bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of the phase function of random media from light reflectance
Authors: Xu Min 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLight reflectance has been widely used to diagnose random media in both in situ and in vivo applications. The quantification of the phase function of the medium from reflectance measurements, however, remains elusive due to the lack of an explicit connection between the light reflectance profile and the phase function. Here we first present an analytical model for reflectance of scattered light at an arbitrary source-detector separation by forward-peaked scattering media such as biological tissue and cells. The model incorporates the improved small-angle scattering approximation (SAA) to radiative transfer for sub-diffusive light reflectance and expresses the dependence of the light reflectance on the phase function of the scattering medium in a closed form. A spreading length scale, lΘ, is found to characterise subdiffusive light reflectance at the high spatial frequency (close separation) limit. After validation by Monte Carlo simulations, we then demonstrate the application of the model in accurate determination of the complete set of optical properties and the phase function of a turbid medium from the profile of subdiffusive and diffusive light reflectance.
Understanding Ammonium Transport in Bioelectrochemical Systems towards its Recovery
Authors: Liu Ying , Qin Mohan , Luo Shuai , He Zhen , Qiao Rui 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe report an integrated experimental and simulation study of ammonia recovery using microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). The transport of various species during the batch-mode operation of an MEC was examined experimentally and the results were used to validate the mathematical model for such an operation. It was found that, while the generated electrical current through the system tends to acidify (or basify) the anolyte (or catholyte), their effects are buffered by a cascade of chemical groups such as the NH3/NH4+ group, leading to relatively stable pH values in both anolyte and catholyte. The transport of NH4+ ions accounts for ~90% of the total current, thus quantitatively confirming that the NH4+ ions serve as effective proton shuttles during MEC operations. Analysis further indicated that, because of the Donnan equilibrium at cation exchange membrane-anolyte/catholyte interfaces, the Na+ ion in the anolyte actually facilitates the transport of NH4+ ions during the early stage of a batch cycle and they compete with the NH4+ ions weakly at later time. These insights, along with a new and simple method for predicting the strength of ammonia diffusion from the catholyte toward the anolyte, will help effective design and operation of bioeletrochemical system-based ammonia recovery systems.
Activation of innate antiviral immune response via double-stranded RNA-dependent RLR receptor-mediated necroptosis
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Wei-Hua , Azadzoi Kazem M. , Su Ning , Dai Peng , Sun Jianbin , Wang Qin , Liang Ping , Zhang Wentao , Lei Xiaoying , Yan Zhen , Yang Jing-Hua 
Published: March 2016

AbstractViruses induce double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in the host cells. The mammalian system has developed dsRNA-dependent recognition receptors such as RLRs that recognize the long stretches of dsRNA as PAMPs to activate interferon-mediated antiviral pathways and apoptosis in severe infection. Here we report an efficient antiviral immune response through dsRNA-dependent RLR receptor-mediated necroptosis against infections from different classes of viruses. We demonstrated that virus-infected A549 cells were efficiently killed in the presence of a chimeric RLR receptor, dsCARE. It measurably suppressed the interferon antiviral pathway but promoted IL-1β production. Canonical cell death analysis by morphologic assessment, phosphatidylserine exposure, caspase cleavage and chemical inhibition excluded the involvement of apoptosis and consistently suggested RLR receptor-mediated necroptosis as the underlying mechanism of infected cell death. The necroptotic pathway was augmented by the formation of RIP1-RIP3 necrosome, recruitment of MLKL protein and the activation of cathepsin D. Contributing roles of RIP1 and RIP3 were confirmed by gene knockdown. Furthermore, the necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1 but not the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD impeded dsCARE-dependent infected cell death. Our data provides compelling evidence that the chimeric RLR receptor shifts the common interferon antiviral responses of infected cells to necroptosis and leads to rapid death of the virus-infected cells. This mechanism could be targeted as an efficient antiviral strategy.
All-optical control of three-photon spectra and time asymmetry in a strongly coupled cavity polariton system
Authors: Zhang X. , Li R. , Wu Haibin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractManipulating the nature of photons emission is one of the basic tasks in quantum optics and photonics. The ever growing list of quantum applications requires a robust means of controlling the strongly coupled coherent interaction of photons and matter. Here, we investigate three-photon transmission spectra in a strongly coupled cavity polariton system and show that the correlation functions and transmitted photon stream can be optically manipulated. The dynamics of single photons and photon pairs at the polariton resonances can be changed by light from a single external coupling laser. At the “dark-state polariton,” three-photon transmission is a perfectly coherent field in contrast to the strong photon-bunching behavior of a typical cavity quantum electrodynamics system. When the detuned probe light is tuned to the “bright polariton,” the light exhibits a dramatic photon antibunching effect. Remarkably, the Fano-resonant asymmetric three-photon transmission caused by the interference between the dressed states leads to a new quantum feature that is strongly nonclassical (the third-order correlation function g(3)(0, 0) ≪ 1) and has a wide and tunable bandwidth. The dependence of the intrinsic third-order correlation and time symmetry of the photon stream on the controlled parameters is also examined. Strongly nonclassical, all-optically controllable multi-photon dynamics are very important for future quantum devices and metrology.
Toll-like Receptor 9 Can be Activated by Endogenous Mitochondrial DNA to Induce Podocyte Apoptosis
Authors: Bao Wenduona , Xia Hong , Liang Yaojun , Ye Yuting , Lu Yuqiu , Xu Xiaodong , Duan Aiping , He Jing , Chen Zhaohong , Wu Yan , Wang Xia , Zheng Chunxia , Liu Zhihong , Shi Shaolin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractToll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) senses bacterial DNA characteristic of unmethylated CpG motifs to induce innate immune response. TLR9 is de novo expressed in podocytes of some patients with glomerular diseases, but its role in podocyte injury remains undetermined. Since TLR9 activates p38 MAPK and NFkB that are known to mediate podocyte apoptosis, we hypothesized that TLR9 induces podocyte apoptosis in glomerular diseases. We treated immortalized podocytes with puromycin aminonucleosides (PAN) and observed podocyte apoptosis, accompanied by TLR9 upregulation. Prevention of TLR9 upregulation by siRNA significantly attenuated NFκB p65 or p38 activity and apoptosis, demonstrating that TLR9 mediates podocyte apoptosis. We next showed that endogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), whose CpG motifs are also unmethylated, is the ligand for TLR9, because PAN induced mtDNA accumulation in endolysosomes where TLR9 is localized, overexpression of endolysosomal DNase 2 attenuated PAN-induced p38 or p65 activity and podocyte apoptosis and DNase 2 silencing was sufficient to activate p38 or p65 and induce apoptosis. In PAN-treated rats, TLR9 was upregulated in the podocytes, accompanied by increase of apoptosis markers. Thus, de novo expressed TLR9 may utilize endogenous mtDNA as the ligand to facilitate podocyte apoptosis, a novel mechanism underlying podocyte injury in glomerular diseases.
Berberine Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Suppresses Liver and Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Mice with Diet-induced Obesity
Authors: Guo Ting , Woo Shih-Lung , Guo Xin , Li Honggui , Zheng Juan , Botchlett Rachel , Liu Mengyang , Pei Ya , Xu Hang , Cai Yuli , Zeng Tianshu , Chen Lulu , Li Xiaodong , Li Qifu , Xiao Xiaoqiu , Huo Yuqing , Wu Chaodong 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIncreasing evidence demonstrates that berberine (BBR) is beneficial for obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it remains to be elucidated how BBR improves aspects of NAFLD. Here we revealed an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-independent mechanism for BBR to suppress obesity-associated inflammation and improve hepatic steatosis. In C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), treatment with BBR decreased inflammation in both the liver and adipose tissue as indicated by reduction of the phosphorylation state of JNK1 and the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines. BBR treatment also decreased hepatic steatosis, as well as the expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase. Interestingly, treatment with BBR did not significantly alter the phosphorylation state of AMPK in both the liver and adipose tissue of HFD-fed mice. Consistently, BBR treatment significantly decreased the phosphorylation state of JNK1 in both hepatoma H4IIE cells and mouse primary hepatocytes in both dose-dependent and time-dependent manners, which was independent of AMPK phosphorylation. BBR treatment also caused a decrease in palmitate-induced fat deposition in primary mouse hepatocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that BBR actions on improving aspects of NAFLD are largely attributable to BBR suppression of inflammation, which is independent of AMPK.
SAMHD1 transcript upregulation during SIV infection of the central nervous system does not associate with reduced viral load
Authors: Buchanan Erin L. , Espinoza Diego A. , McAlexander Melissa A. , Myers Stephanie L. , Moyer Adam , Witwer Kenneth W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRestriction of HIV-1 in myeloid-lineage cells is attributed in part to the nucleotidase activity of the SAM-domain and HD-domain containing protein (SAMHD1), which depletes free nucleotides, blocking reverse transcription. In the same cells, the Vpx protein of HIV-2 and most SIVs counteracts SAMHD1. Both Type I and II interferons may stimulate SAMHD1 transcription. The contributions of SAMHD1 to retroviral restriction in the central nervous system (CNS) have been the subject of limited study. We hypothesized that SAMHD1 would respond to interferon in the SIV-infected CNS but would not control virus due to SIV Vpx. Accordingly, we investigated SAMHD1 transcript abundance and association with the Type I interferon response in an SIV model. SAMHD1 transcript levels were IFN responsive, increasing during acute phase infection and decreasing during a more quiescent phase, but generally remaining elevated at all post-infection time points.In vitro, SAMHD1 transcript was abundant in macaque astrocytes and further induced by Type I interferon, while IFN produced a weaker response in the more permissive environment of the macrophage. We cannot rule out a contribution of SAMHD1 to retroviral restriction in relatively non-permissive CNS cell types. We encourage additional research in this area, particularly in the context of HIV-1 infection.
Comparative evaluation of p5+14 with SAP and peptide p5 by dual-energy SPECT imaging of mice with AA amyloidosis
Authors: Martin Emily B. , Williams Angela , Richey Tina , Stuckey Alan , Heidel R. Eric , Kennel Stephen J. , Wall Jonathan S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAmyloidosis is a protein-misfolding disorder characterized by the extracellular deposition of amyloid, a complex matrix composed of protein fibrils, hyper-sulphated glycosaminoglycans and serum amyloid P component (SAP). Accumulation of amyloid in visceral organs results in the destruction of tissue architecture leading to organ dysfunction and failure. Early differential diagnosis and disease monitoring are critical for improving patient outcomes; thus, whole body amyloid imaging would be beneficial in this regard. Non-invasive molecular imaging of systemic amyloid is performed in Europe by using iodine-123-labelled SAP; however, this tracer is not available in the US. Therefore, we evaluated synthetic, poly-basic peptides, designated p5 and p5+14, as alternative radiotracers for detecting systemic amyloidosis. Herein, we perform a comparative effectiveness evaluation of radiolabelled peptide p5+14 with p5 and SAP, in amyloid-laden mice, using dual-energy SPECT imaging and tissue biodistribution measurements. All three radiotracers selectively bound amyloid in vivo; however, p5+14 was significantly more effective as compared to p5 in certain organs. Moreover, SAP bound principally to hepatosplenic amyloid, whereas p5+14 was broadly distributed in numerous amyloid-laden anatomic sites, including the spleen, liver, pancreas, intestines and heart. These data support clinical validation of p5+14 as an amyloid radiotracer for patients in the US.
Bifunctional hairy silica nanoparticles as high-performance additives for lubricant
Authors: Sui Tianyi , Song Baoyu , Wen Yu-ho , Zhang Feng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBifunctional hairy silica nanoparticles (BHSNs), which are silica nanoparticles covered with alkyl and amino organic chains, were prepared as high-performance additives for lubricants. Compared with hairy silica nanoparticles covered by a single type of organic chain, binary hairy silica nanoparticles exhibit the advantages of both types of organic chains, which exhibit excellent compatibility with lubricants and adsorbability to metal surfaces. Nanoparticles with different ratios of amino and alkyl ligands were investigated. In comparison to an untreated lubricant, BHSNs reduce the friction coefficient and wear scar diameter by 40% and 60%, respectively. The wear mechanism of BHSNs was investigated and the protective and filling effect of the nanoparticles improved because of collaboration of amino and alkyl ligands.
Probing Leader Cells in Endothelial Collective Migration by Plasma Lithography Geometric Confinement
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Jamilpour Nima , Yao Baoyin , Dean Zachary S. , Riahi Reza , Wong Pak Kin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWhen blood vessels are injured, leader cells emerge in the endothelium to heal the wound and restore the vasculature integrity. The characteristics of leader cells during endothelial collective migration under diverse physiological conditions, however, are poorly understood. Here we investigate the regulation and function of endothelial leader cells by plasma lithography geometric confinement generated. Endothelial leader cells display an aggressive phenotype, connect to follower cells via peripheral actin cables and discontinuous adherens junctions, and lead migrating clusters near the leading edge. Time-lapse microscopy, immunostaining, and particle image velocimetry reveal that the density of leader cells and the speed of migrating clusters are tightly regulated in a wide range of geometric patterns. By challenging the cells with converging, diverging and competing patterns, we show that the density of leader cells correlates with the size and coherence of the migrating clusters. Collectively, our data provide evidence that leader cells control endothelial collective migration by regualting the migrating clusters.
A combined method for synthesis of superconducting Cu doped Bi2Se3
Authors: Wang Meng , Song Yanru , You Lixing , Li Zhuojun , Gao Bo , Xie Xiaoming , Jiang Mianheng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe present a two-step technique for the synthesis of superconducting CuxBi2Se3. Cu0.15Bi2Se3 single crystals were synthesized using the melt-growth method. Although these samples are non-superconducting, they can be employed to generate high quality superconducting samples if used as precursors in the following electrochemical synthesis step. Samples made from Cu0.15Bi2Se3 reliably exhibit zero-resistance even under the non-optimal quenching condition, while samples made from pristine Bi2Se3 require fine tuning of the quenching conditions to achieve similar performance. Moreover, under the optimal quenching condition, the average superconducting shielding fraction was still lower in the samples made from pristine Bi2Se3 than in the samples made from Cu0.15Bi2Se3. These results suggest that the pre-doped Cu atoms facilitate the formation of a superconducting percolation network. We also discuss the useful clues that we gathered about the locations of Cu dopants that are responsible for superconductivity.
Calcium-insensitive splice variants of mammalian E1 subunit of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex with tissue-specific patterns of expression
Authors: Denton Richard M. , Pullen Timothy J. , Armstrong Craig T. , Heesom Kate J. , Rutter Guy A. 
Published: March 2016

The 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) complex is an important control point in vertebrate mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, including in the citrate cycle and catabolism of alternative fuels including glutamine. It is subject to allosteric regulation by NADH and the ATP/ADP ratio, and by Ca2+ through binding to the E1 subunit. The latter involves a unique Ca2+-binding site which includes D114ADLD (site 1). Here, we describe three splice variants of E1 in which either the exon expressing this site is replaced with another exon (loss of site 1, LS1) or an additional exon is expressed leading to the insertion of 15 amino acids just downstream of site 1 (Insert), or both changes occur together (LS1/Insert). We show that all three variants are essentially Ca2+-insensitive. Comparison of massive parallel sequence (RNA-Seq) databases demonstrates predominant expression of the Ca2+-sensitive archetype form in heart and skeletal muscle, but substantial expression of the Ca2+-insensitive variants in brain, pancreatic islets and other tissues. Detailed proteomic and activity studies comparing OGDH complexes from rat heart and brain confirmed the substantial difference in expression between these tissues. The evolution of OGDH variants was explored using bioinformatics, and this indicated that Ca2+-sensitivity arose with the emergence of chordates. In all species examined, this was associated with the co-emergence of Ca2+-insensitive variants suggesting a retained requirement for the latter in some settings. Tissue-specific expression of OGDH splice variants may thus provide a mechanism that tunes the control of the enzyme to the specialized metabolic and signalling needs of individual cell types.
Development of a stable ERroGFP variant suitable for monitoring redox dynamics in the ER
Authors: Hoseki Jun , Oishi Asami , Fujimura Takaaki , Sakai Yasuyoshi 
Published: March 2016

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an essential organelle for cellular metabolic homeostasis including folding and maturation of secretory and membrane proteins. Disruption of ER proteostasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. The ER redox state, which is an oxidative environment suitable for disulfide-bond formation, is essential for ER protein quality control. Hence, detection of the ER redox state, especially in living cells, is essential to understand the mechanism by which the redox state of the ER is maintained. However, methods to detect the redox state of the ER have not been well-established because of inefficient folding and stability of roGFP variants with oxidative redox potential like roGFP-iL. Here we have improved the folding efficiency of ER-targeted roGFP-iL (ERroGFP-iL) in cells by introducing superfolder GFP (sfGFP) mutations. Four specific amino acid substitutions (S30R, Y39N, T105N and I171V) greatly improved folding efficiency in Escherichia coli and in the ER of HeLa cells, as well as the thermostability of the purified proteins. Introduction of these mutations also enhanced the dynamic range for redox change both in vitro and in the ER of living cells. ER-targeted roGFP-S4 (ERroGFP-S4) possessing these four mutations could detect physiological redox changes within the ER. ERroGFP-S4 is therefore a novel probe suitable for monitoring redox change in the ER. ERroGFP-S4 can be applied to detect aberrant ER redox states associated with various pathological conditions and to identify the mechanisms used to maintain the redox state of the ER.
Miniaturised wideband bandpass filter based on harmonic suppressed dual transmission lines
Authors: Zhang Bo , Wu Yongle , Yu Cuiping , Liu Yuanan 
Published: March 2016

A novel miniaturised wideband bandpass filter (BPF) based on harmonic suppressed dual transmission lines (DTLs) is introduced with enhanced upper stopband rejection and passaband selectivity. The transmission and harmonic suppression characteristics of series and parallel connected DTLs are analysed adopting even–odd mode method. To verify the proposed structure, a high selective wideband BPF centred at 1.86 GHz with a fractional bandwidth of 93.5% is designed and fabricated. The upper stopband is extended up to 8.8 GHz (4.7f0) with the suppression level of above 35 dB. Furthermore, a size reduction of 30% can be achieved in proposed BPF, compared with conventional wideband BPF based on quarter‐wavelength transmission lines.
Fuzzy logic‐based loss minimisation scheme for brushless DC motor drive system
Authors: Nag Tridibesh , Santra Subhendu Bikash , Chatterjee Arunava , Chatterjee Debashis , Ganguli Ashoke K. 
Published: March 2016

Brushless DC (BLDC) motors are widely used in various low‐power drive applications owing to their several advantages over conventional motors. This study describes a fuzzy logic‐based improved loss minimisation technique for the BLDC motor drive system. The proposed algorithm uses selective harmonic elimination‐based pulse‐width modulation to optimise both the converter switching losses along with machine core and copper losses based on a speed‐ and load‐dependent fuzzy rule matrix. The optimum switching angles eliminating lower‐order harmonics are calculated offline and stored in microcontroller memory for online application. The suitability of the proposed control is well demonstrated through simulation and experimental results on a practical 350 W BLDC machine.
Leukocyte integrin α
L
β
2
headpiece structures: The αI domain, the pocket for the internal ligand, and concerted movements of its loops
Authors: Sen Mehmet , Springer Timothy A. 
Published: March 2016

Significance
αI integrins have 13 extracellular domains in two subunits; communication between these domains is key to regulating affinity. Structures of integrins that contain a special ligand-binding domain, the αI domain, reveal it is linked in a highly flexible manner to the β-propeller domain. Differences among αI integrin β-propeller domains concentrate at the interface with the αI domain and the binding pocket for an internal ligand that relays allostery between αI and βI domains. We reveal in many integrins a mechanism by which allostery can be communicated by concerted motions of two loops that form the interface in the βI domain for both internal and external ligands. The motions markedly increase complementarity for ligands.