bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Luminescent manganese-doped CsPbCl3 perovskite quantum dots
Authors: Lin Chun Che , Xu Kun Yuan , Wang Da , Meijerink Andries 
Published: April 2017

AbstractNanocrystalline cesium lead halide perovskites (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, and I) form an exciting new class of semiconductor materials showing quantum confinement. The emission color can be tuned over the full visible spectral region making them promising for light‒emitting applications. Further control over the optical and magnetic properties of quantum dots (QDs) can be achieved through doping of transition metal (TM) ions such as Mn2+or Co2+. Here we demonstrate how, following QD synthesis in the presence of a Mn‒precursor, dropwise addition of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) to the QDs in toluene results in the formation of Mn‒doped CsPbCl3QDs showing bright orange Mn2+emission around 600 nm. Evidence for successful doping is provided by excitation spectra of the Mn2+emission, with all features of the CsPbCl3QD absorption spectrum and a decrease of the 410 nm excitonic emission life time with increasing Mn‒concentration, giving evidence for enhanced exciton to Mn2+energy transfer. As a doping mechanism we propose a combination of surface etching and reconstruction and diffusion doping. The presently reported approach provides a promising avenue for doping TM ions into perovskites QDs enabling a wider control over optical and magnetic properties for this new class of QDs.
Stereopsis deficits in patients with schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population
Authors: Hui Li , Sen Xia Hai , Shu Tang An , Feng Zhou Yi , Zhong Yin Guang , Long Hu Xing , Dong Du Xiang , Tang Yong 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAlthough cognitive and sensory deficits have been identified as a core feature of schizophrenia, only a small portion of visual sensorium has been explored. To date, studies on visual system of three-dimensional percepts based on two-dimensional information still are limited. This study is the first to examine the integrity of stereopsis of schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population, and to further investigate the correlation of stereopsis with clinical symptoms. 100 patients with schizophrenia and 80 healthy controls were recruited. We assessed stereoacuity using the Titmus Stereopsis Test and clinical symptoms using Chinese versions of the Scales for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms (SAPS and SANS). There was a significant difference in log seconds of arc between two groups (p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with correct stereopsis detection was significantly reduced at 400, 200, 140, 100, 80, 60, 50, and 40 seconds of arc than healthy controls (all, p < 0.01). Log seconds of arc in patients was not correlated with total scores and subscores of SAPS and SANS (all, p > 0.05). Our findings support that patients with schizophrenia have a marked deficit of stereopsis in a Han Chinese population. However, clinical symptoms do not influence stereopsis of schizophrenia.
A 3D-engineered porous conduit for peripheral nerve repair
Authors: Tao Jie , Hu Yu , Wang Shujuan , Zhang Jiumeng , Liu Xuan , Gou Zhiyuan , Cheng Hao , Liu Qianqi , Zhang Qianqian , You Shenglan , Gou Maling 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEnd-to-end neurorrhaphy is the most commonly used method for treating peripheral nerve injury. However, only 50% of patients can regain useful function after treating with neurorrhaphy. Here, we constructed a 3D-engineered porous conduit to promote the function recovery of the transected peripheral nerve after neurorrhaphy. The conduit that consisted of a gelatin cryogel was prepared by molding with 3D-printed moulds. Due to its porous structure and excellent mechanical properties, this conduit could be collapsed by the mechanical force and resumed its original shape after absorption of normal saline. This shape-memory property allowed a simply surgery process for installing the conduits. Moreover, the biodegradable conduit could prevent the infiltration of fibroblasts and reduce the risk of scar tissue, which could provide an advantageous environment for nerve regeneration. The efficiency of the conduits in assisting peripheral nerve regeneration after neurorrhaphy was evaluated in a rat sciatic nerve transected model. Results indicated that conduits significantly benefitted the recovery of the transected peripheral nerve after end-to-end neurorrhaphy on the static sciatic index (SSI), electrophysiological results and the re-innervation of the gastrocnemius muscle. This work demonstrates a biodegradable nerve conduit that has potentially clinical application in promoting the neurorrhaphy.
Mutations in PMR1 stimulate xylose isomerase activity and anaerobic growth on xylose of engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae by influencing manganese homeostasis
Authors: Verhoeven Maarten D. , Lee Misun , Kamoen Lycka , van den Broek Marcel , Janssen Dick B. , Daran Jean-Marc G. , van Maris Antonius J. A. , Pronk Jack T. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCombined overexpression of xylulokinase, pentose-phosphate-pathway enzymes and a heterologous xylose isomerase (XI) is required but insufficient for anaerobic growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on d-xylose. Single-step Cas9-assisted implementation of these modifications yielded a yeast strain expressing Piromyces XI that showed fast aerobic growth on d-xylose. However, anaerobic growth required a 12-day adaptation period. Xylose-adapted cultures carried mutations in PMR1, encoding a Golgi Ca2+/Mn2+ ATPase. Deleting PMR1 in the parental XI-expressing strain enabled instantaneous anaerobic growth on d-xylose. In pmr1 strains, intracellular Mn2+ concentrations were much higher than in the parental strain. XI activity assays in cell extracts and reconstitution experiments with purified XI apoenzyme showed superior enzyme kinetics with Mn2+ relative to other divalent metal ions. This study indicates engineering of metal homeostasis as a relevant approach for optimization of metabolic pathways involving metal-dependent enzymes. Specifically, it identifies metal interactions of heterologous XIs as an underexplored aspect of engineering xylose metabolism in yeast.
A Study on Fast Gates for Large-Scale Quantum Simulation with Trapped Ions
Authors: Taylor Richard L. , Bentley Christopher D. B. , Pedernales Julen S. , Lamata Lucas , Solano Enrique , Carvalho André R. R. , Hope Joseph J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractLarge-scale digital quantum simulations require thousands of fundamental entangling gates to construct the simulated dynamics. Despite success in a variety of small-scale simulations, quantum information processing platforms have hitherto failed to demonstrate the combination of precise control and scalability required to systematically outmatch classical simulators. We analyse how fast gates could enable trapped-ion quantum processors to achieve the requisite scalability to outperform classical computers without error correction. We analyze the performance of a large-scale digital simulator, and find that fidelity of around 70% is realizable for π-pulse infidelities below 10−5 in traps subject to realistic rates of heating and dephasing. This scalability relies on fast gates: entangling gates faster than the trap period.
Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue Deficiency Increases Disuse-Induced Bone Loss in Male Mice
Authors: Keune Jessica A. , Wong Carmen P. , Branscum Adam J. , Iwaniec Urszula T. , Turner Russell T. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBone marrow adipose tissue (MAT) is negatively associated with bone mass. Since osteoblasts and adipocytes are derived from the same precursor cells, adipocyte differentiation may occur at the expense of osteoblast differentiation. We used MAT-deficient KitW/W−v (MAT-) mice to determine if absence of MAT reduced bone loss in hindlimb-unloaded (HU) mice. Male MAT- and wild-type (WT) mice were randomly assigned to a baseline, control or HU group (n = 10 mice/group) within each genotype and HU groups unloaded for 2 weeks. Femurs were evaluated using micro-computed tomography, histomorphometry and targeted gene profiling. MAT- mice had a greater reduction in bone volume fraction after HU than did WT mice. HU MAT- mice had elevated cancellous bone formation and resorption compared to other treatment groups as well as a unique profile of differentially expressed genes. Adoptive transfer of WT bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells reconstituted c-kit but not MAT in KitW/W−v mice. The MAT- WT → KitW/W−v mice lost cancellous bone following 2 weeks of HU. In summary, results from this study suggest that MAT deficiency was not protective, and was associated with exaggerated disuse-induced cancellous bone loss.
Performances of the hybrid between CyCa nucleocytplasmic hybrid fish and scattered mirror carp in different culture environments
Authors: Liu Xiangjiang , Liang Hongwei , Li Zhong , Liang Yongjun , Lu Cuiyun , Li Chitao , Chang Yumei , Zou Guiwei , Hu Guangfu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTo improve the performance of growth traits and survival in common carp, CyCa nucleocytoplasmic hybrid fish (C) was used as parental fish for hybridization with Russian scattered mirror carp (R). Performances in morphological characters, growth traits and survival rate were compared among the purebreds (CC & RR) and crossbreds (RC & CR) at different time period in solitary and communal rearing system, respectively. The results demonstrated that both RC and CR crossbreds inherited the grey skin color type from the mirror carp, and got the full-scale pattern from the CyCa nucleocytoplasmic hybrid fish, which suggested that the grey color dominated to red color and full-scale dominated to scattered scale. With respect to yield, the RC crossbreds perform quite great compared to the RR and CC purebreds because they have quite high growth and survival rate. In contrast to RC crossbreds, the CR crossbreds performed poorly in growth traits, together with that crosses where scattered mirror carp was used as mother (RC and RR) achieved the greatest performance for all growth traits, suggested that the maternal influence also displayed an important role in growth traits. These results indicated that the RC crossbreds will be a potential carp variety for commercial production.
Windscapes and olfactory foraging in a large carnivore
Authors: Togunov Ron R. , Derocher Andrew E. , Lunn Nicholas J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe theoretical optimal olfactory search strategy is to move cross-wind. Empirical evidence supporting wind-associated directionality among carnivores, however, is sparse. We examined satellite-linked telemetry movement data of adult female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Hudson Bay, Canada, in relation to modelled winds, in an effort to understand olfactory search for prey. In our results, the predicted cross-wind movement occurred most frequently at night during winter, the time when most hunting occurs, while downwind movement dominated during fast winds, which impede olfaction. Migration during sea ice freeze-up and break-up was also correlated with wind. A lack of orientation during summer, a period with few food resources, likely reflected reduced cross-wind search. Our findings represent the first quantitative description of anemotaxis, orientation to wind, for cross-wind search in a large carnivore. The methods are widely applicable to olfactory predators and their prey. We suggest windscapes be included as a habitat feature in habitat selection models for olfactory animals when evaluating what is considered available habitat.
Pressure-induced structural and spin transitions of Fe3S4
Authors: Huang Shengxuan , Kang Duan , Wu Xiang , Niu Jingjing , Qin Shan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractGreigite (Fe3S4), isostructural with Fe3O4 has recently attracted great scientific interests from material science to geology due to its complicated structure and electronic and magnetic configurations. Here, an investigation into the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of Fe3S4 under high pressure has been conducted by first-principle calculations based on density functional theory. The results show that a first-order phase transition of Fe3S4 would occur from the inverse spinel (SP) structure to the Cr3S4-type (CS) structure at 3.4 GPa, accompanied by a collapse of 9.7% in the volume, a redistribution of iron cations, and a half-metal to metal transition. In the CS-Fe3S4, Fe2+ located at octahedral environment firstly undergoes a transition from high-spin (HS) state to low-spin (LS) state at 8.5 GPa and Fe3+ subsequently does at 17 GPa. The Equation of State for different phases of Fe3S4 are also determined. Our results not only give some clues to explore novel materials by utilizing Fe3S4 but also shed light on the fundamental information of Fe3O4, as well as those of other SP-AB2X4 compounds.
Characterization of c-Maf+Foxp3− Regulatory T Cells Induced by Repeated Stimulation of Antigen-Presenting B Cells
Authors: Chien Chien-Hui , Yu Hui-Chieh , Chen Szu-Ying , Chiang Bor-Luen 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe role of B cells in the development of CD4+regulatory T cells has been emphasized recently. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the antigen-presenting splenic B cells converted naïve CD4+CD25−T cells into CD4+CD25+Foxp3−T cells without additional cytokines or chemicals with regulatory activity and that referred to as Treg-of-B cells. The present study further showed that Treg-of-B cells increased the IL-10-producing population, and the expression of c-Maf, inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS) as well as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) after repeated stimulation of B cells in a cell-cell contact-dependent manner. Long-term cultured Treg-of-B cells exerted IL-10 and CTLA4-mediated antigen-specific suppressive activity; moreover, the single antigen-specific Treg-of-B cells inhibited in a non-antigen-specific fashion. In conclusion, these results suggest that repeated stimulation of B cells induced IL-10-producing CD4+Foxp3−regulatory T cells in a contact-dependent manner and these Treg-of-B cells possess IL-10 and CTLA4-dependent suppressive function.
Insulin deprivation induces PP2A inhibition and tau hyperphosphorylation in hTau mice, a model of Alzheimer’s disease-like tau pathology
Authors: Gratuze Maud , Julien Jacinthe , Petry Franck R. , Morin Françoise , Planel Emmanuel 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAbnormally hyperphosphorylated tau aggregated as intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles is one of the two neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The majority of AD cases are sporadic with numerous environmental, biological and genetic risks factors. Interestingly, insulin dysfunction and hyperglycaemia are both risk factors for sporadic AD. However, how hyperglycaemia and insulin dysfunction affect tau pathology, is not well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of insulin deficiency on tau pathology in transgenic hTau mice by injecting different doses of streptozotocin (STZ), a toxin that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. One high dose of STZ resulted in marked diabetes, and five low doses led to a milder diabetes. Both groups exhibited brain tau hyperphosphorylation but no increased aggregation. Tau hyperphosphorylation correlated with inhibition of Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the main tau phosphatase. Interestingly, insulin injection 30 minutes before sacrifice partially restored tau phosphorylation to control levels in both STZ-injected groups. Our results confirm a link between insulin homeostasis and tau phosphorylation, which could explain, at least in part, a higher incidence of AD in diabetic patients.
Injection-modulated polarity conversion by charge carrier density control via a self-assembled monolayer for all-solution-processed organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Roh Jeongkyun , Lee Taesoo , Kang Chan-mo , Kwak Jeonghun , Lang Philippe , Horowitz Gilles , Kim Hyeok , Lee Changhee 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe demonstrated modulation of charge carrier densities in all-solution-processed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) by modifying the injection properties with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The all-solution-processed OFETs based on an n-type polymer with inkjet-printed Ag electrodes were fabricated as a test platform, and the injection properties were modified by the SAMs. Two types of SAMs with different dipole direction, thiophenol (TP) and pentafluorobenzene thiol (PFBT) were employed, modifying the work function of the inkjet-printed Ag (4.9 eV) to 4.66 eV and 5.24 eV with TP and PFBT treatments, respectively. The charge carrier densities were controlled by the SAM treatment in both dominant and non-dominant carrier-channel regimes. This work demonstrates that control of the charge carrier densities can be efficiently achieved by modifying the injection property with SAM treatment; thus, this approach can achieve polarity conversion of the OFETs.
Protective efficacy of Zika vaccine in AG129 mouse model
Authors: Sumathy K. , Kulkarni Bharathi , Gondu Ravi Kumar , Ponnuru Sampath Kumar , Bonguram Nagaraju , Eligeti Rakesh , Gadiyaram Sindhuja , Praturi Usha , Chougule Bhushan , Karunakaran Latha , Ella Krishna M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractZika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes asymptomatic infection or presents only mild symptoms in majority of those infected. However, vaccination for ZIKV is a public health priority due to serious congenital and neuropathological abnormalities observed as a sequelae of the virus infection in the recent epidemics. We have developed an inactivated virus vaccine with the African MR 766 strain. Here we show that two doses of the vaccine provided 100% efficacy against mortality and disease following challenge with homotypic MR 766 and the heterotypic FSS 13025 ZIKV strains in the Type I and Type II interferon deficient AG129 mice. Two doses of the vaccine elicited high titer of neutralizing antibodies in Balb/c mice, and the vaccine antisera conferred protection against virus challenge in passively immunized mice. The studies were useful to rationalize vaccine doses for protective efficacy. Furthermore, the vaccine antisera neutralized the homotypic and heterotypic ZIKV strains in vitro with equivalent efficiency. Our study suggests a single ZIKV serotype, and that the development of an effective vaccine may not be limited by the choice of virus strain.
Development and validation of a method for precise dating of female puberty in laboratory rodents: The puberty ovarian maturation score (Pub-Score)
Authors: Gaytan Francisco , Morales Concepción , Leon Silvia , Heras Violeta , Barroso Alexia , Avendaño Maria S. , Vazquez Maria J. , Castellano Juan M. , Roa Juan , Tena-Sempere Manuel 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPuberty is a key developmental event whose primary regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Precise dating of puberty is crucial for experimental (preclinical) studies on its complex neuroendocrine controlling networks. In female laboratory rodents, external signs of puberty, such as vaginal opening (VO) and epithelial cell cornification (i.e., first vaginal estrus, FE), are indirectly related to the maturational state of the ovary and first ovulation, which is the unequivocal marker of puberty. Whereas in rats, VO and FE are almost simultaneous with the first ovulation, these events are not so closely associated in mice. Moreover, external signs of puberty can be uncoupled with first ovulation in both species under certain experimental conditions. We propose herein the Pubertal Ovarian Maturation Score (Pub-score), as novel, reliable method to assess peripubertal ovarian maturation in rats and mice. This method is founded on histological evaluation of pre-pubertal ovarian maturation, based on antral follicle development, and the precise timing of first ovulation, by retrospective dating of maturational and regressive changes in corpora lutea. This approach allows exact timing of puberty within a time-window of at least two weeks after VO in both species, thus facilitating the identification and precise dating of advanced or delayed puberty under various experimental conditions.
Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes with Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanodot Hole Transport and Electronic Energy Transfer Layer
Authors: Park Young Ran , Jeong Hu Young , Seo Young Soo , Choi Won Kook , Hong Young Joon 
Published: April 2017

AbstractElectroluminescence efficiency is crucial for the application of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) in practical devices. We demonstrate that nitrogen-doped carbon nanodot (N-CD) interlayer improves electrical and luminescent properties of QD-LEDs. The N-CDs were prepared by solution-based bottom up synthesis and were inserted as a hole transport layer (HTL) between other multilayer HTL heterojunction and the red-QD layer. The QD-LEDs with N-CD interlayer represented superior electrical rectification and electroluminescent efficiency than those without the N-CD interlayer. The insertion of N-CD layer was found to provoke the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from N-CD to QD layer, as confirmed by time-integrated and -resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Moreover, hole-only devices (HODs) with N-CD interlayer presented high hole transport capability, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy also revealed that the N-CD interlayer reduced the highest hole barrier height. Thus, more balanced carrier injection with sufficient hole carrier transport feasibly lead to the superior electrical and electroluminescent properties of the QD-LEDs with N-CD interlayer. We further studied effect of N-CD interlayer thickness on electrical and luminescent performances for high-brightness QD-LEDs. The ability of the N-CD interlayer to improve both the electrical and luminescent characteristics of the QD-LEDs would be readily exploited as an emerging photoactive material for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices.
Regulation of miR163 and its targets in defense against Pseudomonas syringae in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chow Hiu Tung , Ng Danny W-K. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSmall RNAs are important regulators for a variety of biological processes, including leaf development, flowering-time, embryogenesis and defense responses. miR163 is a non-conserved miRNA and its locus has evolved recently through inverted duplication of its target genes to which they belong to the SABATH family of related small-molecule methyltransferases (MTs). In Arabidopsis thaliana, previous study demonstrated that miR163 accumulation was induced by alamethicin treatment, suggesting its roles in defense response pathways. Enhanced resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) was observed in the mir163 mutant, whereas transgenic lines overexpressing miR163 showed increase sensitivity to Pst, suggesting that miR163 is a negative regulator of defense response. Elevated level of miR163 and its targets in A. thaliana were observed upon Pst treatment, suggesting a modulating relationship between miR163 and its targets. In addition, miR163 and histone deacetylase were found to act cooperatively in mediating defense against Pst. Transgenic plants overexpressing miR163-resistant targets suggested their different contributions in defense. Results from this study revealed that the stress-inducible miR163 and its targets act in concert to modulate defense responses against bacterial pathogen in A. thaliana.