bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal dynamics of information encoding revealed in orbitofrontal high-gamma
Authors: Rich Erin L. , Wallis Joni D. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHigh-gamma signals mirror the tuning and temporal profiles of neurons near a recording electrode in sensory and motor areas. These frequencies appear to aggregate local neuronal activity, but it is unclear how this relationship affects information encoding in high-gamma activity (HGA) in cortical areas where neurons are heterogeneous in selectivity and temporal responses, and are not functionally clustered. Here we report that populations of neurons and HGA recorded from the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) encode similar information, although there is little correspondence between signals recorded by the same electrode. HGA appears to aggregate heterogeneous neuron activity, such that the spiking of a single cell corresponds to only small increases in HGA. Interestingly, large-scale spatiotemporal dynamics are revealed in HGA, but less apparent in the population of single neurons. Overall, HGA is closely related to neuron activity in OFC, and provides a unique means of studying large-scale spatiotemporal dynamics of information processing.
Examining the human infectious reservoir for Plasmodium falciparum malaria in areas of differing transmission intensity
Authors: Gonçalves Bronner P. , Kapulu Melissa C. , Sawa Patrick , Guelbéogo Wamdaogo M. , Tiono Alfred B. , Grignard Lynn , Stone Will , Hellewell Joel , Lanke Kjerstin , Bastiaens Guido J. H. , Bradley John , Nébié Issa , Ngoi Joyce M. , Oriango Robin , Mkabili Dora , Nyaurah Maureen , Midega Janet , Wirth Dyann F. , Marsh Kevin , Churcher Thomas S. , Bejon Philip , Sirima Sodiomon B. , Drakeley Chris , Bousema Teun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA detailed understanding of the human infectious reservoir is essential for improving malaria transmission-reducing interventions. Here we report a multi-regional assessment of population-wide malaria transmission potential based on 1209 mosquito feeding assays in endemic areas of Burkina Faso and Kenya. Across both sites, we identified 39 infectious individuals. In high endemicity settings, infectious individuals were identifiable by research-grade microscopy (92.6%; 25/27), whilst one of three infectious individuals in the lowest endemicity setting was detected by molecular techniques alone. The percentages of infected mosquitoes in the different surveys ranged from 0.05 (4/7716) to 1.6% (121/7749), and correlate positively with transmission intensity. We also estimated exposure to malaria vectors through genetic matching of blood from 1094 wild-caught bloodfed mosquitoes with that of humans resident in the same houses. Although adults transmitted fewer parasites to mosquitoes than children, they received more mosquito bites, thus balancing their contribution to the infectious reservoir.
Maximizing T
c by tuning nematicity and magnetism in FeSe1−x
S
x
superconductors
Authors: Matsuura K. , Mizukami Y. , Arai Y. , Sugimura Y. , Maejima N. , Machida A. , Watanuki T. , Fukuda T. , Yajima T. , Hiroi Z. , Yip K. Y. , Chan Y. C. , Niu Q. , Hosoi S. , Ishida K. , Mukasa K. , Kasahara S. , Cheng J.-G. , Goh S. K. , Matsuda Y. , Uwatoko Y. , Shibauchi T. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA fundamental issue concerning iron-based superconductivity is the roles of electronic nematicity and magnetism in realising high transition temperature (Tc). To address this issue, FeSe is a key material, as it exhibits a unique pressure phase diagram involving non-magnetic nematic and pressure-induced antiferromagnetic ordered phases. However, as these two phases in FeSe have considerable overlap, how each order affects superconductivity remains perplexing. Here we construct the three-dimensional electronic phase diagram, temperature (T) against pressure (P) and isovalent S-substitution (x), for FeSe1−x
S
x
. By simultaneously tuning chemical and physical pressures, against which the chalcogen height shows a contrasting variation, we achieve a complete separation of nematic and antiferromagnetic phases. In between, an extended non-magnetic tetragonal phase emerges, where Tc shows a striking enhancement. The completed phase diagram uncovers that high-Tc superconductivity lies near both ends of the dome-shaped antiferromagnetic phase, whereas Tc remains low near the nematic critical point.
Ultrathin two-dimensional porous organic nanosheets with molecular rotors for chemical sensing
Authors: Dong Jinqiao , Zhang Kang , Li Xu , Qian Yuhong , Zhu Hai , Yuan Daqiang , Xu Qing-Hua , Jiang Jianwen , Zhao Dan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMolecular rotors have played an important role in recent materials chemistry. Although several studies on functional materials containing molecular rotors have been reported for fluorescence sensing, this concept has yet to be realized in two-dimensional (2D) materials. Here we report the preparation of all-carbon, π-conjugated 2D porous organic nanosheets, named NUS-24, which contain flexible tetraphenylethylene (TPE) units as the molecular rotors. NUS-24 nanosheets exhibit high stability, large lateral size, and ultrathin thickness (2–5 nm). The dynamic TPE rotors exposed on the surface of NUS-24 nanosheets can be restricted in the aggregated state with different water fractions, which is reminiscent of the aggregation-induced emission mechanism, thereby leading to the size-selective turn-on fluorescence by volatile organic compounds. Significantly, the ultrathin 2D nanosheets and its composite membranes show much higher sensitivity and selectivity toward Fe3+ ions and nitro-containing compounds sensing, suggesting their potential applications in explosive detection and environmental monitoring.
Cross-plane Thermoelectric and Thermionic Transport across Au/h-BN/Graphene Heterostructures
Authors: Poudel Nirakar , Liang Shi-Jun , Choi David , Hou Bingya , Shen Lang , Shi Haotian , Ang Lay Kee , Shi Li , Cronin Stephen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe thermoelectric voltage generated at an atomically abrupt interface has not been studied exclusively because of the lack of established measurement tools and techniques. Atomically thin 2D materials provide an excellent platform for studying the thermoelectric transport at these interfaces. Here, we report a novel technique and device structure to probe the thermoelectric transport across Au/h-BN/graphene heterostructures. An indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrical heater is patterned on top of this heterostructure, enabling Raman spectroscopy and thermometry to be obtained from the graphene top electrode in situ under device operating conditions. Here, an AC voltage V(ω) is applied to the ITO heater and the thermoelectric voltage across the Au/h-BN/graphene heterostructure is measured at 2ω using a lock-in amplifier. We report the Seebeck coefficient for our thermoelectric structure to be −215 μV/K. The Au/graphene/h-BN heterostructures enable us to explore thermoelectric and thermal transport on nanometer length scales in a regime of extremely short length scales. The thermoelectric voltage generated at the graphene/h-BN interface is due to thermionic emission rather than bulk diffusive transport. As such, this should be thought of as an interfacial Seebeck coefficient rather than a Seebeck coefficient of the constituent materials.
Exploratory Testing of Diatom Silica to Map the Role of Material Attributes on Cell Fate
Authors: Walsh Pamela J. , Clarke Susan A. , Julius Matthew , Messersmith Phillip B. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPorous silica is an attractive biomaterial in many applications, including drug-delivery systems, bone-graft fillers and medical devices. The issue with porous silica biomaterials is the rate at which they resorb and the significant role played by interfacial chemistry on the host response in vivo. This paper explores the potential of diatom-biosilica as a model tool to assist in the task of mapping and quantifying the role of surface topography and chemical cues on cell fate. Diatoms are unicellular microalgae whose cell walls are composed of, amorphous nanopatterned biosilica that cannot be replicated synthetically. Their unique nanotopography has the potential to improve understanding of interface reactions between materials and cells. This study used Cyclotella meneghiniana as a test subject to assess cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory reactions to diatom-biosilica. The results suggest that diatom-biosilica is non-cytotoxic to J774.2 macrophage cells, and supports cell proliferation and growth. The addition of amine and thiol linkers have shown a significant effect on cytotoxicity, growth and cytokine response, thus warranting further investigation into the interfacial effects of small chemical modifications to substrate surfaces. The overall findings suggest diatom-biosilica offers a unique platform for in-depth investigation of the role played by nanotopography and chemistry in biomedical applications.
Exceptional appendage and soft-tissue preservation in a Middle Triassic horseshoe crab from SW China
Authors: Hu Shixue , Zhang Qiyue , Feldmann Rodney M. , Benton Michael J. , Schweitzer Carrie E. , Huang Jinyuan , Wen Wen , Zhou Changyong , Xie Tao , Lü Tao , Hong Shuigen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHorseshoe crabs are classic “living fossils”, supposedly slowly evolving, conservative taxa, with a long fossil record back to the Ordovician. The evolution of their exoskeleton is well documented by fossils, but appendage and soft-tissue preservation is extremely rare. Here we analyse details of appendage and soft-tissue preservation in Yunnanolimulus luopingensis, a Middle Triassic (ca. 244 million years old) horseshoe crab from Yunnan Province, SW China. The remarkable preservation of anatomical details including the chelicerae, five pairs of walking appendages, opisthosomal appendages with book gills, muscles, and fine setae permits comparison with extant horseshoe crabs. The close anatomical similarity between the Middle Triassic horseshoe crabs and their recent analogues documents anatomical conservatism for over 240 million years, suggesting persistence of lifestyle. The occurrence of Carcinoscorpius-type claspers on the first and second walking legs in male individuals of Y. luopingensis indicates that simple chelate claspers in males are plesiomorphic for horseshoe crabs, and the bulbous claspers in Tachypleus and Limulus are derived.
Profiling of miRNAs and target genes related to cystogenesis in ADPKD mouse models
Authors: Woo Yu Mi , Kim Do Yeon , Koo Nam Jin , Kim Yong-Min , Lee Sunyoung , Ko Je Yeong , Shin Yubin , Kim Bo Hye , Mun Hyowon , Choi Seonju , Lee Eun Ji , Shin Jeong-Oh , Park Eun Young , Bok Jinwoong , Park Jong Hoon 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAutosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common inherited renal disease characterized by the development of numerous fluid-filled cysts in both kidneys. We investigated miRNA-mediated regulatory systems and networks that play an important role during cystogenesis through integrative analysis of miRNA- and RNA-seq using two ADPKD mouse models (conditional Pkd1- or Pkd2-deficient mice), at three different time points (P1, P3, and P7). At each time point, we identified 13 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) and their potential targets in agreement with cyst progression in both mouse models. These targets were involved in well-known signaling pathways linked to cystogenesis. More specifically, we found that the actin cytoskeleton pathway was highly enriched and connected with other well-known pathways of ADPKD. We verified that miR-182-5p regulates actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and promotes ADPKD cystogenesis by repressing its target genes—Wasf2, Dock1, and Itga4—in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that actin cytoskeleton may play an important role in renal cystogenesis, and miR-182-5p is a novel regulator of actin cytoskeleton and cyst progression. Furthermore, this study provides a systemic network of both key miRNAs and their targets associated with cyst growth in ADPKD.
A New Method for Targeted and Sustained Induction of Type 2 Diabetes in Rodents
Authors: Premilovac Dino , Gasperini Robert J. , Sawyer Sarah , West Adrian , Keske Michelle A. , Taylor Bruce V. , Foa Lisa 
Published: October 2017

AbstractType 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that is becoming a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The prolonged time-course of human type 2 diabetes makes modelling of the disease difficult and additional animal models and methodologies are needed. The goal of this study was to develop and characterise a new method that allows controlled, targeted and sustained induction of discrete stages of type 2 diabetes in rodents. Using adult, male rats, we employed a three-week high fat-diet regimen and confirmed development of obesity-associated glucose intolerance, a key feature of human type 2 diabetes. Next, we utilised osmotic mini-pumps to infuse streptozotocin (STZ; doses ranging 80–200 mg/kg) over the course of 14-days to decrease insulin-producing capacity thus promoting hyperglycemia. Using this new approach, we demonstrate a dose-dependent effect of STZ on circulating glucose and insulin levels as well as glucose tolerance, while retaining a state of obesity. Importantly, we found that insulin secretion in response to a glucose load was present, but reduced in a dose-dependent manner by increasing STZ. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel method that enables induction of discrete stages of type 2 diabetes in rodents that closely mirrors the different stages of type 2 diabetes in humans.
Stochastic Spin-Orbit Torque Devices as Elements for Bayesian Inference
Authors: Shim Yong , Chen Shuhan , Sengupta Abhronil , Roy Kaushik 
Published: October 2017

AbstractProbabilistic inference from real-time input data is becoming increasingly popular and may be one of the potential pathways at enabling cognitive intelligence. As a matter of fact, preliminary research has revealed that stochastic functionalities also underlie the spiking behavior of neurons in cortical microcircuits of the human brain. In tune with such observations, neuromorphic and other unconventional computing platforms have recently started adopting the usage of computational units that generate outputs probabilistically, depending on the magnitude of the input stimulus. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a spintronic device that offers a direct mapping to the functionality of such a controllable stochastic switching element. We show that the probabilistic switching of Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures in presence of spin-orbit torque and thermal noise can be harnessed to enable probabilistic inference in a plethora of unconventional computing scenarios. This work can potentially pave the way for hardware that directly mimics the computational units of Bayesian inference.
Preparing entangled states between two NV centers via the damping of nanomechanical resonators
Authors: Li Xiao-Xiao , Li Peng-Bo , Ma Sheng-Li , Li Fu-Li 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe propose an efficient scheme for preparing entangled states between two separated nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in a spin-mechanical system via a dissipative quantum dynamical process. The proposal actively exploits the nanomechanical resonator (NAMR) damping to drive the NV centers to the target state through a quantum reservoir engineering approach. The distinct features of the present work are that we turn the detrimental source of noise into a resource and only need high-frequency low-Q mechanical resonators, which make our scheme more simple and feasible in experimental implementation. This protocol may have interesting applications in quantum information processing with spin-mechanical systems.
Testing scientific models using Qualitative Reasoning: Application to cellulose hydrolysis
Authors: Kansou Kamal , Rémond Caroline , Paës Gabriel , Bonnin Estelle , Tayeb Jean , Bredeweg Bert 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWith the accumulation of scientific information in natural science, even experts can find difficult to keep integrating new piece of information. It is critical to explore modelling solutions able to capture information scattered in publications as a computable representation form. Traditional modelling techniques are important in that regard, but relying on numerical information comes with limitations for integrating results from distinct studies, high-level representations can be more suited. We present an approach to stepwise construct mechanistic explanation from selected scientific papers using the Qualitative Reasoning framework. As a proof of concept, we apply the approach to modelling papers about cellulose hydrolysis mechanism, focusing on the causal explanations for the decreasing of hydrolytic rate. Two explanatory QR models are built to capture classical explanations for the phenomenon. Our results show that none of them provides sufficient explanation for a set of basic experimental observations described in the literature. Combining the two explanations into a third one allowed to get a new and sufficient explanation for the experimental results. In domains where numerical data are scarce and strongly related to the experimental conditions, this approach can aid assessing the conceptual validity of an explanation and support integration of knowledge from different sources.
The influence of flow velocity on coal fines output and coal permeability in the Fukang Block, southern Junggar Basin, China
Authors: Tao Shu , Tang Dazhen , Xu Hao , Li Song 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCoal samples were cut into cores to perform a flow velocity sensitivity (FVS) analysis under varying initial permeability, confining pressures, injection volumes, and injection intensities. The results show that the permeability and the output of the coal fines decrease with an increase in confining pressures at a constant displacement velocity. A critical flow velocity exists for the migration of relatively large coal fines. Below this critical flow velocity, very small coal fines can be transported out of the coal by the fluid, slightly increasing the coal permeability. However, larger coal fines are transported at a higher flow velocity, which may block the effective seepage paths and reduce coal permeability, inducing FVS. Moreover, as the flow velocity and the injection volume increase, the permeability damage rate increases, but the rate of increase in the permeability damage decreases. The damage to the permeability due to FVS mainly occurs in the early stage of coal fines migration, and an abrupt increase in the flow velocity can damage reservoirs and induce substantial coal fines generation. Thus, maintaining a stable effective strength and a controlled depressurization rate during drainage can effectively constrain coal fines output and decrease permeability damage within coal reservoirs.
Age-related changes in the spatiotemporal responses to electrical stimulation in the visual cortex of rats with progressive vision loss
Authors: Miyamoto Soshi , Suematsu Naofumi , Umehira Yuichi , Hayashida Yuki , Yagi Tetsuya 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat gradually loses vision due to retinal degeneration. Previous physiological studies have depicted the progressive loss of optical responses in the visual pathway, including the primary visual cortex (V1), over the course of retinal degeneration in the RCS rat. However, little is known about how the excitability of the V1 circuit changes during over the course of the gradual loss of visual signal input from the retina. We elucidated the properties of responses to electrical stimulations directly applied to V1 at different stages of vision input loss in the RCS rat in reference to those of the Long-Evans (LE) rat, using in vivo voltage-sensitive dye imaging. The V1 neuronal network of the RCS rat exhibited an excitatory response comparable to the LE rat. The excitatory response was maintained even long after total loss of the visual signal input from the retina. However, the response time-course suggested that the suppressive response was somewhat debilitated in the RCS rat. This is the first experiment demonstrating the long-term effect of retinal degeneration on cortical activities. Our findings provide the physiological fundamentals to enhance the preclinical research of cortical prostheses with the use of the RCS rat.
Epidermal SIRT1 regulates inflammation, cell migration, and wound healing
Authors: Qiang Lei , Sample Ashley , Liu Han , Wu Xiaoyang , He Yu-Ying 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSirtuins (SIRT1-7) are NAD-dependent proteins with the enzymatic activity of deacetylases and ADP ribosyltransferases. SIRT1 is the proto member of the proteins in the mammalian sirtuin family and plays multiple roles in aging and disease. Using mice with epidermis-specific SIRT1 deletion, we show that SIRT1 is required for efficient wound healing. SIRT1 deficiency in the epidermis inhibited the regeneration of both the epidermis and the dermal stroma. SIRT1 loss altered the production of many cytokines, inhibited the recruitment of macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells, the recruitment and activation of fibroblasts, and angiogenesis in the granulation tissue. In keratinocytes, SIRT1 knockdown inhibited EMT, cell migration, and TGF-β signaling. For the first time, using skin-specific mouse model, we demonstrate that epidermal SIRT1 plays a crucial role in wound repair. These findings are novel in understanding how wound healing is regulated. Our findings provide in vivo and in vitro evidence that SIRT1 in the epidermis regulates cell migration, redox response, inflammation, epidermis re-epithelialization, granulation formation, and proper wound healing in mice.
Association between AIRE gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies
Authors: Bérczi Bálint , Gerencsér Gellért , Farkas Nelli , Hegyi Péter , Veres Gábor , Bajor Judit , Czopf László , Alizadeh Hussain , Rakonczay Zoltán , Vigh Éva , Erőss Bálint , Szemes Kata , Gyöngyi Zoltán 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAutoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a transcription factor that functions as a novel player in immunological investigations. In the thymus, it has a pivotal role in the negative selection of naive T-cells during central tolerance. Experimental studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alters transcription of the AIRE gene. SNPs thereby provide a less efficient negative selection, propagate higher survival of autoimmune T-cells, and elevate susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. To date, only rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been analysed by epidemiological investigations in relation to SNPs in AIRE. In our meta-analysis, we sought to encompass case-control studies and confirm that the association between SNP occurrence and RA. After robust searches of Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, we found 19 articles that included five independent studies. Out of 11 polymorphisms, two (rs2075876, rs760426) were common in the five case-control studies. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis for rs2075876 (7145 cases and 8579 controls) and rs760426 (6696 cases and 8164 controls). Our results prove that rs2075876 and rs760426 are significantly associated with an increased risk of RA in allelic, dominant, recessive, codominant heterozygous, and codominant homozygous genetic models. These findings are primarily based on data from Asian populations.