bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-state discrimination below the quantum noise limit at the single-photon level
Authors: Ferdinand A. R. , DiMario M. T. , Becerra F. E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMeasurements approaching the ultimate quantum limits of sensitivity are central in quantum information processing, quantum metrology, and communication. Quantum measurements to discriminate multiple states at the single-photon level are essential for optimizing information transfer in low-power optical communications and quantum communications, and can enhance the capabilities of many quantum information protocols. Here, we theoretically investigate and experimentally demonstrate the discrimination of multiple coherent states of light with sensitivities surpassing the quantum noise limit (QNL) at the single-photon level under realistic conditions of loss and noise based on strategies implementing globally-optimized adaptive measurements with single photon counting and displacement operations. These discrimination strategies can provide realistic advantages to enhance information transfer at low powers, and are compatible with photon number resolving detection, which provides robustness at high powers, thus allowing for surpassing the QNL at arbitrary input power levels under realistic conditions.
Molecular mechanism of synergy between the antimicrobial peptides PGLa and magainin 2
Authors: Zerweck Jonathan , Strandberg Erik , Kukharenko Olga , Reichert Johannes , Bürck Jochen , Wadhwani Parvesh , Ulrich Anne S. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPGLa and magainin 2 (MAG2) are amphiphilic α-helical membranolytic peptides from frog skin with known synergistic antimicrobial activity. By systematically mutating residues in the two peptides it was possible to identify the ones crucial for the synergy, as monitored by biological assays, fluorescence vesicle leakage, and solid-state 15N-NMR. Electrostatic interactions between anionic groups in MAG2 and cationic residues in PGLa enhance synergy but are not necessary for the synergistic effect. Instead, two Gly residues (7 and 11) in a so-called GxxxG motif in PGLa are necessary for synergy. Replacing either of them with Ala or another hydrophobic residue completely abolishes synergy according to all three methods used. The designer-made peptide MSI-103, which has a similar sequence as PGLa, shows no synergy with MAG2, but by introducing two Gly mutations it was possible to make it synergistic. A molecular model is proposed for the functionally active PGLa-MAG2 complex, consisting of a membrane-spanning antiparallel PGLa dimer that is stabilized by intimate Gly-Gly contacts, and where each PGLa monomer is in contact with one MAG2 molecule at its C-terminus.
Simultaneous fusion, imaging and encryption of multiple objects using a single-pixel detector
Authors: Dongfeng Shi , Jian Huang , Yingjian Wang , Kee Yuan , Chenbo Xie , Dong Liu , Wenyue Zhu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA novel technique for the simultaneous fusion, imaging and encryption of multiple objects using a single-pixel detector is proposed. Here, encoded multiplexing patterns are employed to illuminate multiple objects simultaneously. The mixed light reflected from the objects is detected by a single-pixel detector. An iterative reconstruction method is used to restore the fused image by summing the multiplexed patterns and detected intensities. Next, clear images of the objects are recovered by decoding the fused image. We experimentally obtain fused and multiple clear images by utilizing a single-pixel detector to collect the direct and indirect reflected light. Technically, by utilizing the patterns with per-pixel exposure control, multiple objects’ information is multiplexed into the detected intensities and then demultiplexed computationally under the single-pixel imaging and compressed sensing schemes. An encryption experiment is performed by setting the multiplexed patterns’ encoding as keys.
Bony labyrinth morphology clarifies the origin and evolution of deer
Authors: Mennecart Bastien , DeMiguel Daniel , Bibi Faysal , Rössner Gertrud E. , Métais Grégoire , Neenan James M. , Wang Shiqi , Schulz Georg , Müller Bert , Costeur Loïc 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDeer are an iconic group of large mammals that originated in the Early Miocene of Eurasia (ca. 19 Ma). While there is some consensus on key relationships among their members, on the basis of molecular- or morphology-based analyses, or combined approaches, many questions remain, and the bony labyrinth has shown considerable potential for the phylogenetics of this and other groups. Here we examine its shape in 29 species of living and fossil deer using 3D geometric morphometrics and cladistics. We clarify several issues of the origin and evolution of cervids. Our results give new age estimates at different nodes of the tree and provide for the first time a clear distinction of stem and crown Cervidae. We unambiguously attribute the fossil Euprox furcatus (13.8 Ma) to crown Cervidae, pushing back the origin of crown deer to (at least) 4 Ma. Furthermore, we show that Capreolinae are more variable in bony labyrinth shape than Cervinae and confirm for the first time the monophyly of the Old World Capreolinae (including the Chinese water deer Hydropotes) based on morphological characters only. Finally, we provide evidence to support the sister group relationship of Megaloceros giganteus with the fallow deer Dama.
Population admixture in Chinese and European Sus scrofa
Authors: Chen Minhui , Su Guosheng , Fu Jinluan , Zhang Qin , Wang Aiguo , Sandø Lund Mogens , Guldbrandtsen Bernt 
Published: October 2017

AbstractRelationships between different populations were investigated using Porcine 60 K data from 1,135 domestic pigs and wild boars across Europe and China. The results indicate that most European breeds have been introgressed with Chinese ancestry, but the extent of introgression varies considerably among breeds. Moreover, the main source of this introgression is pigs from South China, closely related to Bamaxiang and Dongshan pigs. Contributions from East and Central Chinese pig breeds are also detectable. Phylogeny reconstruction places European wild boars among European domestic breeds. Coalescent simulations indicate that this may be the result of gene flow from European wild boars to European domestic pigs. These results will facilitate further genomic studies such as genome-wide association studies, selection signature detection and genomic prediction.
High-speed spinning disks on flexible threads
Authors: Zhao Zi-Long , Zhou Shiwei , Xu Shanqing , Feng Xi-Qiao , Xie Yi Min 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA common spinning toy, called “buzzer”, consists of a perforated disk and flexible threads. Despite of its simple construction, a buzzer can effectively transfer translational motions into high-speed rotations. In the present work, we find that the disk can be spun by hand at an extremely high rotational speed, e.g., 200,000 rpm, which is much faster than the previously reported speed of any manually operated device. We explore, both experimentally and theoretically, the detailed mechanics and potential applications of such a thread–disk system. The theoretical prediction, validated by experimental measurements, can help design and optimize the system for, e.g., easier operation and faster rotation. Furthermore, we investigate the synchronized motion of multiple disks spinning on a string. Distinctly different twist waves can be realized by the multi-disk system, which could be exploited in the control of mechanical waves. Finally, we develop two types of manually-powered electric generators based on the thread–disk system. The high-speed rotation of the rotors enables a pulsed high current, which holds great promise for potential applications in, for instance, generating electricity and harvesting energy from ocean waves and other rhythmic translational motions.
Dynamic annealing in Ge studied by pulsed ion beams
Authors: Wallace J. B. , Bayu Aji L. B. , Shao L. , Kucheyev S. O. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe formation of radiation damage in Ge above room temperature is dominated by complex dynamic annealing processes, involving migration and interaction of ballistically-generated point defects. Here, we study the dynamics of radiation defects in Ge in the temperature range of 100–160 °C under pulsed beam irradiation with 500 keV Ar ions when the total ion fluence is split into a train of equal square pulses. By varying the passive portion of the beam duty cycle, we measure a characteristic time constant of dynamic annealing, which rapidly decreases from ~8 to 0.3 ms with increasing temperature. By varying the active portion of the beam duty cycle, we measure an effective diffusion length of ~38 nm at 110 °C. Results reveal a major change in the dominant dynamic annealing process at a critical transition temperature of ~130 °C. The two dominant dynamic annealing processes have an order of magnitude different activation energies of 0.13 and 1.3 eV.
Proteolytic signatures define unique thrombin-derived peptides present in human wound fluid in vivo
Authors: Saravanan Rathi , Adav Sunil S. , Choong Yeu Khai , van der Plas Mariena J. A. , Petrlova Jitka , Kjellström Sven , Sze Siu Kwan , Schmidtchen Artur 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe disease burden of failing skin repair and non-healing ulcers is extensive. There is an unmet need for new diagnostic approaches to better predict healing activity and wound infection. Uncontrolled and excessive protease activity, of endogenous or bacterial origin, has been described as a major contributor to wound healing impairments. Proteolytic peptide patterns could therefore correlate and “report” healing activity and infection. This work describes a proof of principle delineating a strategy by which peptides from a selected protein, human thrombin, are detected and attributed to proteolytic actions. With a particular focus on thrombin-derived C-terminal peptides (TCP), we show that distinct peptide patterns are generatedin vitroby the human S1 peptidases human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G, and the bacterial M4 peptidasesPseudomonas aeruginosaelastase andStaphylococcus aureusaureolysin, respectively. Corresponding peptide sequences were identified in wound fluids from acute and non-healing ulcers, and notably, one peptide, FYT21 (FYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE), was only present in wound fluid from non-healing ulcers colonized byP.aeruginosaandS.aureus. Our result is a proof of principle pointing at the possibility of defining peptide biomarkers reporting distinct proteolytic activities, of potential implication for improved diagnosis of wound healing and infection.
Astrocyte calcium waves propagate proximally by gap junction and distally by extracellular diffusion of ATP released from volume-regulated anion channels
Authors: Fujii Yuki , Maekawa Shohei , Morita Mitsuhiro 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWave-like propagation of [Ca2+]i increases is a remarkable intercellular communication characteristic in astrocyte networks, intercalating neural circuits and vasculature. Mechanically-induced [Ca2+]i increases and their subsequent propagation to neighboring astrocytes in culture is a classical model of astrocyte calcium wave and is known to be mediated by gap junction and extracellular ATP, but the role of each pathway remains unclear. Pharmacologic analysis of time-dependent distribution of [Ca2+]i revealed three distinct [Ca2+]i increases, the largest being in stimulated cells independent of extracellular Ca2+ and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release. In addition, persistent [Ca2+]i increases were found to propagate rapidly via gap junctions in the proximal region, and transient [Ca2+]i increases were found to propagate slowly via extracellular ATP in the distal region. Simultaneous imaging of astrocyte [Ca2+]i and extracellular ATP, the latter of which was measured by an ATP sniffing cell, revealed that ATP was released within the proximal region by volume-regulated anion channel in a [Ca2+]i independent manner. This detailed analysis of a classical model is the first to address the different contributions of two major pathways of calcium waves, gap junctions and extracellular ATP.
Effect of iodinated contrast media on renal perfusion: A randomized comparison study in pigs using quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)
Authors: Lamby Philipp , Jung Friedrich , Graf Stefanie , Schellenberg Lotte , Falter Johannes , Platz-da-Silva Natascha , Schreml Stephan , Prantl Lukas , Franke Ralf P. , Jung Ernst M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe administration of iodinated contrast media (CM) can cause microcirculatory disorder leading to acute renal dysfunction. In a prospective, randomized investigation two CM (Iodixanol vs Iopromide) were compared in 16 pigs. Each animal received 10 intra-aortal injections (5 ml Iodixanol or 4.32 ml Iopromide). Microcirculation was assessed using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) directly on the kidney surface using time-to-peak (TTP) and blood-volume-analysis. Macroscopic observations were documented. Post mortem residual CM distribution in the kidneys was detected using X-ray. TTP was significantly prolonged over the descending vasa recta of the Iopromide group. This coincided with a visible marble-like pattern on the kidney surface occurring in 30 out of 80 Iopromide-injections but in 4 out of 80 Iodixanol-injections (p = 0.007). The blood volume over the entire kidney did not change after Iodixanol-application, but decreased by about 6.1% after Iopromide-application. The regional blood volume in the renal cortex showed a tendency to decrease by about 13.5% (p = 0.094) after Iodixanol-application, and clearly decreased by about 31.7% (p = 0.022) after Iopromide-application. The study revealed a consistent influence of repeated injections of two different CM on the kidney perfusion using three different imaging methods (CEUS analysis, macroscopic observation and X-ray analysis).
UHPLC-MS/MS determination of varietal thiol precursors in Sauvignon Blanc grapes
Authors: Vanzo Andreja , Janeš Lucija , Požgan Franc , Velikonja Bolta Špela , Sivilotti Paolo , Lisjak Klemen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractVarietal thiol precursors in grapes are subject to metabolic changes during post-harvest treatments. Metabolic activity should therefore be limited after sampling to understand their biosynthesis in the berry and genetic regulation. In this study, berries were frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately after harvesting, transported in dry ice, stored briefly at −80 °C, cryo-milled and extracted without being thawed in cold methanol in a ratio of 1:4 (w/v). A UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of the thiol precursors 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol (G3MH), 3-S-cysteinylhexan-1-ol (Cys3MH), 4-S-glutathionyl-4-methylpentan-2-one (G4MMP) and 4-S-cysteinyl-4-methylpentan-2-one (Cys4MMP), glutathione, oxidized glutathione and L-methionine in grapes was developed. Reference material was provided through synthesis of precursors and their deuterium labelled analogues. The average thiol precursor content in grapes in 2013–15 was in the range 8–16 μg kg−1 for G3MH, 1–6 μg kg−1 for Cys3MH, 1–4 μg kg−1 for Cys4MMP and 0.3 μg kg−1 for G4MMP. In 2013 and 2014, the highest precursor content in mature Sauvignon Blanc grapes from vineyards located in Italy regarded G3MH, followed by Cys3MH, Cys4MMP and G4MMP. In 2015, G3MH was again the most abundant precursor, but followed by Cys4MMP, Cys3MH and G4MMP.
Healing of Preterm Ruptured Fetal Membranes
Authors: Mogami Haruta , Hari Kishore Annavarapu , Akgul Yucel , Word R. Ann 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPreterm premature rupture of membrane (pPROM) is associated with 30–40% of preterm births. Infection is considered a leading cause of pPROM due to increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in amniotic fluid. Only 30%, however, are positive for microbial organisms by amniotic fluid culture. Interestingly, in some pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), membranes heal spontaneously and pregnancy continues until term. Here, we investigated mechanisms of amnion healing. Using a preclinical mouse model, we found that small ruptures of the fetal membrane closed within 72 h whereas healing of large ruptures was only 40%. Small rupture induced transient upregulation of cytokines whereas large ruptures elicited sustained upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the fetal membranes. Fetal macrophages from amniotic fluid were recruited to the wounded amnion where macrophage adhesion molecules were highly expressed. Recruited macrophages released limited and well-localized amounts of IL-1β and TNF which facilitated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and epithelial cell migration. Arg1 + macrophages dominated within 24 h. Migration and healing of the amnion mesenchymal compartment, however, remained compromised. These findings provide novel insights regarding unique healing mechanisms of amnion.
Lipopolysaccharide enters the rat brain by a lipoprotein-mediated transport mechanism in physiological conditions
Authors: Vargas-Caraveo Alejandra , Sayd Aline , Maus Sandra R. , Caso Javier R. , Madrigal José L. M. , García-Bueno Borja , Leza Juan C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPhysiologically, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is present in the bloodstream and can be bound to several proteins for its transport (i.e.) LPS binding protein (LBP) and plasma lipoproteins). LPS receptors CD14 and TLR-4 are constitutively expressed in the Central Nervous System (CNS). To our knowledge, LPS infiltration in CNS has not been clearly demonstrated. A naturalistic experiment with healthy rats was performed to investigate whether LPS is present with its receptors in brain. Immunofluorescences showed that lipid A and core LPS were present in circumventricular organs, choroid plexus, meningeal cells, astrocytes, tanycytes and endothelial cells. Co-localization of LPS regions with CD14/TLR-4 was found. The role of lipoprotein receptors (SR-BI, ApoER2 and LDLr) in the brain as targets for a LPS transport mechanism by plasma apolipoproteins (i.e. ApoAI) was studied. Co-localization of LPS regions with these lipoproteins markers was observed. Our results suggest that LPS infiltrates in the brain in physiological conditions, possibly, through a lipoprotein transport mechanism, and it is bound to its receptors in blood-brain interfaces.
Non-contact method to freely control the radiation patterns of antenna with multi-folded transformation optics
Authors: Madni Hamza Ahmad , Zheng Bin , Zhu Rongrong , Shen Lian , Chen Hongsheng , Xu Zhiwei , Dehdashti Shahram , Zhao Yaodong , Wang Huaping 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we propose to use multi-folded transformation optics method to design a non-contact illusion device that can distantly and freely manipulate the radiation behavior of antenna located at a certain distance and such manipulation is enabled by the use of mapped electromagnetic medium coated with the transformed medium. The proposed design aims to achieve the radiation pattern of our choice from the antenna that does not possess any electromagnetic medium. Based on this, the functionality of parabolic antenna is distantly achieved from the point source. We further extended our idea to array of antennas in which the proposed device distantly makes the linear array of antennas behave like a geometrically different array of antennas. Our work extends the concept of illusion optics for active scatterer that will be very helpful for future antenna design.
Pollinator-mediated selection on flowering phenology and floral display in a distylous herb Primula alpicola
Authors: Chen Lingling , Zhang Bo , Li Qingjun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe targets and causes of phenotypic selection are crucial to understanding evolutionary ecology. However, few studies have examined selection quantitatively from multiple sources on the same trait identified the agent of natural selection experimentally. Here we quantified phenotypic selection on traits, including flowering phenology and aspects of floral display via female fitness, in the distylous perennial herbPrimula alpicola. To determine the role of pollinators in generating selection effects on floral traits, we compared the phenotypic selection gradients in open-pollinated and hand-pollinated plants. Our results show that pollinator-mediated linear selection on flowering start and correlational selection on the number of flowers and scape height explains most of the net phenotypic selection on these traits suggesting pollinators played an important role in shaping floral diversity. We used path analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine how herbivores affected the relationship between floral traits and female fitness, but no significant selection was caused by seed predators. These results suggest pollinators, not herbivores maybe the significant agent of selection on flora traits.
Decadal Western Pacific Warm Pool Variability: A Centroid and Heat Content Study
Authors: Kidwell Autumn , Han Lu , Jo Young-Heon , Yan Xiao-Hai 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe examine several characteristics of the Western Pacific Warm Pool (WP) in the past thirty years of mixed interannual variability and climate change. Our study presents the three-dimensional WP centroid (WPC) movement, WP heat content anomaly (HC) and WP volume (WPV) on interannual to decadal time scales. We show the statistically significant correlation between each parameter’s interannual anomaly and the NINO 3, NINO 3.4, NINO 4, SOI, and PDO indices. The longitudinal component of the WPC is most strongly correlated with NINO 4 (R = 0.78). The depth component of the WPC has the highest correlation (R = −0.6) with NINO3.4. The WPV and NINO4 have an R-Value of −0.65. HC has the highest correlation with NINO3.4 (R = −0.52). During the study period of 1982–2014, the non-linear trends, derived from ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), show that the WPV, WP depth and HC have all increased. The WPV has increased by 14% since 1982 and the HC has increased from −1 × 108 J/m2 in 1993 to 10 × 108 J/m2 in 2014. While the largest variances in the latitudinal and longitudinal WPC locations are associated with annual and seasonal timescales, the largest variances in the WPV and HC are due to the multi-decadal non-linear trend.
Different levels of glyphosate-resistant Lolium rigidum L. among major crops in southern Spain and France
Authors: Fernández-Moreno Pablo Tomás , Travlos Ilias , Brants Ivo , De Prado Rafael 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHerbicides are the most effective tools for controlling almost 99% of weeds. However, herbicide resistance is a primary concern in modern agriculture. The characterization in new areas and elucidation of the mechanisms of resistance are of vital importance in maintaining the sustainability of herbicides, including glyphosate. Nine populations of Lolium rigidum, showing different response patterns, were characterized as being glyphosate resistant (GR). The wide range of values in fresh weight reduction, survival, shikimic acid and EPSPS enzyme activity indicates a different or a combination resistance mechanism. The Line-3 population resulted in minimum reduction of fresh weight and survival values with respect to the glyphosate-susceptible (GS) population, showing 16.05- and 17.90-fold higher values, respectively. There were significant differences in the 14C-glyphosate translocation between GR and GS populations. Moreover, there were differences among the nine GR populations, but they exhibited a reduction in the remaining glyphosate translocation in the treated leaf. The EPSPS gene sequence revealed a Pro-106-Ser substitution in four populations, which could be characterized as being GR with non-target-site and target-site resistance mechanisms. This complexity of several resistance mechanisms makes it necessary to develop long-term integrated weed management strategies to limit further resistance dispersal.