bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wetting theory for small droplets on textured solid surfaces
Authors: Kim Donggyu , Pugno Nicola M. , Ryu Seunghwa 
Published: November 2016

AbstractConventional wetting theories on rough surfaces with Wenzel, Cassie-Baxter, and Penetrate modes suggest the possibility of tuning the contact angle by adjusting the surface texture. Despite decades of intensive study, there are still many experimental results that are not well understood because conventional wetting theory, which assumes an infinite droplet size, has been used to explain measurements of finite-sized droplets. Here, we suggest a wetting theory applicable to a wide range of droplet size for the three wetting modes by analyzing the free energy landscape with many local minima originated from the finite size. We find that the conventional theory predicts the contact angle at the global minimum if the droplet size is about 40 times or larger than the characteristic scale of the surface roughness, regardless of wetting modes. Furthermore, we obtain the energy barrier of pinning which can induce the contact angle hysteresis as a function of geometric factors. We validate our theory against experimental results on an anisotropic rough surface. In addition, we discuss the wetting on non-uniformly rough surfaces. Our findings clarify the extent to which the conventional wetting theory is valid and expand the physical understanding of wetting phenomena of small liquid drops on rough surfaces.
Structural insight for chain selection and stagger control in collagen
Authors: Boudko Sergei P. , Bächinger Hans Peter 
Published: November 2016

AbstractCollagen plays a fundamental role in all known metazoans. In collagens three polypeptides form a unique triple-helical structure with a one-residue stagger to fit every third glycine residue in the inner core without disturbing the poly-proline type II helical conformation of each chain. There are homo- and hetero-trimeric types of collagen consisting of one, two or three distinct chains. Thus there must be mechanisms that control composition and stagger during collagen folding. Here, we uncover the structural basis for both chain selection and stagger formation of a collagen molecule. Three distinct chains (α1, α2 and α3) of the non-collagenous domain 2 (NC2) of type IX collagen are assembled to guide triple-helical sequences in the leading, middle and trailing positions. This unique domain opens the door for generating any fragment of collagen in its native composition and stagger.
Self-healing polysaccharide-based hydrogels as injectable carriers for neural stem cells
Authors: Wei Zhao , Zhao Jingyi , Chen Yong Mei , Zhang Pengbo , Zhang Qiqing 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSelf-healing injectable hydrogels can be formulated as three-dimensional carriers for the treatment of neurological diseases with desirable advantages, such as avoiding the potential risks of cell loss during injection, protecting cells from the shearing force of injection. However, the demands for biocompatible self-healing injectable hydrogels to meet above requirements and to promote the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons remain a challenge. Herein, we developed a biocompatible self-healing polysaccharide-based hydrogel system as a novel injectable carrier for the delivery of NSCs. N-carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC) and oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) are the main backbones of the hydrogel networks, denoted as CEC-l-OSA hydrogel (“l” means “linked-by”). Owing to the dynamic imine cross-links formed by a Schiff reaction between amino groups on CEC and aldehyde groups on OSA, the hydrogel possesses the ability to self-heal into a integrity after being injected from needles under physiological conditions. The CEC-l-OSA hydrogel in which the stiffness mimicking nature brain tissues (100~1000 Pa) can be finely tuned to support the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs. The multi-functional, injectable, and self-healing CEC-l-OSA hydrogels hold great promises for NSC transplantation and further treatment of neurological diseases.
Characterizations of H4 avian influenza viruses isolated from ducks in live poultry markets and farm in Shanghai
Authors: Shi Ying , Cui Hongrui , Wang Junheng , Chi Qiuyan , Li Xuesong , Teng Qiaoyang , Chen Hongjun , Yang Jianmei , Liu Qinfang , Li Zejun 
Published: November 2016

AbstractH4 avian influenza virus is one of the most prevalent influenza virus subtypes in birds. The evolution and pathogenicity of H4 AIV in domestic birds of China remain largely unclear. In the present study, a total of eight H4 AIV strains isolated in duck farm and live poultry markets (LPM) were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these strains are divided into two groups in the Eurasian lineage. Eight genes of MH-2/H4N6 isolated from a duck farm were closely related to three H4N6 viruses from LPM, suggesting a potential AIV link between farms and LPMs. Additionally, the HA, NA, PB2, NP, and NS genes of two other H4N6 viruses isolated in LPM clustered with that of MH-2/H4N6. However, the remaining genes were more closely related to other sublineages, suggesting that MH-2/H4N6-originated viruses reassorted with other viruses in LPM. All H4 viruses replicated in mouse lungs without prior adaptation and all viruses replicated and transmitted among ducks. 29-1/H4N2, MH-2/H4N6, and 420-2/H4N6 viruses caused systemic infection in infected ducks. However, most of the viruses were not adapted in chickens. The present results indicate a potential correlation of AIV between LPMs and farms and suggest that active surveillance of AIV in LPM is warranted in China.
High-level expression of improved thermo-stable alkaline xylanase variant in Pichia Pastoris through codon optimization, multiple gene insertion and high-density fermentation
Authors: Lu Yihong , Fang Cheng , Wang Qinhong , Zhou Yuling , Zhang Guimin , Ma Yanhe 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn paper industry, xylanases are used to increase the pulp properties in bleaching process as its eco-friendly nature. The xylanases activity is hindered by high temperature and alkaline conditions with high enzyme production cost in the paper industry. Here, XynHB, an alkaline stable xylanase from Bacillus pumilus HBP8 was mutated at N188A to XynHBN188A. Expressed mutant in E. coli showed 1.5-fold higher xylanase activity than XynHB at 60 °C. The mutant expressed in Pichia pastoris was glycosylated, remained stable for 30 min at 60 °C. XynHBN188A optimized based on codon usage bias for P. pastoris (xynHBN188As) showed an increase of 39.5% enzyme activity. The strain Y16 forming the largest hydrolysis halo in the xylan plate was used in shake flask experiments produced an enzyme activity of 6,403 U/ml. The Y16 strain had 9 copies of the recombinant xynHBN188As gene in the genome revealed by qPCR. The enzymatic activity increased to 48,241 U/ml in a 5 L fermentor. Supplement of 15 U/g xylanase enhanced the brightness of paper products by 2% in bleaching experiment, and thereby improved the tensile strength and burst factor by 13% and 6.5%, respectively. XynHBN188As has a great potential in paper industries.
Novel Ti-Ta-Hf-Zr alloys with promising mechanical properties for prospective stent applications
Authors: Lin Jixing , Ozan Sertan , Li Yuncang , Ping Dehai , Tong Xian , Li Guangyu , Wen Cuie 
Published: November 2016

AbstractTitanium alloys are receiving increasing research interest for the development of metallic stent materials due to their excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, non-magnetism and radiopacity. In this study, a new series of Ti-Ta-Hf-Zr (TTHZ) alloys including Ti-37Ta-26Hf-13Zr, Ti-40Ta-22Hf-11.7Zr and Ti-45Ta-18.4Hf-10Zr (wt.%) were designed using the d-electron theory combined with electron to atom ratio (e/a) and molybdenum equivalence (Moeq) approaches. The microstructure of the TTHZ alloys were investigated using optical microscopy, XRD, SEM and TEM and the mechanical properties were tested using a Vickers micro-indenter, compression and tensile testing machines. The cytocompatibility of the alloys was assessed using osteoblast-like cells in vitro. The as-cast TTHZ alloys consisted of primarily β and ω nanoparticles and their tensile strength, yield strength, Young’s modulus and elastic admissible strain
were measured as being between 1000.7–1172.8 MPa, 1000.7–1132.2 MPa, 71.7–79.1 GPa and 1.32–1.58%, respectively. The compressive yield strength of the as-cast alloys ranged from 1137.0 to 1158.0 MPa. The TTHZ alloys exhibited excellent cytocompatibility as indicated by their high cell viability ratios, which were close to that of CP-Ti. The TTHZ alloys can be anticipated to be promising metallic stent materials by virtue of the unique combination of extraordinarily high elastic admissible strain, high mechanical strength and excellent biocompatibility.
Radiation-induced magnetization reversal causing a large flux loss in undulator permanent magnets
Authors: Bizen Teruhiko , Kinjo Ryota , Hasegawa Teruaki , Kagamihata Akihiro , Kida Yuichiro , Seike Takamitsu , Watanabe Takahiro , Hara Toru , Itoga Toshiro , Asano Yoshihiro , Tanaka Takashi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractWe report an unexpectedly large flux loss observed in permanent magnets in one of the undulators operated in SACLA, the x-ray free electron laser facility in Japan. Characterizations of individual magnets extracted from the relevant undulator have revealed that the flux loss was caused by a homogeneous magnetization reversal extending over a wide area, but not by demagnetization of individual magnets damaged by radiation. We show that the estimated flux-loss rate is much higher than what is reported in previous papers, and its distribution is much more localized to the upstream side. Results of numerical and experimental studies carried out to validate the magnetization reversal and quantify the flux loss are presented, together with possible countermeasures against rapid degradation of the undulator performance.
Fast and simple decycling and dismantling of networks
Authors: Zdeborová Lenka , Zhang Pan , Zhou Hai-Jun 
Published: November 2016

AbstractDecycling and dismantling of complex networks are underlying many important applications in network science. Recently these two closely related problems were tackled by several heuristic algorithms, simple and considerably sub-optimal, on the one hand, and involved and accurate message-passing ones that evaluate single-node marginal probabilities, on the other hand. In this paper we propose a simple and extremely fast algorithm, CoreHD, which recursively removes nodes of the highest degree from the 2-core of the network. CoreHD performs much better than all existing simple algorithms. When applied on real-world networks, it achieves equally good solutions as those obtained by the state-of-art iterative message-passing algorithms at greatly reduced computational cost, suggesting that CoreHD should be the algorithm of choice for many practical purposes.
Lack of Fibronectin Extra Domain A Alternative Splicing Exacerbates Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes
Authors: Gortan Cappellari Gianluca , Barazzoni Rocco , Cattin Luigi , Muro Andrés F. , Zanetti Michela 
Published: November 2016

AbstractGlucose-induced changes of artery anatomy and function account for diabetic vascular complications, which heavily impact disease morbidity and mortality. Since fibronectin containing extra domain A (EDA + FN) is increased in diabetic vessels and participates to vascular remodeling, we wanted to elucidate whether and how EDA + FN is implicated in diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction using isometric-tension recording in a murine model of diabetes. In thoracic aortas of EDA−/−, EDA+/+ (constitutively lacking and expressing EDA + FN respectively), and of wild-type mice (EDAwt/wt), streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes impaired endothelial vasodilation to acetylcholine, irrespective of genotype. However STZ + EDA−/− mice exhibited increased endothelial dysfunction compared with STZ + EDA+/+ and with STZ + EDAwt/wt. Analysis of the underlying mechanisms revealed that STZ + EDA−/− mice show increased oxidative stress as demonstrated by enhanced aortic superoxide anion, nitrotyrosine levels and expression of NADPH oxidase NOX4 and TGF-β1, the last two being reverted by treatment with the antioxidant n-acetylcysteine. In contrast, NOX1 expression and antioxidant potential were similar in aortas from the three genotypes. Interestingly, reduced eNOS expression in STZ + EDA+/+ vessels is counteracted by increased eNOS coupling and function. Although EDA + FN participates to vascular remodelling, these findings show that it plays a crucial role in limiting diabetic endothelial dysfunction by preventing vascular oxidative stress.
Cortical synaptic and dendritic spine abnormalities in a presymptomatic TDP-43 model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Fogarty Matthew J. , Klenowski Paul M. , Lee John D. , Drieberg-Thompson Joy R. , Bartlett Selena E. , Ngo Shyuan T. , Hilliard Massimo A. , Bellingham Mark C. , Noakes Peter G. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractLayer V pyramidal neurons (LVPNs) within the motor cortex integrate sensory cues and co-ordinate voluntary control of motor output. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) LVPNs and spinal motor neurons degenerate. The pathogenesis of neural degeneration is unknown in ALS; 10% of cases have a genetic cause, whereas 90% are sporadic, with most of the latter showing TDP-43 inclusions. Clinical and experimental evidence implicate excitotoxicity as a prime aetiological candidate. Using patch clamp and dye-filling techniques in brain slices, combined with high-resolution confocal microscopy, we report increased excitatory synaptic inputs and dendritic spine densities in early presymptomatic mice carrying a TDP-43Q331K mutation. These findings demonstrate substantive alterations in the motor cortex neural network, long before an overt degenerative phenotype has been reported. We conclude that increased excitatory neurotransmission is a common pathophysiology amongst differing genetic cases of ALS and may be of relevance to the 95% of sporadic ALS cases that exhibit TDP-43 inclusions.
Principal function of mineralocorticoid signaling suggested by constitutive knockout of the mineralocorticoid receptor in medaka fish
Authors: Sakamoto Tatsuya , Yoshiki Madoka , Takahashi Hideya , Yoshida Masayuki , Ogino Yukiko , Ikeuchi Toshitaka , Nakamachi Tomoya , Konno Norifumi , Matsuda Kouhei , Sakamoto Hirotaka 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAs in osmoregulation, mineralocorticoid signaling is implicated in the control of brain-behavior actions. Nevertheless, the understanding of this role is limited, partly due to the mortality of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-knockout (KO) mice due to impaired Na+ reabsorption. In teleost fish, a distinct mineralocorticoid system has only been identified recently. Here, we generated a constitutive MR-KO medaka as the first adult-viable MR-KO animal, since MR expression is modest in osmoregulatory organs but high in the brain of adult medaka as for most teleosts. Hyper- and hypo-osmoregulation were normal in MR-KO medaka. When we studied the behavioral phenotypes based on the central MR localization, however, MR-KO medaka failed to track moving dots despite having an increase in acceleration of swimming. These findings reinforce previous results showing a minor role for mineralocorticoid signaling in fish osmoregulation, and provide the first convincing evidence that MR is required for normal locomotor activity in response to visual motion stimuli, but not for the recognition of these stimuli per se. We suggest that MR potentially integrates brain-behavioral and visual responses, which might be a conserved function of mineralocorticoid signaling through vertebrates. Importantly, this fish model allows for the possible identification of novel aspects of mineralocorticoid signaling.
Recognition of Mould Colony on Unhulled Paddy Based on Computer Vision using Conventional Machine-learning and Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Sun Ke , Wang Zhengjie , Tu Kang , Wang Shaojin , Pan Leiqing 
Published: November 2016

AbstractTo investigate the potential of conventional and deep learning techniques to recognize the species and distribution of mould in unhulled paddy, samples were inoculated and cultivated with five species of mould, and sample images were captured. The mould recognition methods were built using support vector machine (SVM), back-propagation neural network (BPNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), and deep belief network (DBN) models. An accuracy rate of 100% was achieved by using the DBN model to identify the mould species in the sample images based on selected colour-histogram parameters, followed by the SVM and BPNN models. A pitch segmentation recognition method combined with different classification models was developed to recognize the mould colony areas in the image. The accuracy rates of the SVM and CNN models for pitch classification were approximately 90% and were higher than those of the BPNN and DBN models. The CNN and DBN models showed quicker calculation speeds for recognizing all of the pitches segmented from a single sample image. Finally, an efficient uniform CNN pitch classification model for all five types of sample images was built. This work compares multiple classification models and provides feasible recognition methods for mouldy unhulled paddy recognition.
Co thin films deposited directly on ZnO polar surfaces
Authors: Chiba Daichi , Shibata Naoya , Tsukazaki Atsushi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA ferromagnetic (FM)-metal/oxide stack is the key structure determining the performance of spintronic devices. However, the effect of the electronic polarity of the oxide on the magnetic properties of the adjacent FM-metal has not been investigated previously. Here, we report the magnetic and structural properties of Co ultra-thin films sputter deposited directly on the Zn- and O-polar surfaces of ZnO substrates. The magnetic anisotropy and Curie temperature exhibit dramatic polarity-dependent differences for films on these surfaces. Structural analyses reveal that the heterointerface of the Co/O-polar surface is rather diffusive, whereas that of the Co/Zn-polar surface is atomically flat. These results suggest that the surface polarity plays a key role in determining the properties of the film. This novel FM-metal/polar-oxide system is expected to add new functionality to spintronic devices and provide an ideal basis for investigating the effect of a built-in electric field on the magnetism in a metallic monolayer.
Engineering Genetically-Encoded Mineralization and Magnetism via Directed Evolution
Authors: Liu Xueliang , Lopez Paola A. , Giessen Tobias W. , Giles Michael , Way Jeffrey C. , Silver Pamela A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractGenetically encoding the synthesis of functional nanomaterials such as magnetic nanoparticles enables sensitive and non-invasive biological sensing and control. Via directed evolution of the natural iron-sequestering ferritin protein, we discovered key mutations that lead to significantly enhanced cellular magnetism, resulting in increased physical attraction of ferritin-expressing cells to magnets and increased contrast for cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The magnetic mutants further demonstrate increased iron biomineralization measured by a novel fluorescent genetic sensor for intracellular free iron. In addition, we engineered Escherichia coli cells with multiple genomic knockouts to increase cellular accumulation of various metals. Lastly to explore further protein candidates for biomagnetism, we characterized members of the DUF892 family using the iron sensor and magnetic columns, confirming their intracellular iron sequestration that results in increased cellular magnetization.
Mutations in Acetylcholinesterase2 (ace2) increase the insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to fosthiazate in the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Huang Wen-Kun , Wu Qin-Song , Peng Huan , Kong Ling-An , Liu Shi-Ming , Yin Hua-Qun , Cui Ru-Qiang , Zhan Li-Ping , Cui Jiang-Kuan , Peng De-Liang 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita causes severe damage to continuously cropping vegetables. The control of this nematode relies heavily on organophosphate nematicides in China. Here, we described resistance to the organophosphate nematicide fosthiazate in a greenhouse-collected resistant population (RP) and a laboratory susceptible population (SP) of M. incognita. Fosthiazate was 2.74-fold less toxic to nematodes from RP than that from SP. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the acetylcholinesterase2 (ace2) transcription level in the RP was significantly higher than that in the SP. Eighteen nonsynonymous amino acid differences in ace2 were observed between the cDNA fragments of the RP and SP. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) protein activity in the RP was significantly reduced compared with that in the SP. After knocking down the ace2 gene, the ace2 transcription level was significantly decreased, but no negative impact on the infection of juveniles was observed. The 50% lethal concentration of the RNAi RP population decreased 40%, but the inhibition rate of fosthiazate against AChE activity was significantly increased in RP population. Thus, the increased fosthiazate insensitivity in the M. incognita resistant population was strongly associated with mutations in ace2. These results provide valuable insights into the resistance mechanism of root-knot nematode to organophosphate nematicides.
Proteomic analysis of the postsynaptic density implicates synaptic function and energy pathways in bipolar disorder
Authors: Föcking M , Dicker P , Lopez L M , Hryniewiecka M , Wynne K , English J A , Cagney G , Cotter D R 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe postsynaptic density (PSD) contains a complex set of proteins of known relevance to neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We enriched for this anatomical structure in the anterior cingulate cortex of 16 bipolar disorder samples and 20 controls from the Stanley Medical Research Institute. Unbiased shotgun proteomics incorporating label-free quantitation was used to identify differentially expressed proteins. Quantitative investigation of the PSD identified 2033 proteins, among which 288 were found to be differentially expressed. Validation of expression changes of DNM1, DTNA, NDUFV2, SEPT11 and SSBP was performed by western blotting. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed proteins implicated metabolic pathways including mitochondrial function, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, protein translation and calcium signaling. The data implicate PSD-associated proteins, and specifically mitochondrial function in bipolar disorder. They relate synaptic function in bipolar disorder and the energy pathways that underpin it. Overall, our findings add to a growing literature linking the PSD and mitochondrial function in psychiatric disorders generally, and suggest that mitochondrial function associated with the PSD is particularly important in bipolar disorder.