bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham Urban Climate Laboratory—A high density, urban meteorological dataset, from 2012–2014
Authors: Warren Elliott L. , Young Duick T. , Chapman Lee , Muller Catherine , Grimmond C.S.B. , Cai Xiao-Ming 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThere is a paucity of urban meteorological observations worldwide, hindering progress in understanding and mitigating urban meteorological hazards and extremes. High quality urban datasets are required to monitor the impacts of climatological events, whilst providing data for evaluation of numerical models. The Birmingham Urban Climate Laboratory was established as an exemplar network to meet this demand for urban canopy layer observations. It comprises of an array of 84 wireless air temperature sensors nested within a coarser array of 24 automatic weather stations, with observations available between June 2012 and December 2014. data routinely underwent quality control, follows the ISO 8601 naming format and benefits from extensive site metadata. The data have been used to investigate the structure of the urban heat island in Birmingham and its associated societal and infrastructural impacts. The network is now being repurposed into a testbed for the assessment of crowd-sourced and satellite data, but the original dataset is now available for further analysis, and an open invitation is extended for its academic use.
Nanomaterial datasets to advance tomography in scanning transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Levin Barnaby D.A. , Padgett Elliot , Chen Chien-Chun , Scott M.C. , Xu Rui , Theis Wolfgang , Jiang Yi , Yang Yongsoo , Ophus Colin , Zhang Haitao , Ha Don-Hyung , Wang Deli , Yu Yingchao , Abruña Hector D. , Robinson Richard D. , Ercius Peter , Kourkoutis Lena F. , Miao Jianwei , Muller David A. , Hovden Robert 
Published: June 2016

AbstractElectron tomography in materials science has flourished with the demand to characterize nanoscale materials in three dimensions (3D). Access to experimental data is vital for developing and validating reconstruction methods that improve resolution and reduce radiation dose requirements. This work presents five high-quality scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) tomography datasets in order to address the critical need for open access data in this field. The datasets represent the current limits of experimental technique, are of high quality, and contain materials with structural complexity. Included are tomographic series of a hyperbranched Co2P nanocrystal, platinum nanoparticles on a carbon nanofibre imaged over the complete 180° tilt range, a platinum nanoparticle and a tungsten needle both imaged at atomic resolution by equal slope tomography, and a through-focal tilt series of PtCu nanoparticles. A volumetric reconstruction from every dataset is provided for comparison and development of post-processing and visualization techniques. Researchers interested in creating novel data processing and reconstruction algorithms will now have access to state of the art experimental test data.
Microprofiling of nitrogen patches in paddy soil: Analysis of spatiotemporal nutrient heterogeneity at the microscale
Authors: Li Yilin , Kronzucker Herbert J. , Shi Weiming 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFlooded paddy soil ecosystems in the tropics support the cultivation of the majority of the world’s leading crop, rice, and nitrogen (N) availability in the paddy-soil rooting zone limits rice production more than any other nutritional factor. Yet, little is known about the dynamic response of paddy soil to N-fertiliser application, in terms of horizontal and vertical patchiness in N distribution and transformation. Here, we present a microscale analysis of the profile of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−), nitrification, oxygen (O2waterand O2soil), and pH (pHwaterand pHsoil) in paddy soils, collected from two representative rice-production areas in subtropical China. NH4+and NO3−exhibited dramatic spatiotemporal profiles within N patches on the microscale. We show that pHsoilbecame constant at 1.0–3.5 mm depth, and O2soilbecame undetectable at 1.7–4.0 mm. Fertiliser application significantly increased pH, and decreased O2, within N patches. Path analysis showed that the factors governing nitrification scaled in the order: pHwater > pHsoil > NH4+ > O2water > NO3− > O2soil. We discuss the soil properties that decide the degree of nutrient patchiness within them and argue that such knowledge is critical to intelligent appraisals of nutrient-use efficiencies in the field.
Tinnitus is associated with reduced sound level tolerance in adolescents with normal audiograms and otoacoustic emissions
Authors: Sanchez Tanit Ganz , Moraes Fernanda , Casseb Juliana , Cota Jaci , Freire Katya , Roberts Larry E. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRecent neuroscience research suggests that tinnitus may reflect synaptic loss in the cochlea that does not express in the audiogram but leads to neural changes in auditory pathways that reduce sound level tolerance (SLT). Adolescents (N = 170) completed a questionnaire addressing their prior experience with tinnitus, potentially risky listening habits, and sensitivity to ordinary sounds, followed by psychoacoustic measurements in a sound booth. Among all adolescents 54.7% reported by questionnaire that they had previously experienced tinnitus, while 28.8% heard tinnitus in the booth. Psychoacoustic properties of tinnitus measured in the sound booth corresponded with those of chronic adult tinnitus sufferers. Neither hearing thresholds (≤15 dB HL to 16 kHz) nor otoacoustic emissions discriminated between adolescents reporting or not reporting tinnitus in the sound booth, but loudness discomfort levels (a psychoacoustic measure of SLT) did so, averaging 11.3 dB lower in adolescents experiencing tinnitus in the acoustic chamber. Although risky listening habits were near universal, the teenagers experiencing tinnitus and reduced SLT tended to be more protective of their hearing. Tinnitus and reduced SLT could be early indications of a vulnerability to hidden synaptic injury that is prevalent among adolescents and expressed following exposure to high level environmental sounds.
miR-21-5p renal expression is associated with fibrosis and renal survival in patients with IgA nephropathy
Authors: Hennino Marie-Flore , Buob David , Van der Hauwaert Cynthia , Gnemmi Viviane , Jomaa Zacharie , Pottier Nicolas , Savary Grégoire , Drumez Elodie , Noël Christian , Cauffiez Christelle , Glowacki François 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent primary glomerulonephritis, whose prognosis is highly variable. Interstitial fibrosis is a strong independent prognosis factor. Among microRNA involved in renal fibrogenesis, only few have been investigated in IgAN. In the context of IgAN, we aimed to analyze the role of miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-199a-5p, three established “fibromiRs” involved in renal fibrosis. Fifty-six IgAN biopsy specimens were retrospectively scored according to Oxford classification. Renal expression of miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-199a-5p were significantly associated with T score (miR-21-5p T0 RQ median = 1.23, T1 RQ = 3.01, T2 RQ = 3.90; miR-214-5p T0 RQ = 1.39, T1 RQ = 2.20, T2 RQ = 2.48; miR-199a-5p T0 RQ = 0.76, T1 RQ = 1.41, T2 RQ = 1.87). miR-21-5p expression was associated with S score (S0 RQ median = 1.31, S1 RQ = 2.65), but not miR-214-3p nor miR-199a-5p. In our cohort, poor renal survival was associated with high blood pressure, proteinuria and elevated creatininemia, as well as T and S scores. Moreover, renal expression of miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p were associated with renal survival. In conclusion, miR-21-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-199a-5p are three “fibromiRs” involved in renal fibrosis in the course of IgAN and miR-21-5p and miR-214-3p are associated with renal survival.
Oxygen-Deficient Zirconia (ZrO2−x): A New Material for Solar Light Absorption
Authors: Sinhamahapatra Apurba , Jeon Jong-Pil , Kang Joonhee , Han Byungchan , Yu Jong-Sung 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHere, we present oxygen-deficient black ZrO2−x as a new material for sunlight absorption with a low band gap around ~1.5 eV, via a controlled magnesiothermic reduction in 5% H2/Ar from white ZrO2, a wide bandgap(~5 eV) semiconductor, usually not considered for solar light absorption. It shows for the first time a dramatic increase in solar light absorbance and significant activity for solar light-induced H2 production from methanol-water with excellent stability up to 30 days while white ZrO2 fails. Generation of large amounts of oxygen vacancies or surface defects clearly visualized by the HR-TEM and HR-SEM images is the main reason for the drastic alteration of the optical properties through the formation of new energy states near valence band and conduction band towards Fermi level in black ZrO2−x as indicated by XPS and DFT calculations of black ZrO2−x. Current reduction method using Mg and H2 is mild, but highly efficient to produce solar light-assisted photocatalytically active black ZrO2−x.
A carnosine intervention study in overweight human volunteers: bioavailability and reactive carbonyl species sequestering effect
Authors: Regazzoni Luca , de Courten Barbora , Garzon Davide , Altomare Alessandra , Marinello Cristina , Jakubova Michaela , Vallova Silvia , Krumpolec Patrik , Carini Marina , Ukropec Jozef , Ukropcova Barbara , Aldini Giancarlo 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCarnosine is a natural dipeptide able to react with reactive carbonyl species, which have been recently associated with the onset and progression of several human diseases. Herein, we report an intervention study in overweight individuals. Carnosine (2 g/day) was orally administered for twelve weeks in order to evaluate its bioavailability and metabolic fate. Two carnosine adducts were detected in the urine samples of all subjects. Such adducts are generated from a reaction with acrolein, which is one of the most toxic and reactive compounds among reactive carbonyl species. However, neither carnosine nor adducts have been detected in plasma. Urinary excretion of adducts and carnosine showed a positive correlation although a high variability of individual response to carnosine supplementation was observed. Interestingly, treated subjects showed a significant decrease in the percentage of excreted adducts in reduced form, accompanied by a significant increase of the urinary excretion of both carnosine and carnosine-acrolein adducts. Altogether, data suggest that acrolein is entrapped in vivo by carnosine although the response to its supplementation is possibly influenced by individual diversities in terms of carnosine dietary intake, metabolism and basal production of reactive carbonyl species.
Mycobacteria emulsified in olive oil-in-water trigger a robust immune response in bladder cancer treatment
Authors: Noguera-Ortega Estela , Blanco-Cabra Núria , Rabanal Rosa Maria , Sánchez-Chardi Alejandro , Roldán Mónica , Guallar-Garrido Sandra , Torrents Eduard , Luquin Marina , Julián Esther 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe hydrophobic composition of mycobacterial cell walls leads to the formation of clumps when attempting to resuspend mycobacteria in aqueous solutions. Such aggregation may interfere in the mycobacteria-host cells interaction and, consequently, influence their antitumor effect. To improve the immunotherapeutic activity of Mycobacterium brumae, we designed different emulsions and demonstrated their efficacy. The best formulation was initially selected based on homogeneity and stability. Both olive oil (OO)- and mineral oil-in-water emulsions better preserved the mycobacteria viability and provided higher disaggregation rates compared to the others. But, among both emulsions, the OO emulsion increased the mycobacteria capacity to induce cytokines’ production in bladder tumor cell cultures. The OO-mycobacteria emulsion properties: less hydrophobic, lower pH, more neutralized zeta potential, and increased affinity to fibronectin than non-emulsified mycobacteria, indicated favorable conditions for reaching the bladder epithelium in vivo. Finally, intravesical OO-M. brumae-treated mice showed a significantly higher systemic immune response, together with a trend toward increased tumor-bearing mouse survival rates compared to the rest of the treated mice. The physicochemical characteristics and the induction of a robust immune response in vitro and in vivo highlight the potential of the OO emulsion as a good delivery vehicle for the mycobacterial treatment of bladder cancer.
New Highly Oxygenated Germacranolides from Carpesium divaricatum and their Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Zhang Tao , Si Jin-Guang , Zhang Qiu-Bo , Ding Gang , Zou Zhong-Mei 
Published: June 2016

AbstractEight highly oxygenated germacranolides (1–8) including four new ones (2–5) were isolated from the whole plant of Carpesium divaricatum. The planar structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were determined by NMR experiment and HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by circular dichroism (CD) method and X-ray diffraction, and the stereochemistry of the new compounds 2–5 were determined by similar CD spectra with 1. Compound 2 is the first hydroperoxyl germacrane from the genus Carpesium. The 13C NMR data of 1, NMR data of 6–7, and their absolute configurations were reported for the first time. Two new compounds (2 and 4) and two known compounds (6 and 8) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, superior to that of the positive control doxorubicin.
Perceptual Modalities Guiding Bat Flight in a Native Habitat
Authors: Kong Zhaodan , Fuller Nathan , Wang Shuai , Özcimder Kayhan , Gillam Erin , Theriault Diane , Betke Margrit , Baillieul John 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFlying animals accomplish high-speed navigation through fields of obstacles using a suite of sensory modalities that blend spatial memory with input from vision, tactile sensing, and, in the case of most bats and some other animals, echolocation. Although a good deal of previous research has been focused on the role of individual modes of sensing in animal locomotion, our understanding of sensory integration and the interplay among modalities is still meager. To understand how bats integrate sensory input from echolocation, vision and spatial memory, we conducted an experiment in which bats flying in their natural habitat were challenged over the course of several evening emergences with a novel obstacle placed in their flight path. Our analysis of reconstructed flight data suggests that vision, echolocation and spatial memory together with the possible exercise of an ability in using predictive navigation are mutually reinforcing aspects of a composite perceptual system that guides flight. Together with the recent development in robotics, our paper points to the possible interpretation that while each stream of sensory information plays an important role in bat navigation, it is the emergent effects of combining modalities that enable bats to fly through complex spaces.
Triggering through NOD-2 Differentiates Bone Marrow Precursors to Dendritic Cells with Potent Bactericidal activity
Authors: Khan Nargis , Aqdas Mohammad , Vidyarthi Aurobind , Negi Shikha , Pahari Susanta , Agnihotri Tapan , Agrewala Javed N. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in bridging innate and adaptive immunity by activating naïve T cells. The role of pattern recognition receptors like Toll-Like Receptors and Nod-Like Receptors expressed on DCs is well-defined in the recognition of the pathogens. However, nothing is precisely studied regarding the impact of NOD-2 signaling during the differentiation of DCs. Consequently, we explored the role of NOD-2 signaling in the differentiation of DCs and therefore their capability to activate innate and adaptive immunity. Intriguingly, we observed that NOD-2 stimulated DCs (nDCs) acquired highly activated and matured phenotype and exhibited substantially greater bactericidal activity by robust production of nitric oxide. The mechanism involved in improving the functionality of nDCs was dependent on IFN-αβ signaling, leading to the activation of STAT pathways. Furthermore, we also observed that STAT-1 and STAT-4 dependent maturation and activation of DCs was under the feedback mechanism of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 proteins. nDCs acquired enhanced potential to activate chiefly Th1 and Th17 immunity. Taken together, these results suggest that nDCs can be exploited as an immunotherapeutic agent in bolstering host immunity and imparting protection against the pathogens.
Imaging cellular structures in super-resolution with SIM, STED and Localisation Microscopy: A practical comparison
Authors: Wegel Eva , Göhler Antonia , Lagerholm B. Christoffer , Wainman Alan , Uphoff Stephan , Kaufmann Rainer , Dobbie Ian M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMany biological questions require fluorescence microscopy with a resolution beyond the diffraction limit of light. Super-resolution methods such as Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy and Single Molecule Localisation Microscopy (SMLM) enable an increase in image resolution beyond the classical diffraction-limit. Here, we compare the individual strengths and weaknesses of each technique by imaging a variety of different subcellular structures in fixed cells. We chose examples ranging from well separated vesicles to densely packed three dimensional filaments. We used quantitative and correlative analyses to assess the performance of SIM, STED and SMLM with the aim of establishing a rough guideline regarding the suitability for typical applications and to highlight pitfalls associated with the different techniques.
Plasma Levels of Alanine Aminotransferase in the First Trimester Identify High Risk Chinese Women for Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Leng Junhong , Zhang Cuiping , Wang Peng , Li Nan , Li Weiqin , Liu Huikun , Zhang Shuang , Hu Gang , Yu Zhijie , Ma Ronald CW , Chan Juliana CN , Yang Xilin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAlanine aminotransferase (ALT) predicts type 2 diabetes but it is uncertain whether it also predicts gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We recruited 17359 Chinese women with ALT measured in their first trimester. At 24–28 weeks of gestation, all women underwent a 50-gram 1-hour glucose challenge test (GCT) followed by a 75-gram 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test if GCT result was ≥7.8 mmol/L. Restricted cubic spline analysis was used to examine full-range risk associations of ALT levels with GDM. Relative excess risk due to interaction, attributable proportion due to interaction and synergy index were used to estimate additive interaction between high ALT and overweight/obesity for GDM. Finally, 1332 (7.7%) women had GDM. ALT levels were positively associated with GDM risk without a clear threshold. Using ALT levels <22 U/L as the referent, the middle ALT levels (≥22 to <40 U/L) [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence intervals): 1.41(1.21–1.65)] and high ALT levels (≥40 U/L) [1.62 (1.31–2.00)] were associated with increased GDM risk. Maternal overweight/obesity greatly enhanced the OR of ALT ≥22 U/L from 1.44 (1.23–1.69) to 3.46 (2.79–4.29) with significant additive interactions. In conclusion, elevated ALT levels in the first trimester even within normal range predicted GDM risk, further enhanced by overweight/obesity.
Intense, stable and excitation wavelength-independent photoluminescence emission in the blue-violet region from phosphorene quantum dots
Authors: Ge Shuaipeng , Zhang Lisheng , Wang Peijie , Fang Yan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNanoscale phosphorene quantum dots (PQDs) with few-layer structures were fabricated by pulsed laser ablation of a bulk black phosphorus target in diethyl ether. An intense and stable photoluminescence (PL) emission of the PQDs in the blue-violet wavelength region is clearly observed for the first time, which is attributed to electronic transitions from the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and occupied molecular orbitals below the HOMO (H-1, H-2), respectively. Surprisingly, the PL emission peak positions of the PQDs are not red-shifted with progressively longer excitation wavelengths, which is in contrast to the cases of graphene and molybdenum disulphide quantum dots. This excitation wavelength-independence is derived from the saturated passivation on the periphery and surfaces of the PQDs by large numbers of electron-donating functional groups which cause the electron density on the PQDs to be dramatically increased and the band gap to be insensitive to the quantum size effect in the PQDs. This work suggests that PQDs with intense, stable and excitation wavelength-independent PL emission in the blue-violet region have a potential application as semiconductor-based blue-violet light irradiation sources.
Lethal exposure: An integrated approach to pathogen transmission via environmental reservoirs
Authors: Turner Wendy C. , Kausrud Kyrre L. , Beyer Wolfgang , Easterday W. Ryan , Barandongo Zoë R. , Blaschke Elisabeth , Cloete Claudine C. , Lazak Judith , Van Ert Matthew N. , Ganz Holly H. , Turnbull Peter C. B. , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Getz Wayne M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTo mitigate the effects of zoonotic diseases on human and animal populations, it is critical to understand what factors alter transmission dynamics. Here we assess the risk of exposure to lethal concentrations of the anthrax bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, for grazing animals in a natural system over time through different transmission mechanisms. We follow pathogen concentrations at anthrax carcass sites and waterholes for five years and estimate infection risk as a function of grass, soil or water intake, age of carcass sites, and the exposure required for a lethal infection. Grazing, not drinking, seems the dominant transmission route, and transmission is more probable from grazing at carcass sites 1–2 years of age. Unlike most studies of virulent pathogens that are conducted under controlled conditions for extrapolation to real situations, we evaluate exposure risk under field conditions to estimate the probability of a lethal dose, showing that not all reservoirs with detectable pathogens are significant transmission pathways.
Free-Standing Undoped ZnO Microtubes with Rich and Stable Shallow Acceptors
Authors: Wang Qiang , Yan Yinzhou , Zeng Yong , Lu Yue , Chen Liang , Jiang Yijian 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFabrication of reliable large-sized p-ZnO is a major challenge to realise ZnO-based electronic device applications. Here we report a novel technique to grow high-quality free-standing undoped acceptor-rich ZnO (A-ZnO) microtubes with dimensions of ~100 μm (in diameter) × 5 mm (in length) by optical vapour supersaturated precipitation. The A-ZnO exhibits long lifetimes (>1 year) against compensation/lattice-relaxation and the stable shallow acceptors with binding energy of ~127 meV are confirmed from Zn vacancies. The A-ZnO provides a possibility for a mimetic p-n homojunction diode with n+-ZnO:Sn. The high concentrations of holes in A-ZnO and electrons in n+-ZnO make the dual diffusion possible to form a depletion layer. The diode threshold voltage, turn-on voltage, reverse saturated current and reverse breakdown voltage are 0.72 V, 1.90 V, <10 μA and >15 V, respectively. The A-ZnO also demonstrates quenching-free donor-acceptor-pairs (DAP) emission located in 390–414 nm with temperature of 270–470 K. Combining the temperature-dependent DAP violet emission with native green emission, the visible luminescence of A-ZnO microtube can be modulated in a wide region of colour space across white light. The present work opens up new opportunities to achieve ZnO with rich and stable acceptors instead of p-ZnO for a variety of potential applications.