bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE “SICK” RACIST
Authors: Thomas James M. , Byrd W. Carson 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSince the early 1960s, there has been a movement among activists, scholars, and policymakers to redefine racism as a psychopathological condition, identifiable and treatable through psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions. This development reflects, and is reflected by, the popular framing among mass media and ordinary social actors of racism and racist events as individual pathology rather than as a social problem. This shifting perspective on racism, from a social problem and a system to an individual pathology, has increasingly become a part of academic and psychiatric discourse since Jim Crow. In this article, we have two aims: first, to trace the emergence of “psychopathological racism”; second, to illustrate the relationship between “psychopathological racism” and “colorblind racism” in the post-Civil Rights era. We argue that the psychopathological view of racism compliments colorblindness in that larger structural issues are dismissed in favor of individual pathos. Furthermore, psychopathological explanations for racism dismiss socio-political contexts, eschewing the contributions of well over fifty years of social scientific research in the process.
Improving resource-use-efficiency with no-till and crop diversity
Authors: Anderson Randy L. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRecently, we conducted a case study that showed a no-till, diverse cropping system increasing corn yields in a semiarid climate compared with a tilled, corn–soybean rotation. Further analysis showed that the no-till system improved resource-use-efficiency of corn; inputs were reduced 42% averaged across five resources. The largest reduction with inputs involved nitrogen fertilizer and fuel. Reduced fertilizer input was attributed to greater soil microbial activity. A surprising trend was that cost of weed management in corn was 45% lower in the no-till system, due to resistant weeds being present only in the tilled, corn–soybean system. Crop diversity in the no-till system suppressed development of weed resistance. Integrating a diversity of crops with no-till can improve efficient use of resources.
Effects of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on non-target ants associated with Odontotermes spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) termite mounds in Kenya
Authors: Abonyo E.A. , Maniania N.K. , Warui C.M. , Kokwaro E.D. , Palmer T.M. , Doak D.F. , Brody A.K. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTermites are an important component of savannah ecosystems throughout Africa. Despite their importance in the ecosystem, they can be serious pests of structures, houses, rangelands, tropical forestry, and agriculture. For many decades, chemical insecticides have remained popular for termite management worldwide. However, with the growing environmental concerns over pesticides, biological control using entomopathogenic fungi such asMetarhizium anisopliae(Metschnikoff) Sorokin has become an often-considered alternative.Metarhizium anisopliaeis an ubiquitous, naturally occurring pathogen, which has been reported infecting over 200 insect species; therefore, there is concern that use ofM. anisopliaemay affect non-target organisms. The effects ofM. anisopliaeisolate ICIPE 30 were experimentally tested on the ants which associate withOdontotermesspp. termite mounds. Laboratory bioassays were carried out to assess the effects of direct exposure toM. anisopliaeonCrematogaster mimosaeandCamponotusspp. In addition, ant diversity was monitored over 18 months from termite mounds treated withM. anisopliae in situnear the Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia District of central Kenya. Results obtained revealed no effects of direct exposure toM. anisopliaeisolate ICIPE 30 on the mortality ofC. mimosae(F1= 7.29,P= 0.0072) orCamponotusspp. (F1= 13.01,P= 0.0004) in the laboratory. No significant difference in Shannon indices of ant diversity from treated and untreated mounds (F1= 0.016,P= 0.8989) was found. It is evident thatM. anisopliaehas no negative effects on ants that are associated withOdontotermesspp. termites.
Rivers, Oceans, and Spirits: Water Cosmologies, Gender, and Religious Change in Southeast Asia
Authors: Andaya Barbara Watson 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWater in many different forms and contexts is of central significance in Southeast Asia, and these differences are reflected in the vast range of spirits and deities. Despite wide variation, the most obvious distinction is between spirits associated with fresh and salt water. Those linked to water associated with fertility are typically regarded as female and sympathetic to human requests for assistance. By contrast, the spirits who inhabit turbulent river waters and patrol the shorelines may be male, female, or only vaguely gendered. Although they can be capricious and sometimes cruel, they are nonetheless amenable to individual or communal supplication. The same ambiguity is exemplified by the sea spirits, who extend rewards to those they favour but inflict harsh punishments when their anger is aroused. Yet regardless of their nature or the place with which they were associated, the ‘power base’ of indigenous spirits was always locally concentrated. The limitations in their reach help explain the appeal of cosmologies that extended across a much larger area, and even across the entire globe. The accompanying conceptualization of new and benevolent beings is especially evident in the maritime environment. Here human activity is male-dominated, and the male divinities and saints associated with supra-local belief systems might appear to be the natural guardians of mariners. Even so, culturally entrenched ideas of connections between water and maternal care facilitated the adoption of female deities as protectors of ocean-going voyagers.
Correlation detection as a general mechanism for multisensory integration
Authors: Parise Cesare V. , Ernst Marc O. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe brain efficiently processes multisensory information by selectively combining related signals across the continuous stream of multisensory inputs. To do so, it needs to detect correlation, lag and synchrony across the senses; optimally integrate related information; and dynamically adapt to spatiotemporal conflicts across the senses. Here we show that all these aspects of multisensory perception can be jointly explained by postulating an elementary processing unit akin to the Hassenstein–Reichardt detector—a model originally developed for visual motion perception. This unit, termed the multisensory correlation detector (MCD), integrates related multisensory signals through a set of temporal filters followed by linear combination. Our model can tightly replicate human perception as measured in a series of empirical studies, both novel and previously published. MCDs provide a unified general theory of multisensory processing, which simultaneously explains a wide spectrum of phenomena with a simple, yet physiologically plausible model.
PPAR-delta promotes survival of breast cancer cells in harsh metabolic conditions
Authors: Wang X , Wang G , Shi Y , Sun L , Gorczynski R , Li Y-J , Xu Z , Spaner D E 
Published: June 2016

AbstractExpression of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta (PPARδ) in breast cancer cells is negatively associated with patient survival, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. High PPARδ protein levels in rat breast adenocarcinomas were found to be associated with increased growth in soft agar and mice. Transgenic expression of PPARδ increased the ability of human breast cancer cell lines to migrate in vitro and form lung metastases in mice. PPARδ also conferred the ability to grow in exhausted tissue culture media and survive in low-glucose and other endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions such as hypoxia. Upregulation of PPARδ by glucocorticoids or synthetic agonists also protected human breast cancer cells from low glucose. Survival in low glucose was related to increased antioxidant defenses mediated in part by catalase and also to late AKT phosphorylation, which is associated with the prolonged glucose-deprivation response. Synthetic antagonists reversed the survival benefits conferred by PPARδ in vitro. These findings suggest that PPARδ conditions breast cancer cells to survive in harsh microenvironmental conditions by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing survival signaling responses. Drugs that target PPARδ may have a role in the treatment of breast cancer.
Synergistic chemopreventive effects of curcumin and berberine on human breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and autophagic cell death
Authors: Wang Kai , Zhang Chao , Bao Jiaolin , Jia Xuejing , Liang Yeer , Wang Xiaotong , Chen Meiwan , Su Huanxing , Li Peng , Wan Jian-Bo , He Chengwei 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCurcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) are renowned natural compounds that exhibit potent anticancer activities through distinct molecular mechanisms. However, the anticancer capacity of either CUR or BBR is limited. This prompted us to investigate the chemopreventive potential of co-treatment of CUR and BBR against breast cancers. The results showed that CUR and BBR in combination synergistically inhibited the growth of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells than the compounds used alone. Further study confirmed that synergistic anti-breast cancer activities of co-treatment of these two compounds was through inducing more apoptosis and autophagic cell death (ACD). The co-treatment-induced apoptosis was caspase-dependent and through activating ERK pathways. Our data also demonstrated that co-treatment of CUR and BBR strongly up-regulated phosphorylation of JNK and Beclin1 and decreased phosphorylated Bcl-2. Inhibition of JNK by SP600125 markedly decreased LC3-II and Beclin1, restored phosphorylated Bcl-2 and reduced the cytotoxicity induced by the two compounds in combination. These results strongly suggested that JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin1 pathway played a key role in the induction of ACD in breast cancer cells by co-treatment of CUR and BBR. This study provides an insight into the potential application of curcumin and berberine in combination for the chemoprevention and treatment of breast cancers.
A Material Conferring Hemocompatibility
Authors: Everett William , Scurr David J , Rammou Anna , Darbyshire Arnold , Hamilton George , de Mel Achala 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThere is a need for biomimetic materials for use in blood-contacting devices. Blood contacting surfaces maintain their patency through physico-chemical properties of a functional endothelium. A poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (PCU) is used as a base material to examine the feasibility of L-Arginine methyl ester (L-AME) functionalized material for use in implants and coatings. The study hypothesizes that L-AME, incorporated into PCU, functions as a bioactive porogen, releasing upon contact with blood to interact with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) present in blood. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) were successfully cultured on L-AME functionalized material, indicating that L-AME -increases cell viability. L-AME functionalized material potentially has broad applications in blood-contacting medical devices, as well as various other applications requiring endogenous up-regulation of nitric oxide, such as wound healing. This study presents an in-vitro investigation to demonstrate the novel anti-thrombogenic properties of L-AME, when in solution and when present within a polyurethane-based polymer.
Exogenous N addition enhances the responses of gross primary productivity to individual precipitation events in a temperate grassland
Authors: Guo Qun , Hu Zhong-min , Li Sheng-gong , Yu Gui-rui , Sun Xiao-min , Li Ling-hao , Liang Nai-shen , Bai Wen-ming 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPredicted future shifts in the magnitude and frequency (larger but fewer) of precipitation events and enhanced nitrogen (N) deposition may interact to affect grassland productivity, but the effects of N enrichment on the productivity response to individual precipitation events remain unclear. In this study, we quantified the effects of N addition on the response patterns of gross primary productivity (GPP) to individual precipitation events of different sizes (Psize) in a temperate grassland in China. The results showed that N enrichment significantly increased the time-integrated amount of GPP in response to an individual precipitation event (GPPtotal) and the N-induced stimulation of GPP increased with increasing Psize. N enrichment rarely affected the duration of the GPP response, but it significantly stimulated the maximum absolute GPP response. Higher foliar N content might play an important role in the N-induced stimulation of GPP. GPPtotal in both the N-addition and control treatments increased linearly with Psize with similar Psize intercepts (approximately 5 mm, indicating a similar lower Psize threshold to stimulate the GPP response) but had a steeper slope under N addition. Our work indicates that the projected larger precipitation events will stimulate grassland productivity and this stimulation might be amplified by increasing N deposition.
Supersonic Dislocation Bursts in Silicon
Authors: Hahn E. N. , Zhao S. , Bringa E. M. , Meyers M. A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDislocations are the primary agents of permanent deformation in crystalline solids. Since the theoretical prediction of supersonic dislocations over half a century ago, there is a dearth of experimental evidence supporting their existence. Here we use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of shocked silicon to reveal transient supersonic partial dislocation motion at approximately 15 km/s, faster than any previous in-silico observation. Homogeneous dislocation nucleation occurs near the shock front and supersonic dislocation motion lasts just fractions of picoseconds before the dislocations catch the shock front and decelerate back to the elastic wave speed. Applying a modified analytical equation for dislocation evolution we successfully predict a dislocation density of 1.5 × 1012 cm−2 within the shocked volume, in agreement with the present simulations and realistic in regards to prior and on-going recovery experiments in silicon.
A sacrificial millipede altruistically protects its swarm using a drone blood enzyme, mandelonitrile oxidase
Authors: Ishida Yuko , Kuwahara Yasumasa , Dadashipour Mohammad , Ina Atsutoshi , Yamaguchi Takuya , Morita Masashi , Ichiki Yayoi , Asano Yasuhisa 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSoldiers of some eusocial insects exhibit an altruistic self-destructive defense behavior in emergency situations when attacked by large enemies. The swarm-forming invasive millipede, Chamberlinius hualienensis, which is not classified as eusocial animal, exudes irritant chemicals such as benzoyl cyanide as a defensive secretion. Although it has been thought that this defensive chemical was converted from mandelonitrile, identification of the biocatalyst has remained unidentified for 40 years. Here, we identify the novel blood enzyme, mandelonitrile oxidase (ChuaMOX), which stoichiometrically catalyzes oxygen consumption and synthesis of benzoyl cyanide and hydrogen peroxide from mandelonitrile. Interestingly the enzymatic activity is suppressed at a blood pH of 7 and the enzyme is segregated by membranes of defensive sacs from mandelonitrile which has a pH of 4.6, the optimum pH for ChuaMOX activity. In addition, strong body muscle contractions are necessary for de novo synthesis of benzoyl cyanide. We propose that, to protect its swarm, the sacrificial millipede also applies a self-destructive defense strategy—the endogenous rupturing of the defensive sacs to mix ChuaMOX and mandelonitrile at an optimum pH. Further study of defensive systems in primitive arthropods will pave the way to elucidate the evolution of altruistic defenses in the animal kingdom.
An extra dimension in protein tagging by quantifying universal proteotypic peptides using targeted proteomics
Authors: Vandemoortele Giel , Staes An , Gonnelli Giulia , Samyn Noortje , De Sutter Delphine , Vandermarliere Elien , Timmerman Evy , Gevaert Kris , Martens Lennart , Eyckerman Sven 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe use of protein tagging to facilitate detailed characterization of target proteins has not only revolutionized cell biology, but also enabled biochemical analysis through efficient recovery of the protein complexes wherein the tagged proteins reside. The endogenous use of these tags for detailed protein characterization is widespread in lower organisms that allow for efficient homologous recombination. With the recent advances in genome engineering, tagging of endogenous proteins is now within reach for most experimental systems, including mammalian cell lines cultures. In this work, we describe the selection of peptides with ideal mass spectrometry characteristics for use in quantification of tagged proteins using targeted proteomics. We mined the proteome of the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus to obtain two peptides that are unique in the proteomes of all known model organisms (proteotypic) and allow sensitive quantification of target proteins in a complex background. By combining these ’Proteotypic peptides for Quantification by SRM’ (PQS peptides) with epitope tags, we demonstrate their use in co-immunoprecipitation experiments upon transfection of protein pairs, or after introduction of these tags in the endogenous proteins through genome engineering. Endogenous protein tagging for absolute quantification provides a powerful extra dimension to protein analysis, allowing the detailed characterization of endogenous proteins.
Virtual unrolling and deciphering of Herculaneum papyri by X-ray phase-contrast tomography
Authors: Bukreeva I. , Mittone A. , Bravin A. , Festa G. , Alessandrelli M. , Coan P. , Formoso V. , Agostino R. G. , Giocondo M. , Ciuchi F. , Fratini M. , Massimi L. , Lamarra A. , Andreani C. , Bartolino R. , Gigli G. , Ranocchia G. , Cedola A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA collection of more than 1800 carbonized papyri, discovered in the Roman ‘Villa dei Papiri’ at Herculaneum is the unique classical library survived from antiquity. These papyri were charred during 79 A.D. Vesuvius eruption, a circumstance which providentially preserved them until now. This magnificent collection contains an impressive amount of treatises by Greek philosophers and, especially, Philodemus of Gadara, an Epicurean thinker of 1st century BC. We read many portions of text hidden inside carbonized Herculaneum papyri using enhanced X-ray phase-contrast tomography non-destructive technique and a new set of numerical algorithms for ‘virtual-unrolling’. Our success lies in revealing the largest portion of Greek text ever detected so far inside unopened scrolls, with unprecedented spatial resolution and contrast, all without damaging these precious historical manuscripts. Parts of text have been decoded and the ‘voice’ of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus is brought back again after 2000 years from Herculaneum papyri.
A metabolomics cell-based approach for anticipating and investigating drug-induced liver injury
Authors: García- Cañaveras Juan Carlos , Castell José V. , Donato M. Teresa , Lahoz Agustín 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn preclinical stages of drug development, anticipating potential adverse drug effects such as toxicity is an important issue for both saving resources and preventing public health risks. Currentin vitrocytotoxicity tests are restricted by their predictive potential and their ability to provide mechanistic information. This study aimed to develop a metabolomic mass spectrometry-based approach for the detection and classification of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. To this end, the metabolite profiles of human derived hepatic cells (i.e., HepG2) exposed to different well-known hepatotoxic compounds acting through different mechanisms (i.e., oxidative stress, steatosis, phospholipidosis and controls) were compared by multivariate data analysis, thus allowing us to decipher both common and mechanism-specific altered biochemical pathways. Briefly, oxidative stress damage markers were found in the three mechanisms, mainly showing altered levels of metabolites associated with glutathione and γ-glutamyl cycle. Phospholipidosis was characterized by a decreased lysophospholipids to phospholipids ratio, suggestive of phospholipid degradation inhibition. Whereas, steatosis led to impaired fatty acids β-oxidation and a subsequent increase in triacylglycerides synthesis. The characteristic metabolomic profiles were used to develop a predictive model aimed not only to discriminate between non-toxic and hepatotoxic drugs, but also to propose potential drug toxicity mechanism(s).
Quantifying promoter activity during the developmental cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Cong Yanguang , Gao Leiqiong , Zhang Yan , Xian Yuqi , Hua Ziyu , Elaasar Hiba , Shen Li 
Published: June 2016

AbstractChlamydia trachomatis is an important human pathogen that undergoes a characteristic development cycle correlating with stage-specific gene expression profiles. Taking advantage of recent developments in the genetic transformation in C. trachomatis, we constructed a versatile green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter system to study the development-dependent function of C. trachomatis promoters in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism that controls C. trachomatis adaptability. We validated the use of the GFP reporter system by visualizing the activity of an early euo gene promoter. Additionally, we uncovered a new ompA promoter, which we named P3, utilizing the GFP reporter system combined with 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), in vitro transcription assays, real-time quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) and flow cytometry. Mutagenesis of the P3 region verifies that P3 is a new class of C. trachomatis σ66-dependent promoter, which requires an extended −10 TGn motif for transcription. These results corroborate complex developmentally controlled ompA expression in C. trachomatis. The exploitation of genetically labeled C. trachomatis organisms with P3-driven GFP allows for the observation of changes in ompA expression in response to developmental signals. The results of this study could be used to complement previous findings and to advance understanding of C. trachomatis genetic expression.
Widely tunable Tm-doped mode-locked all-fiber laser
Authors: Yan Zhiyu , Sun Biao , Li Xiaohui , Luo Jiaqi , Shum Perry Ping , Yu Xia , Zhang Ying , Wang Qi Jie 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe demonstrated a widely tunable Tm-doped mode-locked all-fiber laser, with the widest tunable range of 136 nm, from 1842 to 1978 nm. Nonlinear polarization evolution (NPE) technique is employed to enable mode-locking and the wavelength-tunable operation. The widely tunable range attributes to the NPE-induced transmission modulation and bidirectional pumping mechanism. Such kind of tunable mode-locked laser can find various applications in optical communications, spectroscopy, time-resolved measurement, and among others.
NanoARPES of twisted bilayer graphene on SiC: absence of velocity renormalization for small angles
Authors: Razado-Colambo I. , Avila J. , Nys J.-P. , Chen C. , Wallart X. , Asensio M.-C. , Vignaud D. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe structural and electronic properties of twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) on SiC(000"Equation missing") grown by Si flux-assisted molecular beam epitaxy were investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy with nanometric spatial resolution. STM images revealed a wide distribution of twist angles between the two graphene layers. The electronic structure recorded in single TBG grains showed two closely-spaced Dirac π bands associated to the two stacked layers with respective twist angles in the range 1–3°. The renormalization of velocity predicted in previous theoretical calculations for small twist angles was not observed.