bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subwavelength grating enabled on-chip ultra-compact optical true time delay line
Authors: Wang Junjia , Ashrafi Reza , Adams Rhys , Glesk Ivan , Gasulla Ivana , Capmany José , Chen Lawrence R. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAn optical true time delay line (OTTDL) is a basic photonic building block that enables many microwave photonic and optical processing operations. The conventional design for an integrated OTTDL that is based on spatial diversity uses a length-variable waveguide array to create the optical time delays, which can introduce complexities in the integrated circuit design. Here we report the first ever demonstration of an integrated index-variable OTTDL that exploits spatial diversity in an equal length waveguide array. The approach uses subwavelength grating waveguides in silicon-on-insulator (SOI), which enables the realization of OTTDLs having a simple geometry and that occupy a compact chip area. Moreover, compared to conventional wavelength-variable delay lines with a few THz operation bandwidth, our index-variable OTTDL has an extremely broad operation bandwidth practically exceeding several tens of THz, which supports operation for various input optical signals with broad ranges of central wavelength and bandwidth.
Chemo-Mechanical Characteristics of Mud Formed from Environmental Dust Particles in Humid Ambient Air
Authors: Hassan Ghassan , Yilbas B. S. , Said Syed A. M. , Al-Aqeeli N. , Matin Asif 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMud formed from environmental dust particles in humid ambient air significantly influences the performance of solar harvesting devices. This study examines the characterization of environmental dust particles and the chemo-mechanics of dry mud formed from dust particles. Analytical tools, including scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, particle sizing, and X-ray diffraction, are used to characterize dry mud and dust particles. A micro/nano tribometer is used to measure the tangential force and friction coefficient while tensile tests are carried out to assess the binding forces of dry mud pellets. After dry mud is removed, mud residuals on the glass surface are examined and the optical transmittance of the glass is measured. Dust particles include alkaline compounds, which dissolve in water condensate and form a mud solution with high pH (pH = 7.5). The mud solution forms a thin liquid film at the interface of dust particles and surface. Crystals form as the mud solution dries, thus, increasing the adhesion work required to remove dry mud from the surface. Optical transmittance of the glass is reduced after dry mud is removed due to the dry mud residue on the surface.
Coastal evacuations by fish during extreme weather events
Authors: Bailey Helen , Secor David H. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAn increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme events is predicted to occur as a result of climate change. In coastal ecosystems, hurricanes and flooding can cause dramatic changes in water quality resulting in large mortality events in estuarine fauna. Facultative migration behaviors represent a key adaptation by which animals can evacuate ecological catastrophes, but remain poorly studied in marine systems. Here we identify coastal evacuations by otherwise resident riverine striped bass in the Hudson River Estuary, New York, USA, caused by an intense period of tropical storms in autumn 2011. These storms produced record rainfall and high water discharges into the Hudson River Estuary that increased the water level and reduced the water temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen levels. Striped bass moved out of the estuary, exhibiting novel migration behaviours, that may have been in response to the strong flow and unsuitable conditions. In the months following the storms, some fish demonstrated exploratory trips back to the estuary, which may have been to assess the conditions before returning for the remainder of the winter. Behavioural adaptions to weather events by striped bass and other coastal fishes will depend on maintenance of key population segments and unimpeded evacuation routes.
Obesity, metabolic health, and mortality in adults: a nationwide population-based study in Korea
Authors: Yang Hae Kyung , Han Kyungdo , Kwon Hyuk-Sang , Park Yong-Moon , Cho Jae-Hyoung , Yoon Kun-Ho , Kang Moo-Il , Cha Bong-Yun , Lee Seung-Hwan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBMI, metabolic health status, and their interactions should be considered for estimating mortality risk; however, the data are controversial and unknown in Asians. We aimed to investigate this issue in Korean population. Total 323175 adults were followed-up for 96 (60–120) (median [5–95%]) months in a nationwide population-based cohort study. Participants were classified as “obese” (O) or “non-obese” (NO) using a BMI cut-off of 25 kg/m2. People who developed ≥1 metabolic disease component (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia) in the index year were considered “metabolically unhealthy” (MU), while those with none were considered “metabolically healthy” (MH). The MUNO group had a significantly higher risk of all-cause (hazard ratio, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.21–1.35]) and cardiovascular (1.88 [1.63–2.16]) mortality, whereas the MHO group had a lower mortality risk (all-cause: 0.81 [0.74–0.88]), cardiovascular: 0.73 [0.57–0.95]), compared to the MHNO group. A similar pattern was noted for cancer and other-cause mortality. Metabolically unhealthy status was associated with higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality regardless of BMI levels, and there was a dose-response relationship between the number of incident metabolic diseases and mortality risk. In conclusion, poor metabolic health status contributed more to mortality than high BMI did, in Korean adults.
Co-targeting EGFR and survivin with a bivalent aptamer-dual siRNA chimera effectively suppresses prostate cancer
Authors: Liu Hong Yan , Yu Xiaolin , Liu Haitao , Wu Daqing , She Jin-Xiong 
Published: July 2016

AbstractCurrent targeted therapies using small kinase inhibitors and antibodies have limited efficacy in treating prostate cancer (PCa), a leading cause of cancer death in American men. We have developed a novel strategy by engineering an RNA-based aptamer-siRNA chimera, in which a bivalent aptamer specifically binds prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) via an antibody-like structure to promote siRNA internalization in PCa cells and two siRNAs specific to EGFR and survivin are fused between two aptamers. The chimera is able to inhibit EGFR and survivin simultaneously and induce apoptosis effectively in vitro and in vivo. In the C4-2 PCa xenograft model, the treatment with the chimera significantly suppresses tumor growth and angiogenesis. The inhibition of angiogenesis is mediated by an EGFR-HIF1α-VEGF-dependent mechanism. Our results support that the bivalent aptamer-driven delivery of two siRNAs could be a new combination therapeutic strategy to effectively inhibit multiple and conventionally “undruggable” targets.
Changing Polygenic Penetrance on Phenotypes in the 20th Century Among Adults in the US Population
Authors: Conley Dalton , Laidley Thomas M. , Boardman Jason D. , Domingue Benjamin W. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis study evaluates changes in genetic penetrance—defined as the association between an additive polygenic score and its associated phenotype—across birth cohorts. Situating our analysis within recent historical trends in the U.S., we show that, while height and BMI show increasing genotypic penetrance over the course of 20th Century, education and heart disease show declining genotypic effects. Meanwhile, we find genotypic penetrance to be historically stable with respect to depression. Our findings help inform our understanding of how the genetic and environmental landscape of American society has changed over the past century, and have implications for research which models gene-environment (GxE) interactions, as well as polygenic score calculations in consortia studies that include multiple birth cohorts.
Quorum sensing systems differentially regulate the production of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid in the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1201
Authors: Sun Shuang , Zhou Lian , Jin Kaiming , Jiang Haixia , He Ya-Wen 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosastrain PA1201 is a newly identified rhizobacterium that produces high levels of the secondary metabolite phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), the newly registered biopesticide Shenqinmycin. PCA production in liquid batch cultures utilizing a specialized PCA-promoting medium (PPM) typically occurs after the period of most rapid growth and production is regulated in a quorum sensing (QS)-dependent manner. PA1201 contains two PCA biosynthetic gene clustersphz1andphz2; both clusters contribute to PCA production, withphz2making a greater contribution. PA1201 also contains a complete set of genes for four QS systems (LasI/LasR, RhlI/RhlR, PQS/MvfR and IQS). By using several methods including gene deletion, the construction of promoter-lacZfusion reporter strains and RNA-Seq analysis, this study investigated the effects of the four QS systems on bacterial growth, QS signal production, the expression ofphz1andphz2and PCA production. The possible mechanisms for the strain- and condition-dependent expression ofphz1andphz2were discussed and a schematic model was proposed. These findings provide a basis for further genetic engineering of the QS systems to improve PCA production.
Comparative 3D analyses and palaeoecology of giant early amphibians (Temnospondyli: Stereospondyli)
Authors: Fortuny Josep , Marcé-Nogué Jordi , Steyer J.-Sébastien , de Esteban-Trivigno Soledad , Mujal Eudald , Gil Lluís 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMacroevolutionary, palaeoecological and biomechanical analyses in deep time offer the possibility to decipher the structural constraints, ecomorphological patterns and evolutionary history of extinct groups. Here, 3D comparative biomechanical analyses of the extinct giant early amphibian group of stereospondyls together with living lissamphibians and crocodiles, shows that: i) stereospondyls had peculiar palaeoecological niches with proper bites and stress patterns very different than those of giant salamanders and crocodiles; ii) their extinction may be correlated with the appearance of neosuchians, which display morphofunctional innovations. Stereospondyls weathered the end-Permian mass extinction, re-radiated, acquired gigantic sizes and dominated (semi) aquatic ecosystems during the Triassic. Because these ecosystems are today occupied by crocodilians and stereospondyls are extinct amphibians, their palaeobiology is a matter of an intensive debate: stereospondyls werea prioricompared with putative living analogous such as giant salamanders and/or crocodilians and our new results try to close this debate.
Control of Earth-like magnetic fields on the transformation of ferrihydrite to hematite and goethite
Authors: Jiang Zhaoxia , Liu Qingsong , Dekkers Mark J. , Barrón Vidal , Torrent José , Roberts Andrew P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHematite and goethite are the two most abundant iron oxides in natural environments. Their formation is controlled by multiple environmental factors; therefore, their relative concentration has been used widely to indicate climatic variations. In this study, we aimed to test whether hematite and goethite growth is influenced by ambient magnetic fields of Earth-like values. Ferrihydrite was aged at 95 °C in magnetic fields ranging from ~0 to ~100 μT. Our results indicate a large influence of the applied magnetic field on hematite and goethite growth from ferrihydrite. The synthesized products are a mixture of hematite and goethite for field intensities <~60 μT. Higher fields favour hematite formation by accelerating ferrimagnetic ferrihydrite aggregation. Additionally, hematite particles growing in a controlled magnetic field of ~100 μT appear to be arranged in chains, which may be reduced to magnetite keeping its original configuration, therefore, the presence of magnetic particles in chains in natural sediments cannot be used as an exclusive indicator of biogenic magnetite. Hematite vs. goethite formation in our experiments is influenced by field intensity values within the range of geomagnetic field variability. Thus, geomagnetic field intensity could be a source of variation when using iron (oxyhydr-)oxide concentrations in environmental magnetism.
Autocrine activity of BDNF induced by the STAT3 signaling pathway causes prolonged TrkB activation and promotes human non-small-cell lung cancer proliferation
Authors: Chen Bo , Liang Yan , He Zheng , An Yunhe , Zhao Weihong , Wu Jianqing 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin superfamily, which has been implicated in the pathophysiology of the nervous system. Recently, several studies have suggested that BDNF and/or its receptor, tropomyosin related kinase B (TrkB), are involved in tumor growth and metastasis in several cancers, including prostate cancer, neuroblastoma, pancreatic ductal carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer. Despite the increasing emphasis on BDNF/TrkB signaling in human tumors, how it participates in primary tumors has not yet been determined. Additionally, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that elicit signaling downstream of TrkB in the progression of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we report the significant expression of BDNF in NSCLC samples and show that BDNF stimulation increases the synthesis of BDNF itself through activation of STAT3 in lung cancer cells. The release of BDNF can in turn activate TrkB signaling. The activation of both TrkB and STAT3 contribute to downstream signaling and promote human non-small-cell lung cancer proliferation.
Prognostic value of decreased FOXP1 protein expression in various tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xiao Jian , He Bixiu , Zou Yong , Chen Xi , Lu Xiaoxiao , Xie Mingxuan , Li Wei , He Shuya , You Shaojin , Chen Qiong 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe prognostic value of forkhead box protein P1 (FOXP1) protein expression in tumors remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases to identify eligible studies. In total, we analyzed 22 articles that examined 9 tumor types and included 2468 patients. Overall, decreased expression of FOXP1 protein was associated with favorable overall survival (OS) in lymphoma patients (HR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.30–0.48, p < 0.001). In patients with solid tumors, decreased FOXP1 expression correlated with unfavorable OS (HR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.18–2.83, p = 0.007). However, when FOXP1 protein expression was nuclear, decreased expression was also associated with favorable OS (HR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.32–0.86, p = 0.011). Furthermore, decreased FOXP1 expression resulted in the best OS in patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas (HR = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.11–0.59, p = 0.001), but the worst OS was observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (HR = 3.11, 95%CI: 1.87–5.17, p < 0.001). In addition, decreased FOXP1 expression was significantly correlated with an unfavorable relapse-free survival (RFS) in breast cancer patients (HR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.33–2.80, p = 0.001).
Construction of a tunable multi-enzyme-coordinate expression system for biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates
Authors: Jiang Wei , Fang Baishan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSystems that can regulate and coordinate the expression of multiple enzymes for metabolic regulation and synthesis of important drug intermediates are poorly explored. In this work, a strategy for constructing a tunable multi-enzyme-coordinate expression system for biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates was developed and evaluated by connecting protein-protein expressions, regulating the strength of ribosome binding sites (RBS) and detecting the system capacity for producing chiral amino acid. Results demonstrated that the dual-enzyme system had good enantioselectivity, low cost, high stability, high conversion rate and approximately 100% substrate conversion. This study has paved a new way of exploring metabolic mechanism of functional genes and engineering whole cell-catalysts for synthesis of chiral α-hydroxy acids or chiral amino acids.
Crystal structures of RidA, an important enzyme for the prevention of toxic side products
Authors: Liu Xiwen , Zeng Jianhua , Chen Xiaolei , Xie Wei 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe YjgF/YER057c/UK114 family proteins are highly conserved across all three domains of life and most of them currently have no clearly defined biological roles. In vitro, these proteins were found to hydrolyze the enamine/imine intermediates generated from serine or threonine and were renamed Reactive Intermediate Deaminase A (RidA). RidA was recently discovered in Arabidopsis thaliana, and by deaminating the toxic enamine/imine intermediates, it prevents the inactivation of many functionally important pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-containing enzymes in plants such as branched-chain aminotransferase BCAT (IlvE). In this study, we determined the crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana RidA in the apo form, as well as RidA complexed with the ligand pyruvate. RidA forms the trimeric, barrel-like quaternary structure and inter-subunit cavities and resembles most RidA family members. Each pyruvate molecule binds to the interface between two subunits and the recognition of pyruvate is achieved by the interactions with R165 and T167. From sequence alignment and structural superposition, we identified a series of key residues responsible for the trimer assembly, whose importance was confirmed by enzymatic assays. This study provides structural insight into RidA functions in plants.
A gene-by-sex interaction for nicotine reward: evidence from humanized mice and epidemiology
Authors: Bernardi R E , Zohsel K , Hirth N , Treutlein J , Heilig M , Laucht M , Spanagel R , Sommer W H 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIt has been proposed that vulnerability to nicotine addiction is moderated by variation at the μ-opioid receptor locus (OPRM1), but results from human studies vary and prospective studies based on genotype are lacking. We have developed a humanized mouse model of the most common functional OPRM1 polymorphism rs1799971_A>G (A118G). Here we use this model system together with a cohort of German youth to examine the role of the OPRM1 A118G variation on nicotine reward. Nicotine reinforcement was examined in the humanized mouse model using i.v. self-administration. Male (n=17) and female (n=26) mice homozygous either for the major human A allele (AA) or the minor G allele (GG) underwent eight daily 2 h sessions of nicotine self-administration. Furthermore, male (n=104) and female (n=118) subjects homozygous for the A allele or carrying the G allele from the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk were evaluated for pleasurable and unpleasant experiences during their initial smoking experience. A significant sex-by-genotype effect was observed for nicotine self-administration. Male 118GG mice demonstrated higher nicotine intake than male 118AA mice, suggesting increased nicotine reinforcement. In contrast, there was no genotype effect in female mice. Human male G allele carriers reported increased pleasurable effects from their first smoking experience, as compared to male homozygous A, female G and female homozygous A allele carriers. The 118G allele appears to confer greater sensitivity to nicotine reinforcement in males, but not females.
Optimum design of a line‐start permanent‐magnet motor with slotted solid rotor using neural network and imperialist competitive algorithm
Authors: Niaz Azari Milad , Mirsalim Mojtaba , Abedi Pahnehkolaei Seyed Mehdi , Mohammadi Sajjad 
Published: July 2016

Slotted solid‐rotor line‐start permanent‐magnet motors have good synchronisation capability for high load torques and moment of inertia. This study presents the impacts of rotor‐slot parameters such as the slot depth and width to obtain better synchronisation capability. Therefore, the starting torque and the torque near synchronisation speed are considered. For high synchronisation capability these torques should have higher values. To obtain optimum parameters, the artificial neural network and the imperialist competitive algorithm are used. The results obtained show that the values of parameters are very close to the outcomes of the sensitivity analysis. Finally, a four‐pole, 1500 rpm, 1050 W, three‐phase line‐start synchronous motor with an optimised slotted solid rotor is prototyped to confirm the validity of the results.
Technical and economic comparison of various electrical collection grid configurations for large photovoltaic power plants
Authors: De Prada‐Gil Mikel , Domínguez‐García Jose Luis , Trilla Lluís , Gomis‐Bellmunt Oriol 
Published: July 2016

In this study, a technical and economic comparative analysis for evaluating the performance of various electrical photovoltaic (PV) plant configurations is presented. This methodology assessment is based on a holistic approach that calculates the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) considering the capital and installation cost of the PV components, as well as, the operation and maintenance costs over the lifetime of the project. Also, the potential economic impact of the installation of batteries for providing flat‐output response is investigated. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is included for considering both economic and technical uncertainty on the LCOE. The presented methodology compares the performance of six different configurations in three hypothetical PV power plants (1, 50 and 200 MW) located in Golden, Colorado, USA. The results obtained demonstrate that although some PV power plant configurations present better efficiency (higher performance ratio), they are not the most cost‐effective solutions because of the requirement of extra equipment or the inclusion of expensive technologies. Finally, the benefit of including batteries into the system is shown for flat output operation. The results show that in spite of their inclusion increases the LCOE, extra revenues can be obtained when providing such services.
Estimating watershed degradation over the last century and its impact on water-treatment costs for the world’s large cities
Authors: McDonald Robert I. , Weber Katherine F. , Padowski Julie , Boucher Tim , Shemie Daniel 
Published: July 2016

Significance
Urban water-treatment costs depend on the water quality at the city’s source, which in turn depends on the land use in the source watersheds. Here, we show that globally urban source watershed degradation is widespread, with 9 in 10 cities losing significant amounts of natural land cover in their source watersheds to agriculture and development. This watershed degradation has impacted the cost of water treatment for about one in three large cities globally, increasing those costs by about half. This increase in cost matters because increases in water-treatment costs are paid for by those living in cities, so watershed degradation has had a real quantitative cost to hundreds of millions of urbanites.
White Flows the River
Authors: Phillips Christopher 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
White freedom and black slavery and servitude were central pillars of a consensus white culture built in the West during the early national period. Prior to national and regional debates over slavery that would emerge during the 1840s, for most white middle border residents slavery represented more than contradicted democratic ascendance in the West, seen especially in its slave states. Rather than the Ohio River forming an absolute barrier that slavery could not penetrate, and despite the Northwest Ordinance that reputedly barred slavery from the “free” part of the middle border, slavery and white supremacy were interwoven into the fabric of the entire western region. Outright slavery existed in Kentucky and later Missouri, but legislative Black Codes in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio and support for the legalization of slavery there sharply proscribed African Americans’ freedoms and discouraged their residence.