bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Situ Characterization of the Initial Effect of Water on Molecular Interactions at the Interface of Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Systems
Authors: Pletincx Sven , Trotochaud Lena , Fockaert Laura-Lynn , Mol Johannes M. C. , Head Ashley R. , Karslıoğlu Osman , Bluhm Hendrik , Terryn Herman , Hauffman Tom 
Published: March 2017

AbstractProbing initial interactions at the interface of hybrid systems under humid conditions has the potential to reveal the local chemical environment at solid/solid interfaces under real-world, technologically relevant conditions. Here, we show that ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) with a conventional X-ray source can be used to study the effects of water exposure on the interaction of a nanometer-thin polyacrylic acid (PAA) layer with a native aluminum oxide surface. The formation of a carboxylate ionic bond at the interface is characterized both with APXPS and in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the Kretschmann geometry (ATR-FTIR Kretschmann). When water is dosed in the APXPS chamber up to 5 Torr (~28% relative humidity), an increase in the amount of ionic bonds at the interface is observed. To confirm our APXPS interpretation, complementary ATR-FTIR Kretschmann experiments on a similar model system, which is exposed to an aqueous electrolyte, are conducted. These spectra demonstrate that water leads to an increased wet adhesion through increased ionic bond formation.
Sequential displacement of Type VI Secretion System effector genes leads to evolution of diverse immunity gene arrays in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Kirchberger Paul C. , Unterweger Daniel , Provenzano Daniele , Pukatzki Stefan , Boucher Yan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractType VI secretion systems (T6SS) enable bacteria to engage neighboring cells in contact-dependent competition. In Vibrio cholerae, three chromosomal clusters each encode a pair of effector and immunity genes downstream of those encoding the T6SS structural machinery for effector delivery. Different combinations of effector-immunity proteins lead to competition between strains of V. cholerae, which are thought to be protected only from the toxicity of their own effectors. Screening of all publically available V. cholerae genomes showed that numerous strains possess long arrays of orphan immunity genes encoded in the 3′ region of their T6SS clusters. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that these genes are highly similar to those found in the effector-immunity pairs of other strains, indicating acquisition by horizontal gene transfer. Extensive genomic comparisons also suggest that successive addition of effector-immunity gene pairs replaces ancestral effectors, yet retains the cognate immunity genes. The retention of old immunity genes perhaps provides protection against nearby kin bacteria in which the old effector was not replaced. This mechanism, combined with frequent homologous recombination, is likely responsible for the high diversity of T6SS effector-immunity gene profiles observed for V. cholerae and closely related species.
The influence of environmental factors on communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with Chenopodium ambrosioides revealed by MiSeq sequencing investigation
Authors: Xu Xihui , Chen Chen , Zhang Zhou , Sun Zehua , Chen Yahua , Jiang Jiandong , Shen Zhenguo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) affect multiple ecosystem functions and processes, the assemblages of which vary across ecosystems. However, the influences of environmental factors on AMF communities which may shape these communities are still largely unknown. In this study, AMF communities from roots and rhizosphere soils ofChenopodium ambrosioidesin different natural soils were investigated. The root habitat showed significantly smaller numbers of OTUs and lower community richness compared to the rhizosphere soil habitat. Most OTUs in the root habitat were shared by the soil habitat from the same sampling site, indicating that rhizosphere soils represent a pool of AMF species, a fraction of which is recruited by plants. Most of the AMF in root habitats were Glomeraceae, suggesting recruitment preferences of AMF by plants. The relative contributions of environmental factors to explain variations in AMF community composition and phylogenetic structure were assessed. The results revealed soil properties predominantly explained the variation, followed by geographic and climate parameters which explained a small fraction independently, while the host plant showed few explanations. Overall, our results indicated that soil and root habitats as well as soil characters, especially pH, nitrogen and micronutrients (Zn and Cu) affected AMF communities significantly.
Genetic and functional diversity of ubiquitous DNA viruses in selected Chinese agricultural soils
Authors: Han Li-Li , Yu Dan-Ting , Zhang Li-Mei , Shen Ju-Pei , He Ji-Zheng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractViral community structures in complex agricultural soils are largely unknown. Electron microscopy and viromic analyses were conducted on six typical Chinese agricultural soil samples. Tailed bacteriophages, spherical and filamentous viral particles were identified by the morphological analysis. Based on the metagenomic analysis, single-stranded DNA viruses represented the largest viral component in most of the soil habitats, while the double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the Caudovirales order were predominanted in Jiangxi-maize soils. The majority of functional genes belonged to the subsystem “phages, prophages, transposable elements, and plasmids”. Non-metric multidimensional analysis of viral community showed that the environment medium type was the most important driving factor for the viral community structure. For the major viral groups detected in all samples (Microviridae and Caudovirales), the two groups gathered viruses from different sites and similar genetic composition, indicating that viral diversity was high on a local point but relatively limited on a global scale. This is a novel report of viral diversity in Chinese agricultural soils, and the abundance, taxonomic, and functional diversity of viruses that were observed in different types of soils will aid future soil virome studies and enhance our understanding of the ecological functions of soil viruses.
Thin-film metallic glass: an effective diffusion barrier for Se-doped AgSbTe2 thermoelectric modules
Authors: Yu Chia-Chi , Wu Hsin-jay , Deng Ping-Yuan , Agne Matthias T. , Snyder G. Jeffrey , Chu Jinn P. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe thermal stability of joints in thermoelectric (TE) modules, which are degraded during interdiffusion between the TE material and the contacting metal, needs to be addressed in order to utilize TE technology for competitive, sustainable energy applications. Herein, we deposit a 200 nm-thick Zr-based thin-film metallic glass (TFMG), which acts as an effective diffusion barrier layer with low electrical contact resistivity, on a high-zT Se-doped AgSbTe2 substrate. The reaction couples structured with TFMG/TE are annealed at 673 K for 8–360 hours and analyzed by electron microscopy. No observable IMCs (intermetallic compounds) are formed at the TFMG/TE interface, suggesting the effective inhibition of atomic diffusion that may be attributed to the grain-boundary-free structure of TFMG. The minor amount of Se acts as a tracer species, and a homogeneous Se-rich region is found nearing the TFMG/TE interface, which guarantees satisfactory bonding at the joint. The diffusion of Se, which has the smallest atomic volume of all the elements from the TE substrate, is found to follow Fick’s second law. The calculated diffusivity (D) of Se in TFMG falls in the range of D~10−20–10−23(m2/s), which is 106~107 and 1012~1013 times smaller than those of Ni [10−14–10−17(m2/s)] and Cu [10−8–10−11(m2/s)] in Bi2Te3, respectively.
Quasispecies of Hepatitis C Virus Participate in Cell-Specific Infectivity
Authors: Fukuhara Takasuke , Yamamoto Satomi , Ono Chikako , Nakamura Shota , Motooka Daisuke , Mori Hiroyuki , Kurihara Takeshi , Sato Asuka , Tamura Tomokazu , Motomura Takashi , Okamoto Toru , Imamura Michio , Ikegami Toru , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Soejima Yuji , Maehara Yoshihiko , Chayama Kazuaki , Matsuura Yoshiharu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIt is well documented that a variety of viral quasispecies are found in the patients with chronic infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the significance of quasispecies in the specific infectivity to individual cell types remains unknown. In the present study, we analyzed the role of quasispecies of the genotype 2a clone, JFH1 (HCVcc), in specific infectivity to the hepatic cell lines, Huh7.5.1 and Hep3B. HCV RNA was electroporated into Huh7.5.1 cells and Hep3B/miR-122 cells expressing miR-122 at a high level. Then, we adapted the viruses to Huh7 and Hep3B/miR-122 cells by serial passages and termed the resulting viruses HCVcc/Huh7 and HCVcc/Hep3B, respectively. Interestingly, a higher viral load was obtained in the homologous combination of HCVcc/Huh7 in Huh7.5.1 cells or HCVcc/Hep3B in Hep3B/miR-122 cells compared with the heterologous combination. By using a reverse genetics system and deep sequence analysis, we identified several adaptive mutations involved in the high affinity for each cell line, suggesting that quasispecies of HCV participate in cell-specific infectivity.
PPARβ/δ, a Novel Regulator for Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotypic Modulation and Vascular Remodeling after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats
Authors: Zhang Hongrong , Jiang Li , Guo Zongduo , Zhong Jianjun , Wu Jingchuan , He Junchi , Liu Han , He Zhaohui , Wu Haitao , Cheng Chongjie , Sun Xiaochuan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCerebral vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switch is involved in the pathophysiology of vascular injury after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), whereas the molecular mechanism underlying it remains largely speculative. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) has been implicated to modulate the vascular cells proliferation and vascular homeostasis. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of PPARβ/δ in VSMC phenotypic switch following SAH. Activation of PPARβ/δ by GW0742 and adenoviruses PPARβ/δ (Ad-PPARβ/δ) significantly inhibited hemoglobin-induced VSMC phenotypic switch. However, the effects of PPARβ/δ on VSMC phenotypic switch were partly obstacled in the presence of LY294002, a potent inhibitor of Phosphatidyl-Inositol-3 Kinase-AKT (PI3K/AKT). Furthermore, following study demonstrated that PPARβ/δ-induced PI3K/AKT activation can also contribute to Serum Response Factor (SRF) nucleus localization and Myocardin expression, which was highly associated with VSMC phenotypic switch. Finally, we found that Ad-PPARβ/δ positively modulated vascular remodeling in SAH rats, i.e. the diameter of basilar artery and the thickness of vessel wall. In addition, overexpression of PPARβ/δ by adenoviruses significantly improved neurological outcome. Taken together, this study identified PPARβ/δ as a useful regulator for VSMC phenotypic switch and vascular remodeling following SAH, providing novel insights into the therapeutic strategies of delayed cerebral ischemia.
Cervical Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Sedated Toddlers
Authors: Ibraheem Ola , Hassaan Mohammad 
Published: March 2017

Introduction Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) are difficult to test in toddlers who cannot follow instructions or stay calm.
Objective Due to the growing need for vestibular testing in very young children as a part of a delayed walking assessment battery, this study aimed to provide a solution to this problem by recording the cVEMPs in toddlers during sedation.
Method The cVEMPs measures were assessed in 30 toddlers aged 12 to 36 months with normal motor milestones. They were sedated with chloral hydrate. Then, the head was retracted ∼ 30° backward with a pillow under the shoulders, and turned 45° contralateral to the side of stimulation to put the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle in a state of tension.
Results The P13 and N23 waves of the cVEMPs were recordable in all sedated toddlers. The cVEMPs measures resulted in the following: P13 latency of 17.5 ± 1.41 milliseconds, N23 latency of 25.58 ± 2.02 milliseconds, and peak-to-peak amplitude of 15.39 ± 3.45 µV. One-sample t-test revealed statistically significant longer latencies and smaller amplitude of the toddlers' cVEMPs relative to the normative data for adults.
Conclusions The difficulty of cVEMPs testing in toddlers can be overcome by sedating them and attaining a position that contracts the SCM muscle. However, the toddlers' recordings revealed delayed latencies and smaller amplitudes than those of adults.
Dual-utility NLS drives RNF169-dependent DNA damage responses
Authors: An Liwei , Jiang Yiyang , Ng Howin H. W. , Man Ellen P. S. , Chen Jie , Khoo Ui-Soon , Gong Qingguo , Huen Michael S. Y. 
Published: March 2017

Significance
The work describes the first nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide that not only promotes nuclear shuttling of a DNA damage response (DDR) protein but mediates a direct interaction with a deubiquitylase for enhanced stability. Its identification suggests that NLS peptides, aside from their canonical function in nuclear import, may have acquired additional properties. The study also reports on an important role of the ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7)–ring finger protein 169 (RNF169) axis in driving DNA repair and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition resistance. Several lines of evidence indicate that USP7 deubiquitylates and enforces RNF169-dependent DDRs. Together, these data highlight a critically important role of the USP7–RNF169 axis in genome stability maintenance.
Ion and inhibitor binding of the double-ring ion selectivity filter of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter
Authors: Cao Chan , Wang Shuqing , Cui Tanxing , Su Xun-Cheng , Chou James J. 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Mitochondrial calcium homeostasis is vital to cellular activities such as aerobic ATP production and cell death. Calcium uptake by mitochondria is achieved using an intricately regulated calcium channel, known as mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). MCU demonstrates high calcium selectivity and conductance but little is known about its ion selectivity filter. We used paramagnetic NMR to show that the double carboxylate rings formed by the “DXXE” signature sequence of MCU is the ion selectivity filter and that the two ion binding sites can afford high ion affinity via positive cooperativity. We also showed that the channel inhibitor Ru360 directly blocks at the selectivity filter. Our approach demonstrates the promising application of NMR in investigating ion channels interacting with ions and blockers.
Spatiotemporal Reproduction and Larval Habitat Associations of Nonnative Silver Carp and Bighead Carp
Authors: Hintz William D. , Glover David C. , Szynkowski Brittany C. , Garvey James E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe establishment of nonnative Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp H. nobilis (collectively referred to as “bigheaded carp”) in the central United States may have negative ecological consequences and economic impacts. Our objectives were to quantify patterns and habitat associations of adult bigheaded carp reproduction, larval production, and habitat use; such information is important for control strategies and identifying recruitment sources. During May–August 2011, we sampled adults and larvae at 10 sites distributed adjacent to and within the main channel of the Mississippi River at Pool 26 (study area = 28 river kilometers). Female reproductive status, adult location, and larval density were compared to environmental conditions, including temperature, site velocity, and turbidity. Large females spawned earlier than their smaller counterparts. No clear spawning aggregations of adults were observed, suggesting plasticity in staging habitat. Larvae were distributed across all sites during flooding. Larval density was positively related to velocity and turbidity, suggesting that nondepositional areas may facilitate recruitment. Bigheaded carp larvae comprised 10% of the ichthyofauna. Although pooled reaches are a source of recruitment for bigheaded carp in the Mississippi River system, the low densities of bigheaded carp larvae relative to native larvae cannot explain the dominance of adults in this system. Our findings provide insights into the plastic nature of bigheaded carp reproduction and habitats associated with larval development. Control efforts that target large adult females should be conducted earlier during the spring spawn. To maintain fishing pressure, such control efforts would likely need to continue through the summer, when smaller individuals spawn, discharge decreases, and CPUE increases. However, we found no specific mass staging area or habitat type where adult females could be targeted.Received July 19, 2016; accepted December 14, 2016 Published online March 21, 2017
Individualised dietary strategies for Olympic combat sports: Acute weight loss, recovery and competition nutrition
Authors: Reale Reid , Slater Gary , Burke Louise M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOlympic combat sports separate athletes into weight divisions, in an attempt to reduce size, strength, range and/or leverage disparities between competitors. Official weigh‐ins are conducted anywhere from 3 and up to 24 h prior to competition ensuring athletes meet weight requirements (i.e. have ‘made weight’). Fighters commonly aim to compete in weight divisions lower than their day‐to‐day weight, achieved via chronic and acute manipulations of body mass (BM). Although these manipulations may impair health and absolute performance, their strategic use can improve competitive success. Key considerations are the acute manipulations around weigh‐in, which differ in importance, magnitude and methods depending on the requirements of the individual combat sport and the weigh‐in regulations. In particular, the time available for recovery following weigh‐in/before competition will determine what degree of acute BM loss can be implemented and reversed. Increased exercise and restricted food and fluid intake are undertaken to decrease body water and gut contents reducing BM. When taken to the extreme, severe weight‐making practices can be hazardous, and efforts have been made to reduce their prevalence. Indeed some have called for the abolition of these practices altogether. In lieu of adequate strategies to achieve this, and the pragmatic recognition of the likely continuation of these practices as long as regulations allow, this review summarises guidelines for athletes and coaches for manipulating BM and optimising post weigh‐in recovery, to achieve better health and performance outcomes across the different Olympic combat sports.
Acute kinematic and kinetic adaptations to wearable resistance during vertical jumping
Authors: Macadam Paul , Simperingham Kim D. , Cronin John B. , Couture Grace , Evison Chloe 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOne variation of vertical jump (VJ) training is resisted or weighted jump training, where wearable resistance (WR) enables jumping to be overloaded in a movement specific manner. A two‐way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc contrasts was used to determine the acute changes in VJ performance with differing load magnitudes and load placements. Kinematic and kinetic data were quantified using a force plate and contact mat. Twenty sport active subjects (age: 27.8 ± 3.8 years; body mass (BM): 70.2 ± 12.2 kg; height: 1.74 ± 0.78 m) volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects performed the counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and pogo jump (PJ) wearing no resistance, 3% or 6% BM affixed to the upper or lower body. The main finding in terms of the landing phase was that the effect of WR was non‐significant (P > .05) on peak ground reaction force. With regard to the propulsive phase the main findings were that for both the CMJ and DJ, WR resulted in a significant (P < .05) decrease in jump height (CMJ: −12% to −17%, DJ: −10% to −14%); relative peak power (CMJ: −8% to −17%, DJ: −7% to −10%); and peak velocity (CMJ: −4% to −7%, DJ: −3% to −8%); while PJ reactive strength index was significantly reduced (−15% to −21%) with all WR conditions. Consideration should be given to the inclusion of WR in sports where VJ's are important components as it may provide a novel movement specific training stimulus.Highlights
WR of 3 or 6 % BM provided a means to overload the subjects in this study resulting in decreased propulsive power and velocity that lead to a reduced jump height and landing force.
Specific strength exercises that closely mimic sporting performance are more likely to optimise transference, therefore WR with light loads of 3–6% body mass (BM)appear a suitable tool for movement specific overload training and maximising transference to sporting performance.
Practitioners can safely load their athletes with upper or lower body WR of 3–6% BM without fear of overloading the athletesover and above the landing forces they are typically accustomed too.
As a training stimulus it would seem the WR loading provides adequate overload and athletes should focus on velocity of movement to improve power output and jump height i.e. take‐off velocity.
The effects of an increased calorie breakfast consumed prior to simulated match‐play in Academy soccer players
Authors: Briggs Marc A. , Harper Liam D. , McNamee Ged , Cockburn Emma , Rumbold Penny L.S. , Stevenson Emma J. , Russell Mark 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDietary analysis of Academy soccer players highlights that total energy and carbohydrate intakes are less than optimal, especially, on match‐days. As UK Academy matches predominantly kick‐off at ∼11:00 h, breakfast is likely the last pre‐exercise meal and thus may provide an intervention opportunity on match‐day. Accordingly, the physiological and performance effects of an increased calorie breakfast consumed ∼135‐min before soccer‐specific exercise was investigated. English Premier League Academy soccer players (n = 7) repeated a 90‐min soccer match simulation on two occasions after consumption of habitual (Bhab; ∼1100 kJ) or increased (Binc; ∼2100 kJ) energy breakfasts standardised for macronutrient contributions (∼60% carbohydrates, ∼15% proteins and ∼25% fats). Countermovement jump height, sprint velocities (15‐m and 30‐m), 30‐m repeated sprint maintenance, gut fullness, abdominal discomfort and soccer dribbling performances were measured. Blood samples were taken at rest, pre‐exercise, half‐time and every 15‐min during exercise. Although dribbling precision (P = .522; 29.9 ± 5.5 cm) and success (P = .505; 94 ± 8%) were unchanged throughout all time‐points, mean dribbling speed was faster (4.3 ± 5.7%) in Binc relative to Bhab (P = .023; 2.84 vs 2.75 m s−1). Greater feelings of gut fullness (67 ± 17%, P = .001) were observed in Binc without changes in abdominal discomfort (P = .595). All other physical performance measures and blood lactate and glucose concentrations were comparable between trials (all P > .05). Findings demonstrate that Academy soccer players were able to increase pre‐match energy intake without experiencing abdominal discomfort; thus, likely contributing to the amelioration of energy deficits on match‐days. Furthermore, whilst Binc produced limited benefits to physical performance, increased dribbling speed was identified, which may be of benefit to match‐play.