bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Superior room-temperature ductility of typically brittle quasicrystals at small sizes
Authors: Zou Yu , Kuczera Pawel , Sologubenko Alla , Sumigawa Takashi , Kitamura Takayuki , Steurer Walter , Spolenak Ralph 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe discovery of quasicrystals three decades ago unveiled a class of matter that exhibits long-range order but lacks translational periodicity. Owing to their unique structures, quasicrystals possess many unusual properties. However, a well-known bottleneck that impedes their widespread application is their intrinsic brittleness: plastic deformation has been found to only be possible at high temperatures or under hydrostatic pressures, and their deformation mechanism at low temperatures is still unclear. Here, we report that typically brittle quasicrystals can exhibit remarkable ductility of over 50% strains and high strengths of ∼4.5 GPa at room temperature and sub-micrometer scales. In contrast to the generally accepted dominant deformation mechanism in quasicrystals—dislocation climb, our observation suggests that dislocation glide may govern plasticity under high-stress and low-temperature conditions. The ability to plastically deform quasicrystals at room temperature should lead to an improved understanding of their deformation mechanism and application in small-scale devices.
Intermediate stages of electrochemical oxidation of single-crystalline platinum revealed by in situ Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Huang Yi-Fan , Kooyman Patricia J. , Koper Marc T. M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the atomistic details of how platinum surfaces are oxidized under electrochemical conditions is of importance for many electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and electrolysers. Here we use in situ shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to identify the intermediate stages of the electrochemical oxidation of Pt(111) and Pt(100) single crystals in perchloric acid. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to assist in assigning the experimental Raman bands by simulating the vibrational frequencies of possible intermediates and products. The perchlorate anion is suggested to interact with hydroxyl phase formed on the surface. Peroxo-like and superoxo-like two-dimensional (2D) surface oxides and amorphous 3D α-PtO2 are sequentially formed during the anodic polarization. Our measurements elucidate the process of the electrochemical oxidation of platinum single crystals by providing evidence for the structure-sensitive formation of a 2D platinum-(su)peroxide phase. These results may contribute towards a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of degradation of platinum electrocatalysts.
Subcompartmentalization by cross-membranes during early growth of Streptomyces hyphae
Authors: Yagüe Paula , Willemse Joost , Koning Roman I. , Rioseras Beatriz , López-García María T. , Gonzalez-Quiñonez Nathaly , Lopez-Iglesias Carmen , Shliaha Pavel V. , Rogowska-Wrzesinska Adelina , Koster Abraham J. , Jensen Ole N. , van Wezel Gilles P. , Manteca Ángel 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBacteria of the genusStreptomycesare a model system for bacterial multicellularity. Their mycelial life style involves the formation of long multinucleated hyphae during vegetative growth, with occasional cross-walls separating long compartments. Reproduction occurs by specialized aerial hyphae, which differentiate into chains of uninucleoid spores. While the tubulin-like FtsZ protein is required for the formation of all peptidoglycan-based septa inStreptomyces, canonical divisome-dependent cell division only occurs during sporulation. Here we report extensive subcompartmentalization in young vegetative hyphae ofStreptomyces coelicolor, whereby 1 μm compartments are formed by nucleic acid stain-impermeable barriers. These barriers possess the permeability properties of membranes and at least some of them are cross-membranes without detectable peptidoglycan. Z-ladders form during the early growth, but cross-membrane formation does not depend on FtsZ. Thus, a new level of hyphal organization is presented involving unprecedented high-frequency compartmentalization, which changes the old dogma thatStreptomycesvegetative hyphae have scarce compartmentalization.
Enhancement of Rydberg-mediated single-photon nonlinearities by electrically tuned Förster resonances
Authors: Gorniaczyk H. , Tresp C. , Bienias P. , Paris-Mandoki A. , Li W. , Mirgorodskiy I. , Büchler H. P. , Lesanovsky I. , Hofferberth S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMapping the strong interaction between Rydberg atoms onto single photons via electromagnetically induced transparency enables manipulation of light at the single-photon level and few-photon devices such as all-optical switches and transistors operated by individual photons. Here we demonstrate experimentally that Stark-tuned Förster resonances can substantially increase this effective interaction between individual photons. This technique boosts the gain of a single-photon transistor to over 100, enhances the non-destructive detection of single Rydberg atoms to a fidelity beyond 0.8, and enables high-precision spectroscopy on Rydberg pair states. On top, we achieve a gain larger than 2 with gate photon read-out after the transistor operation. Theory models for Rydberg polariton propagation on Förster resonance and for the projection of the stored spin-wave yield excellent agreement to our data and successfully identify the main decoherence mechanism of the Rydberg transistor, paving the way towards photonic quantum gates.
Structural manipulation and tailoring of dielectric properties in SrTi1−xFexTaxO3 perovskites: Design of new lead free relaxors
Authors: Shukla R. , Patwe S. J. , Deshpande S. K. , Achary S. N. , Krishna P. S. R. , Shinde A. B. , Gopalakrishnan J. , Tyagi A. K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe report composition dependent structure evolution from SrTiO3 to SrFe0.5Ta0.5O3 by powder X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of SrTi1−2xFexTaxO3 (0.00 ≤ × ≤ 0.50) compositions. Structural studies reveal cubic (Pm3m) perovskite-type structure of the parent SrTiO3 for x up to 0.075 and cation disordered orthorhombic (Pbnm) perovskite-type structure for x ≥ 0.33. A biphasic region consisting of a mixture of cubic and orthorhombic structures is found in the range for 0.10 ≤ × ≤ 0.25. Dielectric studies reveal transformation from a normal dielectric to relaxor like properties with increasing Fe3+ and Ta5+ concentration. Dielectric response is maximum at x = 0.33 in the series. The results establish a protocol for designing new lead-free relaxor materials based on the co-substitution of Fe3+ and Ta5+ for Ti4+ in SrTiO3. A complex interplay of strain effects arising from distribution of cations at the octahedral sites of the perovskite structure controls the dielectric properties.
ERAP1-ERAP2 dimers trim MHC I-bound precursor peptides; implications for understanding peptide editing
Authors: Chen Hanna , Li Lenong , Weimershaus Mirjana , Evnouchidou Irini , van Endert Peter , Bouvier Marlene 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe processing of MHC class I antigenic precursor peptides by the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) and ERAP2 is an important event in the cell biology of antigen presentation. To date, the molecular context by which the ERAP enzymes trim precursor peptides, and how ERAPs shape peptide repertoires, remain open questions. Using ERAP1 and ERAP2 heterodimers (ERAP1/2), and N-terminally extended model and natural peptides in their free and HLA-B*0801-bound forms, we characterized the mode of action of ERAPs. We provide evidence that ERAP1/2 can trim MHC I-bound precursor peptides to their correct and final lengths, albeit more slowly than the corresponding free precursors. Trimming of MHC I-bound precursors by ERAP1/2 increases the conformational stability of MHC I/peptide complexes. From the data, we propose a molecular mechanistic model of ERAP1/2 as peptide editors. Overall, our study provides new findings on a significant issue of the ERAP-mediated processing pathway of MHC class I antigens.
High-pressure X-ray diffraction, Raman and computational studies of MgCl2 up to 1 Mbar: Extensive pressure stability of the β-MgCl2 layered structure
Authors: Stavrou Elissaios , Yao Yansun , Zaug Joseph M. , Bastea Sorin , Kalkan Bora , Konôpková Zuzana , Kunz Martin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMagnesium chloride (MgCl2) with the rhombohedral layered CdCl2-type structure (α-MgCl2) has been studied experimentally using synchrotron angle-dispersive powder x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy using a diamond-anvil cell up to 100 GPa at room temperature and theoretically using first-principles density functional calculations. The results reveal a pressure-induced second-order structural phase transition to a hexagonal layered CdI2-type structure (β-MgCl2) at 0.7 GPa: the stacking sequence of the Cl anions are altered resulting in a reduction of the c-axis length. Theoretical calculations confirm this phase transition sequence and the calculated transition pressure is in excellent agreement with the experiment. Lattice dynamics calculations also reproduce the experimental Raman spectra measured for the ambient and high-pressure phase. According to our experimental results MgCl2remains in a 2D layered phase up to 100 GPa and further, the 6-fold coordination of Mg cations is retained. Theoretical calculations of relative enthalpy suggest that this extensive pressure stability is due to a low enthalpy of the layered structure ruling out kinetic barrier effects. This observation is unusual, as it contradicts with the general structural behavior of highly compressed AB2compounds.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Oxidation of Cu-Au Alloy Surfaces: Effect of Bulk Au Concentration
Authors: Okada Michio , Tsuda Yasutaka , Oka Kohei , Kojima Kazuki , Diño Wilson Agerico , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Kasai Hideaki 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe report results of our experimental and theoretical studies on the oxidation of Cu-Au alloy surfaces, viz., Cu3Au(111), CuAu(111) and Au3Cu(111), using hyperthermal O2 molecular beam (HOMB). We observed strong Au segregation to the top layer of the corresponding clean (111) surfaces. This forms a protective layer that hinders further oxidation into the bulk. The higher the concentration of Au in the protective layer formed, the higher the protective efficacy. As a result, of the three Cu-Au surfaces studied, Au3Cu(111) is the most stable against dissociative adsorption of O2, even with HOMB. We also found that this protective property breaks down for oxidations occurring at temperatures above 300 K.
Aβ Induces Excitotoxicity Mediated by APC/C-Cdh1 Depletion That Can Be Prevented by Glutaminase Inhibition Promoting Neuronal Survival
Authors: Fuchsberger T. , Martínez-Bellver S. , Giraldo E. , Teruel-Martí V. , Lloret A. , Viña J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe E3 ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is activated by the fizzy-related protein homolog/CDC20-like protein 1 (cdh1) in post-mitotic neurons. Growing evidence suggests that dysregulation of APC/C-Cdh1 is involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we show in neurons that oligomers of amyloid beta (Aβ), a peptide related to Alzheimer’s disease, cause proteasome-dependent degradation of cdh1. This leads to a subsequent increase in glutaminase (a degradation target of APC/C-Cdh1), which causes an elevation of glutamate levels and further intraneuronal Ca2+ dysregulation, resulting in neuronal apoptosis. Glutaminase inhibition prevents glutamate excitotoxicity and apoptosis in Aβ treated neurons. Furthermore, glutamate also decreases cdh1 and leads to accumulation of glutaminase, suggesting that there may be a positive feedback loop of cdh1 inactivation. We confirmed the main findings in vivo using microinjection of either Aβ or glutamate in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. We show here for the first time in vivo that both Aβ and glutamate cause nuclear exclusion of cdh1 and an increase in glutaminase. These results show that maintaining normal APC/C-Cdh1 activity may be a useful target in Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
A new survivin tracer tracks, delocalizes and captures endogenous survivin at different subcellular locations and in distinct organelles
Authors: Beghein Els , Van Audenhove Isabel , Zwaenepoel Olivier , Verhelle Adriaan , De Ganck Ariane , Gettemans Jan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSurvivin, the smallest member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, plays a central role during mitosis and exerts a cytoprotective function. Survivin is highly expressed in most cancer types and contributes to multiple facets of carcinogenesis. The molecular mechanisms underlying its highly diverse functions need to be extensively explored, which is crucial for rational design of future personalized therapeutics. In this study, we have generated an alpaca survivin nanobody (SVVNb8) that binds with low nanomolar affinity to its target. When expressed as an intrabody in HeLa cells, SVVNb8 faithfully tracks survivin during different phases of mitosis without interfering with survivin function. Furthermore, coupling SVVNb8 with a subcellular delocalization tag efficiently redirects endogenous survivin towards the nucleus, the cytoplasm, peroxisomes and even to the intermembrane space of mitochondria where it presumably interacts with resident mitochondrial survivin. Based on our findings, we believe that SVVNb8 is an excellent instrument to further elucidate survivin biology and topography and can serve as a model system to investigate mitochondrial and peroxisomal (survivin) protein import.
The neuronal mechanisms underlying improvement of impulsivity in ADHD by theta/beta neurofeedback
Authors: Bluschke Annet , Broschwitz Felicia , Kohl Simon , Roessner Veit , Beste Christian 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNeurofeedback is increasingly recognized as an intervention to treat core symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite the large number of studies having been carried out to evaluate its effectiveness, it is widely elusive what neuronal mechanisms related to the core symptoms of ADHD are modulated by neurofeedback. 19 children with ADHD undergoing 8 weeks of theta/beta neurofeedback and 17 waiting list controls performed a Go/Nogo task in a pre-post design. We used neurophysiological measures combining high-density EEG recording with source localization analyses using sLORETA. Compared to the waiting list ADHD control group, impulsive behaviour measured was reduced after neurofeedback treatment. The effects of neurofeedback were very specific for situations requiring inhibitory control over responses. The neurophysiological data shows that processes of perceptual gating, attentional selection and resource allocation processes were not affected by neurofeedback. Rather, neurofeedback effects seem to be based on the modulation of response inhibition processes in medial frontal cortices. The study shows that specific neuronal mechanisms underlying impulsivity are modulated by theta/beta neurofeedback in ADHD. The applied neurofeedback protocol could be particularly suitable to address inhibitory control. The study validates assumed functional neuroanatomical target regions of an established neurofeedback protocol on a neurophysiological level.
An impaired metabolic response to hydrostatic pressure explains Alcanivorax borkumensis recorded distribution in the deep marine water column
Authors: Scoma Alberto , Barbato Marta , Borin Sara , Daffonchio Daniele , Boon Nico 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAlcanivorax borkumensis is an ubiquitous model organism for hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, which dominates polluted surface waters. Its negligible presence in oil-contaminated deep waters (as observed during the Deepwater Horizon accident) raises the hypothesis that it may lack adaptive mechanisms to hydrostatic pressure (HP). The type strain SK2 was tested under 0.1, 5 and 10 MPa (corresponding to surface water, 500 and 1000 m depth, respectively). While 5 MPa essentially inactivated SK2, further increase to 10 MPa triggered some resistance mechanism, as indicated by higher total and intact cell numbers. Under 10 MPa, SK2 upregulated the synthetic pathway of the osmolyte ectoine, whose concentration increased from 0.45 to 4.71 fmoles cell−1. Central biosynthetic pathways such as cell replication, glyoxylate and Krebs cycles, amino acids metabolism and fatty acids biosynthesis, but not β-oxidation, were upregulated or unaffected at 10 MPa, although total cell number was remarkably lower with respect to 0.1 MPa. Concomitantly, expression of more than 50% of SK2 genes was downregulated, including genes related to ATP generation, respiration and protein translation. Thus, A. borkumensis lacks proper adaptation to HP but activates resistance mechanisms. These consist in poorly efficient biosynthetic rather than energy-yielding degradation-related pathways, and suggest that HP does represent a major driver for its distribution at deep-sea.
Novel pH-Sensitive Cyclic Peptides
Authors: Weerakkody Dhammika , Moshnikova Anna , El-Sayed Naglaa Salem , Adochite Ramona-Cosmina , Slaybaugh Gregory , Golijanin Jovana , Tiwari Rakesh K. , Andreev Oleg A. , Parang Keykavous , Reshetnyak Yana K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA series of cyclic peptides containing a number of tryptophan (W) and glutamic acid (E) residues were synthesized and evaluated as pH-sensitive agents for targeting of acidic tissue and pH-dependent cytoplasmic delivery of molecules. Biophysical studies revealed the molecular mechanism of peptides action and localization within the lipid bilayer of the membrane at high and low pHs. The symmetric, c[(WE)4WC] and asymmetric, c[E4W5C], cyclic peptides translocated amanitin, a polar cargo molecule of similar size, across the lipid bilayer and induced cell death in a pH- and concentration-dependent manner. Fluorescently-labelled peptides were evaluated for targeting of acidic 4T1 mammary tumors in mice. The highest tumor to muscle ratio (5.6) was established for asymmetric cyclic peptide, c[E4W5C], at 24 hours after intravenous administration. pH-insensitive cyclic peptide c[R4W5C], where glutamic acid residues (E) were replaced by positively charged arginine residues (R), did not exhibit tumor targeting. We have introduced a novel class of cyclic peptides, which can be utilized as a new pH-sensitive tool in investigation or targeting of acidic tissue.
A Horn-fed Frequency Scanning Holographic Antenna Based on Generalized Law of Reflection
Authors: Liu Dawei , Cheng Bo , Pan Xiaotian , Qiao Lifang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA new method of designing horn-fed frequency scanning holographic antenna is proposed. The artificial surface design of holographic antenna is based on generalized law of reflection. The input admittance is utilized to construct the interference pattern of the surface which is intervened by the excitation wave and the required radiation wave. The scalar admittance unit cell which is composed of sub-wavelength metallic patch on grounded dielectric substrate is implemented to design artificial surface and the simulation results are just as expected that the antenna can scan the beam as the frequency changes. Furthermore, a cross shaped patch printed on grounded dielectric unit cells is used to reduce the designing complexity of tensor admittance surface. At last, a frequency scanning holographic antenna with tensor admittance surface with ability of changing linear polarization excitation wave to left-hand circular polarization (LCP) radiation wave is designed and fabricated. The full-wave simulation and experimental results show well agreement and confirm the method proposed.
Responses of Waveform-Selective Absorbing Metasurfaces to Oblique Waves at the Same Frequency
Authors: Wakatsuchi Hiroki , Gao Fei , Yagitani Satoshi , Sievenpiper Daniel F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractConventional materials vary their electromagnetic properties in response to the frequency of an incoming wave, but these responses generally remain unchanged at the same frequency unless nonlinearity is involved. Waveform-selective metasurfaces, recently developed by integrating several circuit elements with planar subwavelength periodic structures, allowed us to distinguish different waves even at the same frequency depending on how long the waves continued, namely, on their pulse widths. These materials were thus expected to give us an additional degree of freedom to control electromagnetic waves. However, all the past studies were demonstrated with waves at a normal angle only, although in reality electromagnetic waves scatter from various structures or boundaries and therefore illuminate the metasurfaces at oblique angles. Here we study angular dependences of waveform-selective metasurfaces both numerically and experimentally. We demonstrate that, if designed properly, capacitor-based waveform-selective metasurfaces more effectively absorb short pulses than continuous waves (CWs) for a wide range of the incident angle, while inductor-based metasurfaces absorb CWs more strongly. Our study is expected to be usefully exploited for applying the concept of waveform selectivity to a wide range of existing microwave devices to expand their functionalities or performances in response to pulse width as a new capability.
Elimination of microglia improves cognitive function following cranial irradiation
Authors: Acharya Munjal M. , Green Kim N. , Allen Barrett D. , Najafi Allison R. , Syage Amber , Minasyan Harutyun , Le Mi T. , Kawashita Takumi , Giedzinski Erich , Parihar Vipan K. , West Brian L. , Baulch Janet E. , Limoli Charles L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCranial irradiation for the treatment of brain cancer elicits progressive and severe cognitive dysfunction that is associated with significant neuropathology. Radiation injury in the CNS has been linked to persistent microglial activation, and we find upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes even 6 weeks after irradiation. We hypothesize that depletion of microglia in the irradiated brain would have a neuroprotective effect. Adult mice received acute head only irradiation (9 Gy) and were administered a dietary inhibitor (PLX5622) of colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) to deplete microglia post-irradiation. Cohorts of mice maintained on a normal and PLX5662 diet were analyzed for cognitive changes using a battery of behavioral tasks 4–6 weeks later. PLX5622 treatment caused a rapid and near complete elimination of microglia in the brain within 3 days of treatment. Irradiation of animals given a normal diet caused characteristic behavioral deficits designed to test medial pre-frontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampal learning and memory and caused increased microglial activation. Animals receiving the PLX5622 diet exhibited no radiation-induced cognitive deficits, and exhibited near complete loss of IBA-1 and CD68 positive microglia in the mPFC and hippocampus. Our data demonstrate that elimination of microglia through CSF1R inhibition can ameliorate radiation-induced cognitive deficits in mice.