bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantum entanglement of identical particles by standard information-theoretic notions
Authors: Lo Franco Rosario , Compagno Giuseppe 
Published: February 2016

AbstractQuantum entanglement of identical particles is essential in quantum information theory. Yet, its correct determination remains an open issue hindering the general understanding and exploitation of many-particle systems. Operator-based methods have been developed that attempt to overcome the issue. Here we introduce a state-based method which, as second quantization, does not label identical particles and presents conceptual and technical advances compared to the previous ones. It establishes the quantitative role played by arbitrary wave function overlaps, local measurements and particle nature (bosons or fermions) in assessing entanglement by notions commonly used in quantum information theory for distinguishable particles, like partial trace. Our approach furthermore shows that bringing identical particles into the same spatial location functions as an entangling gate, providing fundamental theoretical support to recent experimental observations with ultracold atoms. These results pave the way to set and interpret experiments for utilizing quantum correlations in realistic scenarios where overlap of particles can count, as in Bose-Einstein condensates, quantum dots and biological molecular aggregates.
Bidirectional associations between rheumatoid arthritis and depression: a nationwide longitudinal study
Authors: Lu Ming-Chi , Guo How-Ran , Lin Miao-Chiu , Livneh Hanoch , Lai Ning-Sheng , Tsai Tzung-Yi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) and depression may be associated with each other pathophysiologically, but few studies have been conducted on the interplay between these two diseases using longitudinal measurement. Therefore, we used the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan to investigate the bidirectional associations between RA and depression. One cohort was included to analyze RA predicting the onset of depression and a second cohort for analysis of depression predicting RA. A sex- and age-matched control group was included for both. The incidence of depression in RA subjects was higher than in non-RA subjects [15.69 vs. 8.95 per 1,000 person-years (PYs)], with an adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.69 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.51–1.87]. The incidence of RA was higher in depressed than non-depressed individuals (2.07 vs. 1.21 per 1,000 PYs), with an adjusted HRs of 1.65 (95% CI, 1.41–1.77). This population-based cohort study suggested strong bidirectional relationships between RA and depression. Healthcare providers are recommended to facilitate the implementation of more effective therapeutic interventions to achieve favorable prognosis, especially for those with new-onset or younger cases.
Impact of Measurement Uncertainties on Receptor Modeling of Speciated Atmospheric Mercury
Authors: Cheng I. , Zhang L. , Xu X. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractGaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particle-bound mercury (PBM) measurement uncertainties could potentially affect the analysis and modeling of atmospheric mercury. This study investigated the impact of GOM measurement uncertainties on Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Absolute Principal Component Scores (APCS) and Concentration-Weighted Trajectory (CWT) receptor modeling results. The atmospheric mercury data input into these receptor models were modified by combining GOM and PBM into a single reactive mercury (RM) parameter and excluding low GOM measurements to improve the data quality. PCA and APCS results derived from RM or excluding low GOM measurements were similar to those in previous studies, except for a non-unique component and an additional component extracted from the RM dataset. The percent variance explained by the major components from a previous study differed slightly compared to RM and excluding low GOM measurements. CWT results were more sensitive to the input of RM than GOM excluding low measurements. Larger discrepancies were found between RM and GOM source regions than those between RM and PBM. Depending on the season, CWT source regions of RM differed by 40–61% compared to GOM from a previous study. No improvement in correlations between CWT results and anthropogenic mercury emissions were found.
All-carbon multi-electrode array for real-time in vitro measurements of oxidizable neurotransmitters
Authors: Picollo Federico , Battiato Alfio , Bernardi Ettore , Plaitano Marilena , Franchino Claudio , Gosso Sara , Pasquarelli Alberto , Carbone Emilio , Olivero Paolo , Carabelli Valentina 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe report on the ion beam fabrication of all-carbon multi electrode arrays (MEAs) based on 16 graphitic micro-channels embedded in single-crystal diamond (SCD) substrates. The fabricated SCD-MEAs are systematically employed for the in vitro simultaneous amperometric detection of the secretory activity from populations of chromaffin cells, demonstrating a new sensing approach with respect to standard techniques. The biochemical stability and biocompatibility of the SCD-based device combined with the parallel recording of multi-electrodes array allow: i) a significant time saving in data collection during drug screening and/or pharmacological tests over a large number of cells, ii) the possibility of comparing altered cell functionality among cell populations, and iii) the repeatition of acquisition runs over many cycles with a fully non-toxic and chemically robust bio-sensitive substrate.
Limited Antigenic Diversity in Contemporary H7 Avian-Origin Influenza A Viruses from North America
Authors: Xu Yifei , Bailey Elizabeth , Spackman Erica , Li Tao , Wang Hui , Long Li-Ping , Baroch John A. , Cunningham Fred L. , Lin Xiaoxu , Jarman Richard G. , DeLiberto Thomas J. , Wan Xiu-Feng 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSubtype H7 avian–origin influenza A viruses (AIVs) have caused at least 500 confirmed human infections since 2003 and culling of >75 million birds in recent years. Here we antigenically and genetically characterized 93 AIV isolates from North America (85 from migratory waterfowl [1976–2010], 7 from domestic poultry [1971–2012], and 1 from a seal [1980]). The hemagglutinin gene of these H7 viruses are separated from those from Eurasia. Gradual accumulation of nucleotide and amino acid substitutions was observed in the hemagglutinin of H7 AIVs from waterfowl and domestic poultry. Genotype characterization suggested that H7 AIVs in wild birds form diverse and transient internal gene constellations. Serologic analyses showed that the 93 isolates cross-reacted with each other to different extents. Antigenic cartography showed that the average antigenic distance among them was 1.14 units (standard deviation [SD], 0.57 unit) and that antigenic diversity among the H7 isolates we tested was limited. Our results suggest that the continuous genetic evolution has not led to significant antigenic diversity for H7 AIVs from North America. These findings add to our understanding of the natural history of IAVs and will inform public health decision-making regarding the threat these viruses pose to humans and poultry.
Aberrant Methylation of RASSF1A Closely Associated with HNSCC, a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Meng Rui-Wei , Li Yun-Cheng , Chen Xiong , Huang Yang-Xin , Shi Hao , Du Dan-Dan , Niu Xun , Lu Cheng , Lu Mei-Xia 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe RAS association domain family protein 1a (RASSF1A), a tumor suppressor gene at 3p21.3, plays a very important role in various cancers, including the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Hypermethylation of CpG islands in the RASSF1A promoter region contribute to epigenetic inactivation. However, the association between RASSF1A promoter methylation and HNSCC remains unclear and controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed in the study to identify the association. We identified the eligible studies through searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases with a systematic searching strategy. The information on characteristics of each study and prevalence of RASSF1A methylation were collected. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Meta-regression was performed to analyze heterogeneity and funnel plots were applied to evaluate publication bias. A total of 550 HNSCC patients and 404 controls from twelve eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association was observed between RASSF1A methylation status and HNSCC risk under a random-effects model (OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.58–5.46). There was no significant publication bias observed. The meta-analysis suggested that there was a significant association between aberrant RASSF1A methylation and HNSCC.
Astrocyte-to-neuron intercellular prion transfer is mediated by cell-cell contact
Authors: Victoria Guiliana Soraya , Arkhipenko Alexander , Zhu Seng , Syan Sylvie , Zurzolo Chiara 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPrion diseases are caused by misfolding of the cellular protein PrPC
to an infectious conformer, PrPSc. Intercellular PrPSc
transfer propagates conversion and allows infectivity to move from the periphery to
the brain. However, how prions spread between cells of the central nervous system is
unclear. Astrocytes are specialized non-neuronal cells within the brain that have a
number of functions indispensable for brain homeostasis. Interestingly, they are one
of the earliest sites of prion accumulation in the brain. A fundamental question
arising from this observation is whether these cells are involved in intercellular
prion transfer and thereby disease propagation. Using co-culture systems between
primary infected astrocytes and granule neurons or neuronal cell lines, we provide
direct evidence that prion-infected astrocytes can disseminate prion to neurons.
Though astrocytes are capable of secreting PrP, this is an inefficient method of
transferring prion infectivity. Efficient transfer required co-culturing and direct
cell contact. Astrocytes form numerous intercellular connections including tunneling
nanotubes, containing PrPSc, often colocalized with endolysosomal
vesicles, which may constitute the major mechanism of transfer. Because of their
role in intercellular transfer of prions astrocytes may influence progression of the
disease.
Dark States in the Light-Harvesting complex 2 Revealed by Two-dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy
Authors: Ferretti Marco , Hendrikx Ruud , Romero Elisabet , Southall June , Cogdell Richard J. , Novoderezhkin Vladimir I. , Scholes Gregory D. , van Grondelle Rienk 
Published: February 2016

AbstractEnergy transfer and trapping in the light harvesting antennae of purple photosynthetic bacteria is an ultrafast process, which occurs with a quantum efficiency close to unity. However the mechanisms behind this process have not yet been fully understood. Recently it was proposed that low-lying energy dark states, such as charge transfer states and polaron pairs, play an important role in the dynamics and directionality of energy transfer. However, it is difficult to directly detect those states because of their small transition dipole moment and overlap with the B850/B870 exciton bands. Here we present a new experimental approach, which combines the selectivity of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy with the availability of genetically modified light harvesting complexes, to reveal the presence of those dark states in both the genetically modified and the wild-type light harvesting 2 complexes of Rhodopseudomonas palustris. We suggest that Nature has used the unavoidable charge transfer processes that occur when LH pigments are concentrated to enhance and direct the flow of energy.
Sequestration of nanoparticles by an EPS matrix reduces the particle-specific bactericidal activity
Authors: Wang Qian , Kang Fuxing , Gao Yanzheng , Mao Xuewei , Hu Xiaojie 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMost artificial nanomaterials are known to exhibit broad-spectrum bactericidal activity; however, the defence mechanisms that bacteria use based on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to detoxify nanoparticles (NPs) are not well known. We ruled out the possibility of ion-specific bactericidal activity by showing the lack of equivalent dissolved zinc and silicon toxicity and determined the particle-specific toxicity of ZnO and SiO2 nanoparticles (ZnONPs/SiO2NPs) through dialysis isolation experiments. Surprisingly, the manipulation of the E. coli EPS (i.e., no EPS manipulation or EPS removal by sonication/centrifugation) showed that their particle-specific bactericidal activity could be antagonized by NP-EPS sequestration. The survival rates of pristine E. coli (no EPS manipulation) reached 65% (ZnONPs, 500 mg L−1) and 79% (SiO2NPs, 500 mg L−1), whereas survival rates following EPS removal by sonication/centrifugation were 11% and 63%, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with fluorescence micro-titration analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that protein-like substances (N-H and C-N in amide II) and secondary carbonyl groups (C=O) in the carboxylic acids of EPS acted as important binding sites that were involved in NP sequestration. Accordingly, the amount and composition of EPS produced by bacteria have important implications for the bactericidal efficacy and potential environmental effects of NPs.
Dynamic monitoring of cell mechanical properties using profile microindentation
Authors: Guillou L. , Babataheri A. , Puech P.-H. , Barakat A. I. , Husson J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe have developed a simple and relatively inexpensive system to visualize adherent cells in profile while measuring their mechanical properties using microindentation. The setup allows simultaneous control of cell microenvironment by introducing a micropipette for the delivery of soluble factors or other cell types. We validate this technique against atomic force microscopy measurements and, as a proof of concept, measure the viscoelastic properties of vascular endothelial cells in terms of an apparent stiffness and a dimensionless parameter that describes stress relaxation. Furthermore, we use this technique to monitor the time evolution of these mechanical properties as the cells’ actin is depolymerized using cytochalasin-D.
PCDTBT based solar cells: one year of operation under real-world conditions
Authors: Zhang Yiwei , Bovill Edward , Kingsley James , Buckley Alastair R. , Yi Hunan , Iraqi Ahmed , Wang Tao , Lidzey David G. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe present measurements of the outdoor stability of PCDTBT:PC71BM based bulk heterojunction organic solar cells for over the course of a year. We find that the devices undergo a burn-in process lasting 450 hours followed by a TS80 lifetime of up to 6200 hours. We conclude that in the most stable devices, the observed TS80 lifetime is limited by thermally-induced stress between the device layers, as well as materials degradation as a result of edge-ingress of water or moisture through the encapsulation.
Territories of heterologous inputs onto Purkinje cell dendrites are segregated by mGluR1-dependent parallel fiber synapse elimination
Authors: Ichikawa Ryoichi , Hashimoto Kouichi , Miyazaki Taisuke , Uchigashima Motokazu , Yamasaki Miwako , Aiba Atsu , Kano Masanobu , Watanabe Masahiko 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Of the two distinguished features in synaptic wiring of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), the developmental process and underlying mechanism of mono-innervation by single climbing fibers (CFs) are well understood. However, those of segregated dendritic innervation by CFs and parallel fibers (PFs) remain unknown. Here, we show that CF and PF territories initially expand with enlargement of the region of overlapping innervation, and that the segregation of the territories occurs as a result of elimination of PF synapses from the proximal dendrites. PF synapse elimination is controlled by the type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) to protein kinase Cγ signaling pathway; PF synapse elimination is arrested in mGluR1- or protein kinase Cγ-knockout PCs, and rescued by mGluR1α transfection to mGluR1-knockout PCs.
Titin strain contributes to the Frank–Starling law of the heart by structural rearrangements of both thin- and thick-filament proteins
Authors: Ait-Mou Younss , Hsu Karen , Farman Gerrie P. , Kumar Mohit , Greaser Marion L. , Irving Thomas C. , de Tombe Pieter P. 
Published: February 2016

Significance
The Frank–Starling law of the heart represents a fundamental regulatory mechanism whereby cardiac pump performance is directly modulated by the extent of diastolic ventricular filling on a beat-to-beat basis. It is now well established that sarcomere length (SL)-induced changes in cardiac contractile protein responsiveness to activating calcium ions play a major role in this phenomenon. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this SL-sensing property are not known. Here, we show by small-angle X-ray diffraction and fluorescent probe techniques that the giant protein titin likely transmits the length signal to induce structural alterations in both thin- and thick-filament contractile proteins. These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of the Frank–Starling regulatory mechanism.
Structural and biochemical analysis of Bcl-2 interaction with the hepatitis B virus protein HBx
Authors: Jiang Tianyu , Liu Minhao , Wu Jianping , Shi Yigong 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Unlike the other three hepatitis B virus-encoded proteins, both the function and structure of HBx are poorly understood. The discovery of a BH3-like motif in HBx and the demonstration of direct association between HBx and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins yielded the hypothesis that HBx may rely on its BH3-like motif to antagonize the functions of Bcl-2. In this study, we show that the interaction between the HBx BH3-like motif and Bcl-2 is drastically weaker than that between a canonical BH3 motif and Bcl-2. This finding, corroborated by structural analysis, suggests that the modulation of the activity of Bcl-2 by the BH3-like motif of HBx may be different from other BH3-only proteins.
Artemisinin activity-based probes identify multiple molecular targets within the asexual stage of the malaria parasites
Plasmodium falciparum
3D7
Authors: Ismail Hanafy M. , Barton Victoria , Phanchana Matthew , Charoensutthivarakul Sitthivut , Wong Michael H. L. , Hemingway Janet , Biagini Giancarlo A. , O’Neill Paul M. , Ward Stephen A. 
Published: February 2016

Significance
The mechanism of action of the artemisinin (ART) class of antimalarial drugs, the most important antimalarial drug class in use today, remains controversial, despite more than three decades of intensive research. We have developed an unbiased chemical proteomic approach using a suite of ART activity-based protein profiling probes to identify proteins within the malaria parasite that are alkylated by ART, including proteins involved in glycolysis, hemoglobin metabolism, and redox defense. The data point to a pleiotropic mechanism of drug action for this class and offer a strategy for investigating resistance mechanisms to ART-based drugs as well as mechanisms of action of other endoperoxide-based drugs.
High Elmo1 expression aggravates and low Elmo1 expression prevents diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Hathaway Catherine K. , Chang Albert S. , Grant Ruriko , Kim Hyung-Suk , Madden Victoria J. , Bagnell C. Robert , Jennette J. Charles , Smithies Oliver , Kakoki Masao 
Published: February 2016

Significance
About one-third of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus develop nephropathy, which often progresses to end-stage renal diseases. The present study demonstrates that below-normal Elmo1 expression in mice ameliorates the albuminuria and glomerular histological changes resulting from long-standing type 1 diabetes, whereas above-normal Elmo1 expression makes both worse. Increasing Elmo1 expression leads to aggravation of oxidative stress markers and enhances the expression of fibrogenic genes. Suppressing Elmo1 action in human patients could be a promising option for treating/preventing the progressive deterioration of renal function in diabetes.
Chemical alterations and regulations of biomolecules in lifestyle-related diseases
Authors: Miyoshi Noriyuki 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe know experientially that not only nutrient factors but also non-nutritive functional food factors are playing important roles in maintenance of homeostasis, health promotion, and disease prevention. Although some of these effective behaviors are supported by accumulating scientific evidences, it is in general difficult to determine properly in human. Therefore, the discovering of novel biomarker and developments of the analytical method are one of the prudent strategies to understand disease etiology and evaluate efficacies of functional food factors via monitoring the pathophysiological alteration in live body, tissue, and cells. This review describes recent our findings on (1) formation mechanism, bioactivities, quantitative determination of cholesterol ozonolysis product, secosterol as possible biomarker for lifestyle-related disease, and (2) chemical biology approach for the investigating molecular mechanisms of most promising cancer chemopreventive food factors, isothiocyanate-inducing bioactivities.
Alpha heating and isotopic mass effects in JET plasmas with sawteeth
Authors: Budny R.V. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
The alpha heating experiment in the Joint European Torus (JET) 1997 DTE1 campaign is re-examined. Several effects correlated with tritium content and thermal hydrogenic isotopic mass  <  A  >  weaken the conclusion that alpha heating was clearly observed. These effects delayed the occurrence of significant sawtooth crashes allowing the electron and ion temperatures T
e and T
i to achieve higher values. Under otherwise equal circumstances T
e and T
i were typically higher for discharges with higher  <  A  >, and significant scaling of T
i, T
e, and total stored energy with  <  A  >  were observed. The higher T
i led to increased ion–electron heating rates with magnitudes comparable to those computed for alpha electron heating. Rates of other heating/loss processes also had comparable magnitudes. Simulations of T
e assuming the observed scaling of T
i are qualitatively consistent with the measured profiles, without invoking alpha heating
Daily variability of Ceres’ albedo detected by means of radial velocities changes of the reflected sunlight
Authors: Molaro P. , Lanza A. F. , Monaco L. , Tosi F. , Lo Curto G. , Fulle M. , Pasquini L. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Bright features have been recently discovered by Dawn on Ceres, which extend previous photometric and Space Telescope observations. These features should produce distortions of the line profiles of the reflected solar spectrum and therefore an apparent radial velocity variation modulated by the rotation of the dwarf planet. Here we report on two sequences of observations of Ceres performed in the nights of 2015 July 31, August 26 and 27 by means of the high-precision High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) spectrograph at the 3.6 m La Silla European Southern Observatory (ESO) telescope. The observations revealed a quite complex behaviour which likely combines a radial velocity modulation due to the rotation with an amplitude of ≈±6 m s−1 and an unexpected diurnal effect. The latter changes imply changes in the albedo of Occator's bright features due to the blaze produced by the exposure to solar radiation. The short-term variability of Ceres’ albedo is on time-scales ranging from hours to months and can both be confirmed and followed by means of dedicated radial velocity observations.