bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
4π-periodic Josephson supercurrent in HgTe-based topological Josephson junctions
Authors: Wiedenmann J. , Bocquillon E. , Deacon R. S. , Hartinger S. , Herrmann O. , Klapwijk T. M. , Maier L. , Ames C. , Brüne C. , Gould C. , Oiwa A. , Ishibashi K. , Tarucha S. , Buhmann H. , Molenkamp L. W. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe Josephson effect describes the generic appearance of a supercurrent in a weak link between two superconductors. Its exact physical nature deeply influences the properties of the supercurrent. In recent years, considerable efforts have focused on the coupling of superconductors to the surface states of a three-dimensional topological insulator. In such a material, an unconventional induced p-wave superconductivity should occur, with a doublet of topologically protected gapless Andreev bound states, whose energies vary 4π-periodically with the superconducting phase difference across the junction. In this article, we report the observation of an anomalous response to rf irradiation in a Josephson junction made of a HgTe weak link. The response is understood as due to a 4π-periodic contribution to the supercurrent, and its amplitude is compatible with the expected contribution of a gapless Andreev doublet. Our work opens the way to more elaborate experiments to investigate the induced superconductivity in a three-dimensional insulator.
Manipulating Majorana zero modes on atomic rings with an external magnetic field
Authors: Li Jian , Neupert Titus , Bernevig B. Andrei , Yazdani Ali 
Published: January 2016

AbstractNon-Abelian quasiparticles have been predicted to exist in a variety of condensed matter systems. Their defining property is that an adiabatic braid between two of them results in a non-trivial change of the quantum state of the system. The simplest non-Abelian quasiparticles—the Majorana bound states—can occur in one-dimensional electronic nano-structures proximity-coupled to a bulk superconductor. Here we propose a set-up, based on chains of magnetic adatoms on the surface of a thin-film superconductor, in which the control over an externally applied magnetic field suffices to create and manipulate Majorana bound states. We consider specifically rings of adatoms and show that they allow for the creation, annihilation, adiabatic motion and braiding of pairs of Majorana bound states by varying the magnitude and orientation of the external magnetic field.
Peptides in headlock – a novel high-affinity and versatile peptide-binding nanobody for proteomics and microscopy
Authors: Braun Michael B. , Traenkle Bjoern , Koch Philipp A. , Emele Felix , Weiss Frederik , Poetz Oliver , Stehle Thilo , Rothbauer Ulrich 
Published: January 2016

AbstractNanobodies are highly valuable tools for numerous bioanalytical and biotechnical applications. Here, we report the characterization of a nanobody that binds a short peptide epitope with extraordinary affinity. Structural analysis reveals an unusual binding mode where the extended peptide becomes part of a β-sheet structure in the nanobody. This interaction relies on sequence-independent backbone interactions augmented by a small number of specificity-determining side chain contacts. Once bound, the peptide is fastened by two nanobody side chains that clamp it in a headlock fashion. Exploiting this unusual binding mode, we generated a novel nanobody-derived capture and detection system. Matrix-coupled nanobody enables the fast and efficient isolation of epitope-tagged proteins from prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems. Additionally, the fluorescently labeled nanobody visualizes subcellular structures in different cellular compartments. The high-affinity-binding and modifiable peptide tag of this system renders it a versatile and robust tool to combine biochemical analysis with microscopic studies.
Tuning and Freezing Disorder in Photonic Crystals using Percolation Lithography
Authors: Burgess Ian B. , Abedzadeh Navid , Kay Theresa M. , Shneidman Anna V. , Cranshaw Derek J. , Lončar Marko , Aizenberg Joanna 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAlthough common in biological systems, synthetic self-assembly routes to complex 3D photonic structures with tailored degrees of disorder remain elusive. Here we show how liquids can be used to finely control disorder in porous 3D photonic crystals, leading to complex and hierarchical geometries. In these optofluidic crystals, dynamically tunable disorder is superimposed onto the periodic optical structure through partial wetting or evaporation. In both cases, macroscopic symmetry breaking is driven by subtle sub-wavelength variations in the pore geometry. These variations direct site-selective infiltration of liquids through capillary interactions. Incorporating cross-linkable resins into our liquids, we developed methods to freeze in place the filling patterns at arbitrary degrees of partial wetting and intermediate stages of drying. These percolation lithography techniques produced permanent photonic structures with adjustable disorder. By coupling strong changes in optical properties to subtle differences in fluid behavior, optofluidic crystals may also prove useful in rapid analysis of liquids.
Tyrannosaurs as long-lived species
Authors: Weon Byung Mook 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBiodemographic analysis would be essential to understand population ecology and aging of tyrannosaurs. Here we address a methodology that quantifies tyrannosaur survival and mortality curves by utilizing modified stretched exponential survival functions. Our analysis clearly shows that mortality patterns for tyrannosaurs are seemingly analogous to those for 18th-century humans. This result suggests that tyrannosaurs would live long to undergo aging before maximum lifespans, while their longevity strategy is more alike to big birds rather than 18th-century humans.
Different human vaccine adjuvants promote distinct antigen-independent immunological signatures tailored to different pathogens
Authors: Knudsen Niels Peter H. , Olsen Anja , Buonsanti Cecilia , Follmann Frank , Zhang Yuan , Coler Rhea N. , Fox Christopher B. , Meinke Andreas , D´Oro Ugo , Casini Daniele , Bonci Alessandra , Billeskov Rolf , De Gregorio Ennio , Rappuoli Rino , Harandi Ali M. , Andersen Peter , Agger Else Marie 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe majority of vaccine candidates in clinical development are highly purified proteins and peptides relying on adjuvants to enhance and/or direct immune responses. Despite the acknowledged need for novel adjuvants, there are still very few adjuvants in licensed human vaccines. A vast number of adjuvants have been tested pre-clinically using different experimental conditions, rendering it impossible to directly compare their activity. We performed a head-to-head comparison of five different adjuvants Alum, MF59®, GLA-SE, IC31® and CAF01 in mice and combined these with antigens from M. tuberculosis, influenza and chlamydia to test immune-profiles and efficacy in infection models using standardized protocols. Regardless of antigen, each adjuvant had a unique immunological signature suggesting that the adjuvants have potential for different disease targets. Alum increased antibody titers; MF59® induced strong antibody and IL-5 responses; GLA-SE induced antibodies and Th1; CAF01 showed a mixed Th1/Th17 profile and IC31® induced strong Th1 responses. MF59® and GLA-SE were strong inducers of influenza HI titers while CAF01, GLA-SE and IC31® enhanced protection to TB and chlamydia. Importantly, this is the first extensive attempt to categorize clinical-grade adjuvants based on their immune profiles and protective efficacy to inform a rational development of next generation vaccines for human use.
Homeodomain-Interacting Protein Kinase (HPK-1) regulates stress responses and ageing in C. elegans
Authors: Berber Slavica , Wood Mallory , Llamosas Estelle , Thaivalappil Priya , Lee Karen , Liao Bing Mana , Chew Yee Lian , Rhodes Aaron , Yucel Duygu , Crossley Merlin , Nicholas Hannah R 
Published: January 2016

AbstractProteins of the Homeodomain-Interacting Protein Kinase (HIPK) family regulate an array of processes in mammalian systems, such as the DNA damage response, cellular proliferation and apoptosis. The nematodeCaenorhabditis eleganshas a single HIPK homologue called HPK-1. Previous studies have implicated HPK-1 in longevity control and suggested that this protein may be regulated in a stress-dependent manner. Here we set out to expand these observations by investigating the role of HPK-1 in longevity and in the response to heat and oxidative stress. We find that levels of HPK-1 are regulated by heat stress and that HPK-1 contributes to survival following heat or oxidative stress. Additionally, we show that HPK-1 is required for normal longevity, with loss of HPK-1 function leading to a faster decline of physiological processes that reflect premature ageing. Through microarray analysis, we have found that HPK-1-regulated genes include those encoding proteins that serve important functions in stress responses such as Phase I and Phase II detoxification enzymes. Consistent with a role in longevity assurance, HPK-1 also regulates the expression of age-regulated genes. Lastly, we show that HPK-1 functions in the same pathway as DAF-16 to regulate longevity and reveal a new role for HPK-1 in development.
H2AX deficiency is associated with erythroid dysplasia and compromised haematopoietic stem cell function
Authors: Zhao Baobing , Tan Timothy L. , Mei Yang , Yang Jing , Yu Yiting , Verma Amit , Liang Ying , Gao Juehua , Ji Peng 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal disorders of haematopoiesis characterised by dysplastic changes of major myeloid cell lines. However, the mechanisms underlying these dysplastic changes are poorly understood. Here, we used a genetically modified mouse model and human patient data to examine the physiological roles of H2AX in haematopoiesis and how the loss of H2AX contributes to dyserythropoiesis in MDS. H2AX knockout mice showed cell-autonomous anaemia and erythroid dysplasia, mimicking dyserythropoiesis in MDS. Also, dyserythropoiesis was increased in MDS patients with the deletion of chromosome 11q23, where H2AX is located. Although loss of H2AX did not affect the early stage of terminal erythropoiesis, enucleation was decreased. H2AX deficiency also led to the loss of quiescence of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which dramatically compromised their bone marrow engraftment. These results reveal important roles of H2AX in late-stage terminal erythropoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell function.
Revealing the Dynamics of Thylakoid Membranes in Living Cyanobacterial Cells
Authors: Stingaciu Laura-Roxana , O’Neill Hugh , Liberton Michelle , Urban Volker S. , Pakrasi Himadri B. , Ohl Michael 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes that make major contributions to the production of the oxygen in the Earth atmosphere. The photosynthetic machinery in cyanobacterial cells is housed in flattened membrane structures called thylakoids. The structural organization of cyanobacterial cells and the arrangement of the thylakoid membranes in response to environmental conditions have been widely investigated. However, there is limited knowledge about the internal dynamics of these membranes in terms of their flexibility and motion during the photosynthetic process. We present a direct observation of thylakoid membrane undulatory motion in vivo and show a connection between membrane mobility and photosynthetic activity. High-resolution inelastic neutron scattering experiments on the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 assessed the flexibility of cyanobacterial thylakoid membrane sheets and the dependence of the membranes on illumination conditions. We observed softer thylakoid membranes in the dark that have three-to four fold excess mobility compared to membranes under high light conditions. Our analysis indicates that electron transfer between photosynthetic reaction centers and the associated electrochemical proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane result in a significant driving force for excess membrane dynamics. These observations provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular architecture.
Dual strain mechanisms in a lead-free morphotropic phase boundary ferroelectric
Authors: Walker Julian , Simons Hugh , Alikin Denis O. , Turygin Anton P. , Shur Vladimir Y. , Kholkin Andrei L. , Ursic Hana , Bencan Andreja , Malic Barbara , Nagarajan Valanoor , Rojac Tadej 
Published: January 2016

AbstractElectromechanical properties such as d33 and strain are significantly enhanced at morphotropic phase boundaries (MPBs) between two or more different crystal structures. Many actuators, sensors and MEMS devices are therefore systems with MPBs, usually between polar phases in lead (Pb)-based ferroelectric ceramics. In the search for Pb-free alternatives, systems with MPBs between polar and non-polar phases have recently been theorized as having great promise. While such an MPB was identified in rare-earth (RE) modified bismuth ferrite (BFO) thin films, synthesis challenges have prevented its realization in ceramics. Overcoming these, we demonstrate a comparable electromechanical response to Pb-based materials at the polar-to-non-polar MPB in Sm modified BFO. This arises from ‘dual’ strain mechanisms: ferroelectric/ferroelastic switching and a previously unreported electric-field induced transition of an anti-polar intermediate phase. We show that intermediate phases play an important role in the macroscopic strain response and may have potential to enhance electromechanical properties at polar-to-non-polar MPBs.
Vocal complexity influences female responses to gelada male calls
Authors: Gustison Morgan L. , Bergman Thore J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractExtensive research indicates that inter-sexual selection drives the evolution of complex vocal communication in birds, but parallel lines of evidence are almost entirely absent in mammals. This dearth of evidence, particularly among primates, limits our understanding of the link between sociality and vocal complexity. Here, we use a playback experiment to quantify how wild female geladas (Theropithecus gelada) respond to three call types that are ‘derived’ (i.e., unique to geladas) and made by males during various affiliative contexts. These derived calls appeared to be highly salient and preferable to females: they looked longer towards and spent more time in proximity to playbacks of male vocal sequences containing one of the derived calls than to sequences containing only common and less elaborate ‘grunt’ calls. Our results provide the first experimental evidence for vocal elaboration as a male-specific strategy to maintain social bonds with females in non-human primates.
Fast-cycling unit of root turnover in perennial herbaceous plants in a cold temperate ecosystem
Authors: Sun Kai , Luke McCormack M. , Li Le , Ma Zeqing , Guo Dali 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRoots of perennial plants have both persistent portion and fast-cycling units represented by different levels of branching. In woody species, the distal nonwoody branch orders as a unit are born and die together relatively rapidly (within 1–2 years). However, whether the fast-cycling units also exist in perennial herbs is unknown. We monitored root demography of seven perennial herbs over two years in a cold temperate ecosystem and we classified the largest roots on the root collar or rhizome as basal roots and associated finer laterals as secondary, tertiary and quaternary roots. Parallel to woody plants in which distal root orders form a fast-cycling module, basal root and its finer laterals also represent a fast-cycling module in herbaceous plants. Within this module, basal roots had a lifespan of 0.5–2 years and represented 62–87% of total root biomass, thus dominating annual root turnover (60%–81% of the total). Moreover, root traits including root length, tissue density and biomass were useful predictors of root lifespan. We conclude that both herbaceous and woody plants have fast-cycling modular units and future studies identifying the fast-cycling module across plant species should allow better understanding of how root construction and turnover are linked to whole-plant strategies.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates in waste activated sludge enhances anaerobic methane production through improving biochemical methane potential instead of hydrolysis rate
Authors: Wang Qilin , Sun Jing , Zhang Chang , Xie Guo-Jun , Zhou Xu , Qian Jin , Yang Guojing , Zeng Guangming , Liu Yiqi , Wang Dongbo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAnaerobic sludge digestion is the main technology for sludge reduction and stabilization prior to sludge disposal. Nevertheless, methane production from anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) is often restricted by the poor biochemical methane potential and slow hydrolysis rate of WAS. This work systematically investigated the effect of PHA levels of WAS on anaerobic methane production, using both experimental and mathematical modeling approaches. Biochemical methane potential tests showed that methane production increased with increased PHA levels in WAS. Model-based analysis suggested that the PHA-based method enhanced methane production by improving biochemical methane potential of WAS, with the highest enhancement being around 40% (from 192 to 274 L CH4/kg VS added; VS: volatile solid) when the PHA levels increased from 21 to 143 mg/g VS. In contrast, the hydrolysis rate (approximately 0.10 d−1) was not significantly affected by the PHA levels. Economic analysis suggested that the PHA-based method could save $1.2/PE/y (PE: population equivalent) in a typical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The PHA-based method can be easily integrated into the current WWTP to enhance methane production, thereby providing a strong support to the on-going paradigm shift in wastewater management from pollutant removal to resource recovery.
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus infection mitigates the heat stress response of plants grown at high temperatures
Authors: Anfoka Ghandi , Moshe Adi , Fridman Lilia , Amrani Linoy , Rotem Or , Kolot Mikhail , Zeidan Mouhammad , Czosnek Henryk , Gorovits Rena 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCultured tomatoes are often exposed to a combination of extreme heat and infection with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). This stress combination leads to intense disease symptoms and yield losses. The response of TYLCV-susceptible and resistant tomatoes to heat stress together with viral infection was compared. The plant heat-stress response was undermined in TYLCV infected plants. The decline correlated with the down-regulation of heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) HSFA2 and HSFB1 and consequently, of HSF-regulated genes Hsp17, Apx1, Apx2 and Hsp90. We proposed that the weakened heat stress response was due to the decreased capacity of HSFA2 to translocate into the nuclei of infected cells. All the six TYLCV proteins were able to interact with tomato HSFA2 in vitro, moreover, coat protein developed complexes with HSFA2 in nuclei. Capturing of HSFA2 by viral proteins could suppress the transcriptional activation of heat stress response genes. Application of both heat and TYLCV stresses was accompanied by the development of intracellular large protein aggregates containing TYLCV proteins and DNA. The maintenance of cellular chaperones in the aggregated state, even after recovery from heat stress, prevents the circulation of free soluble chaperones, causing an additional decrease in stress response efficiency.
Ocean acidification increases cadmium accumulation in marine bivalves: a potential threat to seafood safety
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhao Xinguo , Han Yu , Che Zhumei , Chai Xueliang , Liu Guangxu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTo date, the effects of ocean acidification on toxic metals accumulation and the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown in marine bivalve species. In the present study, the effects of the realistic future ocean pCO2 levels on the cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the gills, mantle and adductor muscles of three bivalve species, Mytilus edulis, Tegillarca granosa and Meretrix meretrix, were investigated. The results obtained suggested that all species tested accumulated significantly higher Cd (p < 0.05) in the CO2 acidified seawater during the 30 days experiment and the health risk of Cd (based on the estimated target hazard quotients, THQ) via consumption of M. meretrix at pH 7.8 and 7.4 significantly increased 1.21 and 1.32 times respectively, suggesting a potential threat to seafood safety. The ocean acidification-induced increase in Cd accumulation may have occurred due to (i) the ocean acidification increased the concentration of Cd and the Cd2+/Ca2+ in the seawater, which in turn increased the Cd influx through Ca channel; (ii) the acidified seawater may have brought about epithelia damage, resulting in easier Cd penetration; and (iii) ocean acidification hampered Cd exclusion.
Investigation of room temperature deposited silicon dioxide thin films for surface texturisation of monocrystalline {100} silicon
Authors: Ashok Akarapu , Pal Prem 
Published: January 2016

In the fabrication of crystalline silicon‐based solar cells, silicon surface is usually texturised by wet anisotropic etchant without using any masking pattern. This method provides randomly oriented upright pyramids (or hillocks) of varying sizes. However, a surface textured with inverted pyramids yields high efficiency compared with the one textured with normal pyramids. Silicon dioxide thin films synthesised using anodic oxidation technique at room temperature are explored as etch mask in KOH solutions to texturise the Si{100} surface with inverted pyramids without patterning of the oxide layer using lithography. Oxide films of ∼50 nm thickness are synthesised in different compositions of the electrolyte under potentiodynamic regime. Thickness uniformity and refractive index of the as‐grown oxide films are measured using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Scanning electron microscope is primarily used to inspect the etched surface morphology. The composition of the electrolyte, KOH concentration and etching time are optimised for the maximum surface coverage of inverted pyramids. The surface texturing process demonstrated is very simple and economic as it utilises anodic silicon dioxide as an etch mask, which is deposited by a simple experimental setup and the process does not involve any lithography step.
The Portuguese Diaspora in Europe
Authors: Newitt Malyn 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Educated Portuguese have often looked abroad for career opportunities and this chapter looks at some categories of these estrangeirados, ranging from princesses to diplomats, political exiles, writers and artists. Parts of Portugal have always been closely integrated into the economy of Spain where seasonal migrants sought work. With the formation of the European Common Market large numbers of Portuguese settled in France and Germany and in more recent times in Switzerland, Luxemburg and Britain. This chapter looks at the experience of emigrants in these countries and reflects on their continuing impact on communities in Portugal. It became more common for emigrants to return either seasonally or on retirement and for them to retain links with the communities from which they departed.