bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychophysiological Changes Associated With Self-Regulation of	Sleepiness and Cessation From a Hazard Perception Task
Authors: Watling Christopher N. , Smith Simon S. , Horswill Mark S. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The relationship between a driver’s ability to identify increasing sleepiness and ceasing driving when sleepy is relatively unexamined. Several studies suggest that drivers have some ability to identify increasing levels of sleepiness. However, whether that identification of sleepiness leads to drivers being able to self-regulate and cease driving has not been examined. This study assessed the capacity of drivers to identify sleepiness and to self-regulate their own simulated driving cessation. Twenty-six young adults completed a validated hazard perception simulated task when moderately sleep deprived after a 05:00 wakeup. Participants were instructed to stop driving if they thought they were too sleepy to drive safely on the road. Physiological (EEG, EOG, and ECG) and subjective (Karolinska Sleepiness scale) measures were used to examine self-regulation of simulated driving cessation. The behavioral validity of the participants’ subjective sleepiness was then examined with a 30 min nap opportunity. All participants ceased the task on average after approximately 40 min (range = 12.5–73 min). No participant was judged to have experienced any microsleeps or fallen asleep. Subjective sleepiness and EOG-based blink duration measures increased significantly from the beginning of the drive to the end of the simulated driving episodes. During the nap opportunity 23 of the 26 participants were able to achieve sleep onset. The results suggest that moderately sleep deprived individuals can identify increasing sleepiness and then take action to cease a hazard perception task. Potentially, on-road drivers could benefit from better elicitation of subjective sleepiness and their self-regulation of driving cessation.
Non-cultivated plants present a season-long route of pesticide exposure for honey bees
Authors: Long Elizabeth Y. , Krupke Christian H. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRecent efforts to evaluate the contribution of neonicotinoid insecticides to worldwide pollinator declines have focused on honey bees and the chronic levels of exposure experienced when foraging on crops grown from neonicotinoid-treated seeds. However, few studies address non-crop plants as a potential route of pollinator exposure to neonicotinoid and other insecticides. Here we show that pollen collected by honey bee foragers in maize- and soybean-dominated landscapes is contaminated throughout the growing season with multiple agricultural pesticides, including the neonicotinoids used as seed treatments. Notably, however, the highest levels of contamination in pollen are pyrethroid insecticides targeting mosquitoes and other nuisance pests. Furthermore, pollen from crop plants represents only a tiny fraction of the total diversity of pollen resources used by honey bees in these landscapes, with the principle sources of pollen originating from non-cultivated plants. These findings provide fundamental information about the foraging habits of honey bees in these landscapes.
Graphene ballistic nano-rectifier with very high responsivity
Authors: Auton Gregory , Zhang Jiawei , Kumar Roshan Krishna , Wang Hanbin , Zhang Xijian , Wang Qingpu , Hill Ernie , Song Aimin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAlthough graphene has the longest mean free path of carriers of any known electronic material, very few novel devices have been reported to harness this extraordinary property. Here we demonstrate a ballistic nano-rectifier fabricated by creating an asymmetric cross-junction in single-layer graphene sandwiched between boron nitride flakes. A mobility ∼200,000 cm2 V−1 s−1 is achieved at room temperature, well beyond that required for ballistic transport. This enables a voltage responsivity as high as 23,000 mV mW−1 with a low-frequency input signal. Taking advantage of the output channels being orthogonal to the input terminals, the noise is found to be not strongly influenced by the input. Hence, the corresponding noise-equivalent power is as low as 0.64 pW Hz−1/2. Such performance is even comparable to superconducting bolometers, which however need to operate at cryogenic temperatures. Furthermore, output oscillations are observed at low temperatures, the period of which agrees with the lateral size quantization.
Rational design of a protein that binds integrin αvβ3 outside the ligand binding site
Authors: Turaga Ravi Chakra , Yin Lu , Yang Jenny J. , Lee Hsiauwei , Ivanov Ivaylo , Yan Chunli , Yang Hua , Grossniklaus Hans E. , Wang Siming , Ma Cheng , Sun Li , Liu Zhi-Ren 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntegrin αvβ3 expression is altered in various diseases and has been proposed as a drug target. Here we use a rational design approach to develop a therapeutic protein, which we call ProAgio, that binds to integrin αvβ3 outside the classical ligand-binding site. We show ProAgio induces apoptosis of integrin αvβ3-expressing cells by recruiting and activating caspase 8 to the cytoplasmic domain of integrin αvβ3. ProAgio also has anti-angiogenic activity and strongly inhibits growth of tumour xenografts, but does not affect the established vasculature. Toxicity analyses demonstrate that ProAgio is not toxic to mice. Our study reports a new integrin-targeting agent with a unique mechanism of action, and provides a template for the development of integrin-targeting therapeutics.
Attosecond nanoscale near-field sampling
Authors: Förg B. , Schötz J. , Süßmann F. , Förster M. , Krüger M. , Ahn B. , Okell W. A. , Wintersperger K. , Zherebtsov S. , Guggenmos A. , Pervak V. , Kessel A. , Trushin S. A. , Azzeer A. M. , Stockman M. I. , Kim D. , Krausz F. , Hommelhoff P. , Kling M. F. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe promise of ultrafast light-field-driven electronic nanocircuits has stimulated the development of the new research field of attosecond nanophysics. An essential prerequisite for advancing this new area is the ability to characterize optical near fields from light interaction with nanostructures, with sub-cycle resolution. Here we experimentally demonstrate attosecond near-field retrieval for a tapered gold nanowire. By comparison of the results to those obtained from noble gas experiments and trajectory simulations, the spectral response of the nanotaper near field arising from laser excitation can be extracted.
Efficient entanglement distillation without quantum memory
Authors: Abdelkhalek Daniela , Syllwasschy Mareike , Cerf Nicolas J. , Fiurášek Jaromír , Schnabel Roman 
Published: May 2016

AbstractEntanglement distribution between distant parties is an essential component to most quantum communication protocols. Unfortunately, decoherence effects such as phase noise in optical fibres are known to demolish entanglement. Iterative (multistep) entanglement distillation protocols have long been proposed to overcome decoherence, but their probabilistic nature makes them inefficient since the success probability decays exponentially with the number of steps. Quantum memories have been contemplated to make entanglement distillation practical, but suitable quantum memories are not realised to date. Here, we present the theory for an efficient iterative entanglement distillation protocol without quantum memories and provide a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration. The scheme is applied to phase-diffused two-mode-squeezed states and proven to distil entanglement for up to three iteration steps. The data are indistinguishable from those that an efficient scheme using quantum memories would produce. Since our protocol includes the final measurement it is particularly promising for enhancing continuous-variable quantum key distribution.
Quantum teleportation from light beams to vibrational states of a macroscopic diamond
Authors: Hou P.-Y. , Huang Y.-Y. , Yuan X.-X. , Chang X.-Y. , Zu C. , He L. , Duan L.-M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWith the recent development of optomechanics, the vibration in solids, involving collective motion of trillions of atoms, gradually enters into the realm of quantum control. Here, building on the recent remarkable progress in optical control of motional states of diamonds, we report an experimental demonstration of quantum teleportation from light beams to vibrational states of a macroscopic diamond under ambient conditions. Through quantum process tomography, we demonstrate average teleportation fidelity (90.6±1.0)%, clearly exceeding the classical limit of 2/3. The experiment pushes the target of quantum teleportation to the biggest object so far, with interesting implications for optomechanical quantum control and quantum information science.
An electric generator using living Torpedo electric organs controlled by fluid pressure-based alternative nervous systems
Authors: Tanaka Yo , Funano Shun-ichi , Nishizawa Yohei , Kamamichi Norihiro , Nishinaka Masahiro , Kitamori Takehiko 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDirect electric power generation using biological functions have become a research focus due to their low cost and cleanliness. Unlike major approaches using glucose fuels or microbial fuel cells (MFCs), we present a generation method with intrinsically high energy conversion efficiency and generation with arbitrary timing using living electric organs of Torpedo (electric rays) which are serially integrated electrocytes converting ATP into electric energy. We developed alternative nervous systems using fluid pressure to stimulate electrocytes by a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (Ach) and demonstrated electric generation. Maximum voltage and current were 1.5 V and 0.64 mA, respectively, with a duration time of a few seconds. We also demonstrated energy accumulation in a capacitor. The current was far larger than that using general cells other than electrocytes (~pA level). The generation ability was confirmed against repetitive cycles and also after preservation for 1 day. This is the first step toward ATP-based energy harvesting devices.
A Novel Complotype Combination Associates with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and High Complement Activation Levels in vivo
Authors: Paun Constantin C. , Lechanteur Yara T. E. , Groenewoud Joannes M. M. , Altay Lebriz , Schick Tina , Daha Mohamed R. , Fauser Sascha , Hoyng Carel B. , den Hollander Anneke I. , de Jong Eiko K. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe complement system is the first line of defense against foreign intruders and deregulation of this system has been described in multiple diseases. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), patients have higher complement activation levels compared to controls. Recently, a combination of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of the complement system, referred to as a complotype, has been described to increase complement activation in vitro. Here we describe a novel complotype composed of CFB (rs4151667)-CFB (rs641153)-CFH (rs800292), which is strongly associated with both AMD disease status (p = 5.84*10−13) and complement activation levels in vivo (p = 8.31*10−9). The most frequent genotype combination of this complotype was associated with the highest complement activation levels in both patients and controls. These findings are relevant in the context of complement-lowering treatments for AMD that are currently under development. Patients with a genetic predisposition to higher complement activation levels will potentially benefit the most of such treatments.
Identifying structures of continuously-varying weighted networks
Authors: Mei Guofeng , Wu Xiaoqun , Chen Guanrong , Lu Jun-an 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIdentifying network structures from dynamical observations is a fundamental problem currently pervading scientific research on complex systems, as understanding and modeling the structure of a complex network will lead to greater knowledge of its evolutionary mechanisms and to a better understanding of its functional behaviors. Usually, one needs to identify a network’s structure through a limited number of observations. Particularly, couplings of many real-world networks are sparse and continuously varying with time. In this study, a new framework is developed via optimization for identifying structures of continuously-varying weighted networks formed by sparsely-connected dynamical systems. Furthermore, a regularization technique is employed to increase the numerical stability of the parameter estimation algorithm. Three numerical examples are provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed identification method. In comparison with other existing techniques, the main advantages of our method include its ability to identify structures of continuously-varying weighted networks in addition to static ones, as well as its requirement of a relatively small number of observations. The proposed method has a potential applicability to a variety of evolving complex dynamical networks.
Resistive switching behavior of reduced graphene oxide memory cells for low power nonvolatile device application
Authors: Pradhan Sangram K. , Xiao Bo , Mishra Saswat , Killam Alex , Pradhan Aswini K. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractGraphene Oxide (GO) based low cost flexible electronics and memory cell have recently attracted more attention for the fabrication of emerging electronic devices. As a suitable candidate for resistive random access memory technology, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) can be widely used for non-volatile switching memory applications because of its large surface area, excellent scalability, retention and endurance properties. We demonstrated that the fabricated metal/RGO/metal memory device exhibited excellent switching characteristics, with on/off ratio of two orders of magnitude and operated threshold switching voltage of less than 1 V. The studies on different cell diameter, thickness, scan voltages and period of time corroborate the reliability of the device as resistive random access memory. The microscopic origin of switching operation is governed by the establishment of conducting filaments due to the interface amorphous layer rupturing and the movement of oxygen in the GO layer. This interesting experimental finding indicates that device made up of thermally reduced GO shows more reliability for its use in next generation electronics devices.
Exploring flavour-producing core microbiota in multispecies solid-state fermentation of traditional Chinese vinegar
Authors: Wang Zong-Min , Lu Zhen-Ming , Shi Jin-Song , Xu Zheng-Hong 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMultispecies solid-state fermentation (MSSF), a natural fermentation process driven by reproducible microbiota, is an important technique to produce traditional fermented foods. Flavours, skeleton of fermented foods, was mostly produced by microbiota in food ecosystem. However, the association between microbiota and flavours and flavour-producing core microbiota are still poorly understood. Here, acetic acid fermentation (AAF) of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar was taken as a typical case of MSSF. The structural and functional dynamics of microbiota during AAF process was determined by metagenomics and favour analyses. The dominant bacteria and fungi were identified as Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Aspergillus and Alternaria, respectively. Total 88 flavours including 2 sugars, 9 organic acids, 18 amino acids and 59 volatile flavours were detected during AAF process. O2PLS-based correlation analysis between microbiota succession and flavours dynamics showed bacteria made more contribution to flavour formation than fungi. Seven genera including Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, Enhydrobacter, Lactococcus, Gluconacetobacer, Bacillus and Staphylococcus were determined as functional core microbiota for production of flavours in Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar, based on their dominance and functionality in microbial community. This study provides a perspective for bridging the gap between the phenotype and genotype of ecological system and advances our understanding of MSSF mechanisms in Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar.
Interleukin-17A Contributes to the Control of Streptococcus pyogenes Colonization and Inflammation of the Female Genital Tract
Authors: Carey Alison J. , Weinberg Jason B. , Dawid Suzanne R. , Venturini Carola , Lam Alfred K. , Nizet Victor , Caparon Michael G. , Walker Mark J. , Watson Michael E. , Ulett Glen C. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPostpartum women are at increased risk of developing puerperal sepsis caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS). Specific GAS serotypes, including M1 and M28, are more commonly associated with puerperal sepsis. However, the mechanisms of GAS genital tract infection are not well understood. We utilized a murine genital tract carriage model to demonstrate that M1 and M28 GAS colonization triggers TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-17A production in the female genital tract. GAS-induced IL-17A significantly influences streptococcal carriage and alters local inflammatory responses in two genetically distinct inbred strains of mice. An absence of IL-17A or the IL-1 receptor was associated with reduced neutrophil recruitment to the site of infection; and clearance of GAS was significantly attenuated in IL-17A−/− mice and Rag1−/− mice (that lack mature lymphocytes) but not in mice deficient for the IL-1 receptor. Together, these findings support a role for IL-17A in contributing to the control of streptococcal mucosal colonization and provide new insight into the inflammatory mediators regulating host-pathogen interactions in the female genital tract.
Self-Injection Locking of a Vortex Spin Torque Oscillator by Delayed Feedback
Authors: Tsunegi Sumito , Grimaldi Eva , Lebrun Romain , Kubota Hitoshi , Jenkins Alex S. , Yakushiji Kay , Fukushima Akio , Bortolotti Paolo , Grollier Julie , Yuasa Shinji , Cros Vincent 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe self-synchronization of spin torque oscillators is investigated experimentally by re-injecting its radiofrequency (rf) current after a certain delay time. We demonstrate that the integrated power and spectral linewidth are improved for optimal delays. Moreover by varying the phase difference between the emitted power and the re-injected one, we find a clear oscillatory dependence on the phase difference with a 2π periodicity of the frequency of the oscillator as well as its power and linewidth. Such periodical behavior within the self-injection regime is well described by the general model of nonlinear auto-oscillators including not only a delayed rf current but also all spin torque forces responsible for the self-synchronization. Our results reveal new approaches for controlling the non-autonomous dynamics of spin torque oscillators, a key issue for rf spintronics applications as well as for the development of neuro-inspired spin-torque oscillators based devices.
The Neuroprotection of Liraglutide Against Ischaemia-induced Apoptosis through the Activation of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK Pathways
Authors: Zhu Huili , Zhang Yusheng , Shi Zhongshan , Lu Dan , Li Tingting , Ding Yan , Ruan Yiwen , Xu Anding 
Published: May 2016

AbstractGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion to reduce the glucose level. Liraglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 analogue, has been found to have neuroprotective action in various experimental models. However, the protective mechanisms of liraglutide in ischaemic stroke remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that liraglutide significantly decreased the infarct volume, improved neurologic deficits and lowered stress-related hyperglycaemia without causing hypoglycaemia in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Liraglutide inhibited cell apoptosis by reducing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improving the function of mitochondria in neurons under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro and MCAO in vivo. Liraglutide up-regulated the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and inhibited the phosphorylation of c-jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Moreover, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 and/or the ERK inhibitor U0126 counteracted the protective effect of liraglutide. Taken together, these results suggest that liraglutide exerts neuroprotective action against ischaemia-induced apoptosis through the reduction of ROS and the activation of the PI3K/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Therefore, liraglutide has therapeutic potential for patients with ischaemic stroke, especially those with Type 2 diabetes mellitus or stress hyperglycaemia.
A Microfabricated Platform for Generating Physiologically-Relevant Hepatocyte Zonation
Authors: McCarty William J. , Usta O. Berk , Yarmush Martin L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn vitro liver models have been important tools for more than 40 years for academic research and preclinical toxicity screening by the pharmaceutical industry. Hepatocytes, the highly metabolic parenchymal cells of the liver, are efficient at different metabolic chemistries depending on their relative spatial location along the sinusoid from the portal triad to the central vein. Although replicating hepatocyte metabolic zonation is vitally important for physiologically-relevant in vitro liver tissue and organ models, it is most often completely overlooked. Here, we demonstrate the creation of spatially-controlled zonation across multiple hepatocyte metabolism levels through the application of precise concentration gradients of exogenous hormone (insulin and glucagon) and chemical (3-methylcholanthrene) induction agents in a microfluidic device. Observed gradients in glycogen storage via periodic acid-Schiff staining, urea production via carbamoyl phosphatase synthetase I staining and cell viability after exposure to allyl alcohol and acetaminophen demonstrated the in vitro creation of hepatocyte carbohydrate, nitrogen, alcohol degradation and drug conjugation metabolic zonation. This type of advanced control system will be crucial for studies evaluating drug metabolism and toxicology using in vitro constructs.
Smoothened Agonist Reduces Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown in Humanized Mice
Authors: Singh Vir B. , Singh Meera V. , Gorantla Santhi , Poluektova Larisa Y. , Maggirwar Sanjay B. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHuman Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorder is characterized by recruitment of activated/infected leukocytes into the CNS via disrupted Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) that contributes to persistent neuro-inflammation. In this report, humanized NOD/scid-IL2Rγcnull mice were used to establish that impaired Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling is associated with loss of BBB function and neurological damage, and that modulating Shh signaling can rescue these detrimental effects. Plasma viral load, p24 levels and CD4+ T cells were measured as markers of productive HIV infection. These mice also showed impaired exclusion of Evans blue dye from the brain, increased plasma levels of S100B, an astrocytic protein, and down-regulation of tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin5, collectively indicating BBB dysfunction. Further, brain tissue from HIV+ mice indicated reduced synaptic density, neuronal atrophy, microglial activation, and astrocytosis. Importantly, reduced expression of Shh and Gli1 was also observed in these mice, demonstrating diminished Shh signaling. Administration of Shh mimetic, smoothened agonist (SAG) restored BBB integrity and also abated the neuropathology in infected mice. Together, our results suggest a neuroprotective role for Shh signaling in the context of HIV infection, underscoring the therapeutic potential of SAG in controlling HAND pathogenesis.