh Yasushi , Niwa Katsuki , Endo Shogo , Fujioka Masato , Shiotani Akihiro 
Published: November 2015

AbstractExtracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a member of the family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and coordinately regulates a multitude of cellular processes. In response to a variety of extracellular stimuli, phosphorylation of both threonine and tyrosine residues activates ERK. Recent evidence indicates that ERK is activated in response to cellular stress such as acoustic trauma. However, the specific role of ERK isoforms in auditory function is not fully understood. Here, we show that the isoform ERK2 plays an important role in regulating hair cell (HC) survival and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in mice (C57BL/6J). We found that conditional knockout mice deficient for Erk2 in the inner ear HCs had hearing comparable to control mice and exhibited no HC loss under normal conditions. However, we found that these knockout mice were more vulnerable to noise and had blunted recovery from NIHL compared to control mice. Furthermore, we observed a significantly lower survival rate of inner hair cells in these mice compared to control mice. Our results indicate that ERK2 plays important roles in the survival of HC in NIHL.
Impact of doping on the carrier dynamics in graphene
Authors: Kadi Faris , Winzer Torben , Knorr Andreas , Malic Ermin 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWe present a microscopic study on the impact of doping on the carrier dynamics in graphene, in particular focusing on its influence on the technologically relevant carrier multiplication in realistic, doped graphene samples. Treating the time- and momentum-resolved carrier-light, carrier-carrier and carrier-phonon interactions on the same microscopic footing, the appearance of Auger-induced carrier multiplication up to a Fermi level of 300 meV is revealed. Furthermore, we show that doping favors the so-called hot carrier multiplication occurring within one band. Our results are directly compared to recent time-resolved ARPES measurements and exhibit an excellent agreement on the temporal evolution of the hot carrier multiplication for n- and p-doped graphene. The gained insights shed light on the ultrafast carrier dynamics in realistic, doped graphene samples.
Decoupling gain and feedback in coherent random lasers: experiments and simulations
Authors: Consoli Antonio , López Cefe 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWe propose and demonstrate a coherent random laser in which the randomly distributed scattering centres are placed outside the active region. This architecture is implemented by enclosing a dye solution between two agglomerations of randomly positioned titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The same spectral signature, consisting of sharp spikes with random spectral positions, is detected emerging from both ensembles of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. We interpret this newly observed behaviour as due to the optical feedback given by back-scattered light from the scattering agglomerations, which also act as output couplers. A simple model is presented to simulate the observed behaviour, considering the amplitude and phase round trip conditions that must be satisfied to sustain lasing action. Numerical simulations reproduce the experimental reports, validating our simple model. The presented results suggest a new theoretical and experimental approach for studying the complex behavior of coherent random lasers and stimulate the realization of new devices based on the proposed architecture, with different active and scattering materials.
Novel electrochemical redox-active species: one-step synthesis of polyaniline derivative-Au/Pd and its application for multiplexed immunoassay
Authors: Wang Liyuan , Feng Feng , Ma Zhanfang 
Published: November 2015

AbstractElectrochemical redox-active species play crucial role in electrochemically multiplexed immunoassays. A one-pot method for synthesizing four kinds of new electrochemical redox-active species was reported using HAuCl4 and Na2PdCl4 as dual oxidating agents and aniline derivatives as monomers. The synthesized polyaniline derivative-Au/Pd composites, namely poly(N-methyl-o-benzenediamine)-Au/Pd, poly(N-phenyl-o-phenylenediamine)-Au/Pd, poly(N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine)-Au/Pd and poly(3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine)-Au/Pd, exhibited electrochemical redox activity at −0.65 V, −0.3 V, 0.12 V and 0.5 V, respectively. Meanwhile, these composites showed high H2O2 electrocatalytic activity because of the presence of Au/Pd. The as-prepared composites were used as electrochemical immunoprobes in simultaneous detection of four tumor biomarkers (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA199), carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA724) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP)). This immunoassay shed light on potential applications in simultaneous gastric cancer (related biomarkers: CEA, CA199, CA724) and liver cancer diagnosis (related biomarkers: CEA, CA199, AFP). The present strategy to the synthesize redox species could be easily extended to other polymers such as polypyrrole derivatives and polythiophene derivatives. This would be of great significance in the electrochemical detection of more analytes.
Peritoneal VEGF-A expression is regulated by TGF-β1 through an ID1 pathway in women with endometriosis
Authors: Young Vicky J. , Ahmad Syed F. , Brown Jeremy K. , Duncan W. Colin , Horne Andrew W. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractVEGF-A, an angiogenic factor, is increased in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. The cytokine TGF-β1 is thought to play a role in the establishment of endometriosis lesions. Inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) proteins are transcriptional targets of TGF-β1 and ID1 has been implicated in VEGF-A regulation during tumor angiogenesis. Herein, we determined whether peritoneal expression of VEGF-A is regulated by TGF-β1 through the ID1 pathway in women with endometriosis. VEGF-A was measured in peritoneal fluid by ELISA (n = 16). VEGF-A and ID1 expression was examined in peritoneal biopsies (n = 13) and primary peritoneal and immortalized mesothelial cells (MeT5A) by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and ELISA. VEGF-A was increased in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis and levels correlated with TGF-β1 concentrations (P < 0.05). VEGF-A was immunolocalized to peritoneal mesothelium and TGF-β1 increased VEGFA mRNA (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.05) in mesothelial cells. ID1 was increased in peritoneum from women with endometriosis and TGF-β1 increased concentrations of ID1 mRNA (P < 0.05) in mesothelial cells. VEGF-A regulation through ID1 was confirmed by siRNA in MeT5A cells (P < 0.05). Our data supports role for ID1 in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, as an effector of TGFβ1 dependent upregulation of VEGF-A and highlights a novel potential therapeutic target.
The Chemistry of Cosmic Dust
Authors: Williams David A , Cecchi-Pestellini C 
Published: November 2015

It has been firmly established over the last quarter century that cosmic dust plays important roles in astrochemistry. The consequences of these roles affect the formation of planets, stars and even galaxies. Cosmic dust has been a controversial topic but there is now a considerable measure of agreement as to its nature and roles in astronomy, and its initiation of astrobiology. The subject has stimulated an enormous research effort, with researchers in many countries now involved in laboratory research and in ab initio computations.
This is the first book devoted to a study of the chemistry of cosmic dust, presenting current thinking on the subject distilled from many publications in surface and solid-state science, and in astronomy. The authors discuss the nature of dust, its formation and evolution, the chemistry it can promote on its surfaces, and the consequences of these functions. The purpose of this book is to review current understanding and to indicate where future work is required.
Mainly intended for researchers in the field of astrochemistry, the book could also be used as the basis of a course for postgraduate students who have an interest in astrochemistry.
Pancreatic progenitor-derived hepatocytes are viable and functional in a 3D high density bioreactor culture system
Authors: Richter M. , Fairhall E. A. , Hoffmann S. A. , Tröbs S. , Knöspel F. , Probert P. M. E. , Oakley F. , Stroux A. , Wright M. C. , Zeilinger K. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe rat pancreatic progenitor cell line B-13 is of interest for research on drug metabolism and toxicity since the cells trans-differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells (B-13/H) when treated with glucocorticoids. In this study we investigated the trans-differentiation and liver-specific functions of B-13/H cells in a three-dimensional (3D) multi-compartment bioreactor, which has already been successfully used for primary liver cell culture. Undifferentiated B-13 cells were inoculated into the bioreactor system and exposed to dexamethasone to promote hepatic trans-differentiation (B-13/HT). In a second approach, pre-differentiated B-13 cells were cultured in bioreactors for 15 days to evaluate the maintenance of liver-typical functions (B-13/HP). During trans-differentiation of B-13 cells into hepatocyte-like cells in the 3D bioreactor system (approach B-13/HT), an increase in glucose metabolism and in liver-specific functions (urea and albumin synthesis; cytochrome P450 [CYP] enzyme activity) was observed, whereas amylase – characteristic for exocrine pancreas and undifferentiated B-13 cells – decreased over time. In bioreactors with pre-differentiated cells (approach B-13/HP), the above liver-specific functions were maintained over the whole culture period. Results were confirmed by gene expression and protein analysis showing increased expression of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 (CPS-1), albumin, CYP2E1, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1 with simultaneous loss of amylase. Immunohistochemical studies showed the formation of 3D structures with expression of liver-specific markers, including albumin, cytokeratin (CK) 18, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (CEBP-β), CYP2E1 and multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2). In conclusion, successful culture and trans-differentiation of B-13 cells in the 3D bioreactor was demonstrated. The requirement for only one hormone and simple culture conditions to generate liver-like cells makes this cell type useful for in vitro research using 3D high-density culture systems.