bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamics of deposition flux-dependent intrinsic film stress
Authors: Saedi Amirmehdi , Rost Marcel J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractVapour deposition on polycrystalline films can lead to extremely high levels of compressive stress, exceeding even the yield strength of the films. A significant part of this stress has a reversible nature: it disappears when the deposition is stopped and re-emerges on resumption. Although the debate on the underlying mechanism still continues, insertion of atoms into grain boundaries seems to be the most likely one. However, the required driving force has not been identified. To address the problem we analyse, here, the entire film system using thermodynamic arguments. We find that the observed, tremendous stress levels can be explained by the flux-induced entropic effects in the extremely dilute adatom gas on the surface. Our analysis justifies any adatom incorporation model, as it delivers the underlying thermodynamic driving force. Counterintuitively, we also show that the stress levels decrease, if the barrier(s) for adatoms to reach the grain boundaries are decreased.
Emerging role of lipid droplets in Aedes aegypti immune response against bacteria and Dengue virus
Authors: Barletta Ana Beatriz Ferreira , Alves Liliane Rosa , Nascimento Silva Maria Clara L. , Sim Shuzhen , Dimopoulos George , Liechocki Sally , Maya-Monteiro Clarissa M. , Sorgine Marcos H. Ferreira 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn mammals, lipid droplets (LDs) are ubiquitous organelles that modulate immune and inflammatory responses through the production of lipid mediators. In insects, it is unknown whether LDs play any role during the development of immune responses. We show thatAedes aegyptiAag2 cells – an immune responsive cell lineage – accumulates LDs when challenged withEnterobacter cloacae, Sindbis and Dengue viruses. Microarray analysis of Aag2 challenged withE.cloacaeor infected with Dengue virus revealed high transcripts levels of genes associated with lipid storage and LDs biogenesis, correlating with the increased LDs numbers in those conditions. Similarly, in mosquitoes, LDs accumulate in midgut cells in response toSerratia marcescensand Sindbis virus or when the native microbiota proliferates, following a blood meal. Also, constitutive activation of Toll and IMD pathways by knocking-down their respective negative modulators (Cactus and Caspar) increases LDs numbers in the midgut. Our results show for the first time an infection-induced LDs accumulation in response to both bacterial and viral infections inAe. Aegypti,and we propose a role for LDs in mosquito immunity. These findings open new venues for further studies in insect immune responses associated with lipid metabolism.
Building the Leviathan – Voluntary centralisation of punishment power sustains cooperation in humans
Authors: Gross Jörg , Méder Zsombor Z. , Okamoto-Barth Sanae , Riedl Arno 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe prevalence of cooperation among humans is puzzling because cooperators can be exploited by free riders. Peer punishment has been suggested as a solution to this puzzle, but cumulating evidence questions its robustness in sustaining cooperation. Amongst others, punishment fails when it is not powerful enough, or when it elicits counter-punishment. Existing research, however, has ignored that the distribution of punishment power can be the result of social interactions. We introduce a novel experiment in which individuals can transfer punishment power to others. We find that while decentralised peer punishment fails to overcome free riding, the voluntary transfer of punishment power enables groups to sustain cooperation. This is achieved by non-punishing cooperators empowering those who are willing to punish in the interest of the group. Our results show how voluntary power centralisation can efficiently sustain cooperation, which could explain why hierarchical power structures are widespread among animals and humans.
How Tissue Mechanical Properties Affect Enteric Neural Crest Cell Migration
Authors: Chevalier N.R. , Gazquez E. , Bidault L. , Guilbert T. , Vias C. , Vian E. , Watanabe Y. , Muller L. , Germain S. , Bondurand N. , Dufour S. , Fleury V. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractNeural crest cells (NCCs) are a population of multipotent cells that migrate extensively during vertebrate development. Alterations to neural crest ontogenesis cause several diseases, including cancers and congenital defects, such as Hirschprung disease, which results from incomplete colonization of the colon by enteric NCCs (ENCCs). We investigated the influence of the stiffness and structure of the environment on ENCC migration in vitro and during colonization of the gastrointestinal tract in chicken and mouse embryos. We showed using tensile stretching and atomic force microscopy (AFM) that the mesenchyme of the gut was initially soft but gradually stiffened during the period of ENCC colonization. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy revealed that this stiffening was associated with a gradual organization and enrichment of collagen fibers in the developing gut. Ex-vivo 2D cell migration assays showed that ENCCs migrated on substrates with very low levels of stiffness. In 3D collagen gels, the speed of the ENCC migratory front decreased with increasing gel stiffness, whereas no correlation was found between porosity and ENCC migration behavior. Metalloprotease inhibition experiments showed that ENCCs actively degraded collagen in order to progress. These results shed light on the role of the mechanical properties of tissues in ENCC migration during development.
Pollinator-prey conflicts in carnivorous plants: When flower and trap properties mean life or death
Authors: El-Sayed Ashraf M. , Byers John A. , Suckling David M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractInsect-pollinated carnivorous plants are expected to have higher fitness if they resolve pollinator-prey conflicts by sparing insects pollinating their flowers while trapping prey insects. We examined whether separation between flowers and traps of the carnivorous sundew species or pollinator preferences for colours of flowers enable these plants to spare pollinators. In addition, we collected odours from flowers and traps of each carnivorous species in order to identify volatile chemicals that are attractive or repellent to pollinators and prey insects. In Drosera spatulata and D. arcturi, no volatiles were detected from either their flowers or traps that could serve as kairomone attractants for insects. However, behavioural experiments indicated white colour and spatial separation between flowers and traps aid in reducing pollinator entrapment while capturing prey. In contrast, D. auriculata have flowers that are adjacent to their traps. In this species we identified chemical signals emanating from flowers that comprised an eight-component blend, while the plant’s traps emitted a unique four-component blend. The floral odour attracted both pollinator and prey insects, while trap odour only attracted prey. This is the first scientific report to demonstrate that carnivorous plants utilize visual, spatial and chemical signals to spare flower visitors while trapping prey insects.
Dynamics and plasticity of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition induced by miR-200 family inhibition
Authors: Haraguchi Takeshi , Kondo Masayuki , Uchikawa Ryo , Kobayashi Kazuyoshi , Hiramatsu Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kyousuke , Chit Ung Weng , Shimizu Takanobu , Iba Hideo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWhereas miR-200 family is known to be involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial biological process observed in normal and pathological contexts, it has been largely unclear how far the functional levels of these tiny RNAs alone can propagate the molecular events to accomplish this process within several days. By developing a potent inhibitor of miR-200 family members (TuD-141/200c), the expression of which is strictly regulatable by the Tet (tetracycline)-On system, we found using a human colorectal cell line, HCT116, that several direct gene target mRNAs (Zeb1/Zeb2, ESRP1, FN1and FHOD1) of miR-200 family were elevated with distinct kinetics. Prompt induction of the transcriptional suppressors, Zeb1/Zeb2 in turn reduced the expression levels of miR-200c/-141 locus, EpCAM, ESRP1 and E-Cad. The loss of ESRP1 subsequently switched the splicing isoforms of CD44 and p120 catenin mRNAs to mesenchymal type. Importantly, within 9 days after the release from the inhibition of miR-200 family, all of the expression changes in the 14 genes observed in this study returned to their original levels in the epithelial cells. This suggests that the inherent epithelial plasticity is supported by a weak retention of key regulatory gene expression in either the epithelial or mesenchymal states through epigenetic regulation.
How to be a dioecious fig: Chemical mimicry between sexes matters only when both sexes flower synchronously
Authors: Hossaert-McKey M. , Proffit M. , Soler C. C. L. , Chen C. , Bessière J.-M. , Schatz B. , Borges R. M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn nursery pollination mutualisms, which are usually obligate interactions, olfactory attraction of pollinators by floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is the main step in guaranteeing partner encounter. However, mechanisms ensuring the evolutionary stability of dioecious fig–pollinator mutualisms, in which female fig trees engage in pollination by deceit resulting in zero reproductive success of pollinators that visit them, are poorly understood. In dioecious figs, individuals of each sex should be selected to produce odours that their pollinating wasps cannot distinguish, especially since pollinators have usually only one choice of a nursery during their lifetime. To test the hypothesis of intersexual chemical mimicry, VOCs emitted by pollen-receptive figs of seven dioecious species were compared using headspace collection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. First, fig-flower scents varied significantly among species, allowing host-species recognition. Second, in species in which male and female figs are synchronous, intersexual VOC variation was not significant. However, in species where figs of both sexes flower asynchronously, intersexual variation of VOCs was detectable. Finally, with one exception, there was no sexual dimorphism in scent quantity. We show that there are two ways to use scent to be a dioecious fig based on differences in flowering synchrony between the sexes.
R6G molecule induced modulation of the optical properties of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets for use in ultrasensitive SPR sensing
Authors: Xue Tianyu , Yu Shansheng , Zhang Xiaoming , Zhang Xinzheng , Wang Lei , Bao Qiaoliang , Chen Caiyun , Zheng Weitao , Cui Xiaoqiang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA proper understanding of the role that molecular doping plays is essential to research on the modulation of the optical and electronic properties of graphene. The adsorption of R6G molecules onto defect-rich reduced graphene oxide nanosheets results in a shift of the Fermi energy and, consequently, a variation in the optical constants. This optical variation in the graphene nanosheets is used to develop an ultrasensitive surface plasmon resonance biosensor with a detection limit of 10−17 M (0.01 fM) at the molecular level. A density functional theory calculation shows that covalent bonds were formed between the R6G molecules and the defect sites on the graphene nanosheets. Our study reveals the important role that defects play in tailoring the properties and sensor device applications of graphene materials.
Fabrication of Triple-parted Stomata-inspired Membrane with Stimulus-responsive Functions
Authors: Kim Hyejeong , Lee Sang-Joon 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHydrogels with controllable morphologies and functional movements present a wide range of practical applications. In this work, a triple-parted stomata-inspired membrane (SIM) was fabricated using a UV light cured hydrogel by polymerization-induced diffusion of reactants. A single UV light illumination yielded the SIM that has completely-penetrating pores and semi-penetrated parts. Membranes of various shapes can be easily fabricated within a few minutes by changing the photomask design and composition of the pre-gel solution. Similar to stomatal movement, pores in the fabricated SIM open and close their aperture in response to thermal stimuli. The deformability and transparency of the SIM can be easily controlled for a given application. This SIM exhibits stimulus-response and therefore has numerous practical applications, such as filter membranes with self-adjustable pores, membrane-based sensors and functional smart membranes.
α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) expression in chordomas differentiates them from chondrosarcomas
Authors: Aviel-Ronen Sarit , Zadok Oranit , Vituri Aya , Nass Dvora , Schwartz Ignat , Avivi Camila , Barshack Iris 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAims: Chordomas and chondrosarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumours with overlapping morphological and immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics. Our aim was to evaluate the IHC expression of α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR/P504S), β-catenin and E-cadherin in chordomas relative to chondrosarcomas and assess the utility of these markers for differential diagnosis. Methods: Archival sections of 18 chordomas, 19 chondrosarcomas and 10 mature cartilage samples were immunostained and scored for AMACR, β-catenin and E-cadherin and the relative differential capacity of each marker was calculated. In addition, AMACR mRNA level was assessed in 5 chordomas by RT-PCR and evaluated by comparative CT method. Results: AMACR and β-catenin stained 88.9% and 94.1% of the chordomas respectively, 21.1% and 10.5% of the chondrosarcomas correspondingly and none of the mature cartilage samples. E-cadherin stained positively 82.4% of the chordomas, 36.8% of the chondrosarcomas and 42.9% of the mature cartilage cases. Both AMACR and β-catenin showed statistically significant difference between chordomas and chondrosarcomas (p < 0.001 for both), unlike E-cadherin. AMACR was detected at the mRNA level. Conclusions: AMACR is expressed in most of the chordomas but only in a minority of chondrosarcomas. AMACR may serve as IHC marker of chordoma with differentiating ability comparable to that of β-catenin.
Chiral tunneling in gated inversion symmetric Weyl semimetal
Authors: Bai Chunxu , Yang Yanling , Chang Kai 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBased on the chirality-resolved transfer-matrix method, we evaluate the chiral transport tunneling through Weyl semimetal multi-barrier structures created by periodic gates. It is shown that, in sharp contrast to the cases of three dimensional normal semimetals, the tunneling coefficient as a function of incident angle shows a strong anisotropic behavior. Importantly, the tunneling coefficients display an interesting "Equation missing" periodic oscillation as a function of the crystallographic angle of the structures. With the increasement of the barriers, the tunneling current shows a Fabry-Perot type interferences. For superlattice structures, the fancy miniband effect has been revealed. Our results show that the angular dependence of the first bandgap can be reduced into a Lorentz formula. The disorder suppresses the oscillation of the tunneling conductance, but would not affect its average amplitude. This is in sharp contrast to that in multi-barrier conventional semiconductor structures. Moreover, numerical results for the dependence of the angularly averaged conductance on the incident energy and the structure parameters are presented and contrasted with those in two dimensional relativistic materials. Our work suggests that the gated Weyl semimetal opens a possible new route to access to new type nanoelectronic device.
A generic selection system for improved expression and thermostability of G protein-coupled receptors by directed evolution
Authors: Klenk Christoph , Ehrenmann Janosch , Schütz Marco , Plückthun Andreas 
Published: February 2016

AbstractStructural and biophysical studies as well as drug screening approaches on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been largely hampered by the poor biophysical properties and low expression yields of this largest class of integral membrane proteins. Thermostabilisation of GPCRs by introduction of stabilising mutations has been a key factor to overcome these limitations. However, labelled ligands with sufficient affinity, which are required for selective binding to the correctly folded receptor, are often not available. Here we describe a novel procedure to improve receptor expression and stability in a generic way, independent of specific ligands, by means of directed evolution in E. coli. We have engineered a homogenous fluorescent reporter assay that only detects receptors which are correctly integrated into the inner cell membrane and, thus, discriminates functional from non-functional receptor species. When we combined this method with a directed evolution procedure we obtained highly expressing mutants of the neurotensin receptor 1 with greatly improved thermostability. By this procedure receptors with poor expression and/or low stability, for which no ligands or only ones with poor binding properties are available, can now be generated in quantities allowing detailed structural and biophysical analysis.
Assessing Cell-to-Cell DNA Methylation Variability on Individual Long Reads
Authors: Qu Wei , Tsukahara Tatsuya , Nakamura Ryohei , Yurino Hideaki , Hashimoto Shin-ichi , Tsuji Shoji , Takeda Hiroyuki , Morishita Shinichi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractUnderstanding cell-to-cell variability in cytosine methylation is essential for understanding cellular perturbation and its molecular machinery. However, conventional methylation studies have focused on the differences in the average levels between cell types while overlooking methylation heterogeneity within cell types. Little information has been uncovered using recent single-cell methods because of either technical limitations or the great labor required to process many single cells. Here, we report the highly efficient detection of cell-to-cell DNA methylation variability in liver tissue, based on comparing the methylation status of adjacent CpG sites on long sequencing reads. This method provides abundant methylation linkage information and enables genome-wide estimation of cell-to-cell variability. We observed repressed methylation variability in hypomethylated regions compared with the variability in hypomethylated regions across the genome, which we confirmed using public human sperm data. A gradual change in methylation status at the boundaries of hypomethylated regions was observed for the first time. This approach allows the concise, comprehensive assessment of cell-to-cell DNA methylation variability.
Thermally robust perpendicular Co/Pd-based synthetic antiferromagnetic coupling enabled by a W capping or buffer layer
Authors: Lee Ja-Bin , An Gwang-Guk , Yang Seung-Mo , Park Hae-Soo , Chung Woo-Seong , Hong Jin-Pyo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPerpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) that contain synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) frames show promise as reliable building blocks to meet the demands of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA)-based spintronic devices. In particular, Co/Pd multilayer-based SAFs have been widely employed due to their outstanding PMA features. However, the widespread utilization of Co/Pd multilayer SAFs coupled with an adjacent CoFeB reference layer (RL) is still a challenge due to the structural discontinuity or intermixing that occurs during high temperature annealing. Thus, we address the thermally robust characteristics of Co/Pd multilayer SAFs by controlling a W layer as a potential buffer or capping layer. The W-capped Co/Pd multilayer SAF, which acts as a pinning layer, exhibited a wide-range plateau with sharp spin-flip and near-zero remanence at the zero field. Structural analysis of the W-capped multilayer SAF exhibited single-crystal-like c-axis oriented crystalline features after annealing at 400 °C, thereby demonstrating the applicability of these frames. In addition, when the W layer serving as a buffer layer in the Co/Pd multilayer SAF was coupled with a conventional CoFeB RL, higher annealing stability up to 425 °C and prominent antiferromagnetic coupling behavior were obtained.
Prognostic role of urinary collecting system invasion in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Luyao , Li Hongzhao , Gu Liangyou , Ma Xin , Li Xintao , Zhang Fan , Gao Yu , Fan Yang , Zhang Yu , Xie Yongpeng , Zhang Xu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe relationship between urinary collecting system invasion (UCSI) and oncological outcomes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients has attracted extensive attention recent years. However, the reports were inconsistent and remain controversial. Thus, we performed a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies up to June 2015 and conducted a standard meta-analysis of survival outcomes. 17 studies containing 9012 RCC patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Pooled HRs for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were 1.45 (95% CI, 1.26–1.66, P < 0.001) and 2.27 (95% CI, 1.54–3.34, P < 0.001), respectively. Further subgroup analysis suggested that UCSI was significant associated with poor cancer-specific survival (CSS) in stage T1–T2 RCC (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.43–2.96, P < 0.001) but not in stage T3–T4 tumors (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.63–1.85, P = 0.771). Current evidence revealed that UCSI has a significant negative impact on OS and RFS in RCC patients and could be used to predict CSS especially in localized RCC. Thus, RCC patients with UCSI should be paid more attention by clinician and pathologist and require close follow up for their poor prognosis.
Creating a zero-order resonator using an optical surface transformation
Authors: Sun Fei , Ge Xiaochen , He Sailing 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA novel zero-order resonator has been designed by an optical surface transformation (OST) method. The resonator proposed here has many novel features. Firstly, the mode volume can be very small (e.g. in the subwavelength scale). Secondly, the resonator is open (no reflecting walls are utilized) and resonant effects can be found in a continuous spectrum (i.e. a continuum of eigenmodes). Thirdly, we only need one homogenous medium to realize the proposed resonator. The shape of the resonator can be a ring structure of arbitrary shape. In addition to the natural applications (e.g. optical storage) of an optical resonator, we also suggest some other applications of our novel optical open resonator (e.g. power combination, squeezing electromagnetic energy in the free space).