bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial patterns of soil and ecosystem respiration regulated by biological and environmental variables along a precipitation gradient in semi‐arid grasslands in China
Authors: Xu Wenfang , Li Xianglan , Liu Wei , Li Linghao , Hou Longyu , Shi Huiqiu , Xia Jiangzhou , Liu Dan , Zhang Haicheng , Chen Yang , Cai Wenwen , Fu Yang , Yuan Wenping 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPrecipitation is a key environmental factor in determining ecosystem structure and function. Knowledge of how soil and ecosystem respiration responds to climate change (e.g., precipitation) and human activities (e.g., grazing or clipping) is crucial for assessing the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems and for improving model simulations and predictions of future global carbon (C) cycling in response to human activities. In this study, we examined the spatial patterns of soil and ecosystem respiration along a precipitation gradient from 167.7 to 398.1 mm in a semi‐arid grassland. Our results showed that soil and ecosystem respiration increased linearly with increasing mean annual precipitation. The trends were similar to those of shoot biomass, litter and soil total C content along the precipitation gradient. Our results indicated that precipitation was the primary controlling factor in determining the spatial pattern of soil and ecosystem respiration in semi‐arid grasslands in China. The linear/nonlinear relationships in this study describing the variations of the ecosystem carbon process with precipitation can be useful for model development, parameterization and validation at the regional scale to improve predictions of how carbon processes in grasslands respond to climate change, land use and grassland management.
Phenomenal Intentionality and the Problem of Representation
Authors: OTT WALTER 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT:According to the phenomenal intentionality research program, a state's intentional content is fixed by its phenomenal character. Defenders of this view have little to say about just how this grounding is accomplished. I argue that without a robust account of representation, the research program promises too little. Unfortunately, most of the well-developed accounts of representation—asymmetric dependence, teleosemantics, and the like—ground representation in external relations such as causation. Such accounts are inconsistent with the core of the phenomenal intentionality program. I argue that, however counterintuitive it may seem, the best prospect for explaining how phenomenal character represents is an appeal to resemblance.
Research and Evaluations of the Health Aspects of Disasters, Part VIII: Risk, Risk Reduction, Risk Management, and Capacity Building
Authors: Birnbaum Marvin L. , Loretti Alessandro , Daily Elaine K. , O’Rourke Ann P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThere is a cascade of risks associated with a hazard evolving into a disaster that consists of the risk that: (1) a hazard will produce an event; (2) an event will cause structural damage; (3) structural damage will create functional damages and needs; (4) needs will create an emergency (require use of the local response capacity); and (5) the needs will overwhelm the local response capacity and result in a disaster (ie, the need for outside assistance). Each step along the continuum/cascade can be characterized by its probability of occurrence and the probability of possible consequences of its occurrence, and each risk is dependent upon the preceding occurrence in the progression from a hazard to a disaster. Risk-reduction measures are interventions (actions) that can be implemented to: (1) decrease the risk that a hazard will manifest as an event; (2) decrease the amounts of structural and functional damages that will result from the event; and/or (3) increase the ability to cope with the damage and respond to the needs that result from an event. Capacity building increases the level of resilience by augmenting the absorbing and/or buffering and/or response capacities of a community-at-risk. Risks for some hazards vary by the context in which they exist and by the Societal System(s) involved.BirnbaumML, LorettiA, DailyEK, O’RourkeAP. Research and evaluations of the health aspects of disasters, part VIII: risk, risk reduction, risk management, and capacity building. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(3):300–308.
Preparation and Loading Process of Single Crystalline Samples into a Gas Environmental Cell Holder for In Situ Atomic Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopic Observation
Authors: Straubinger Rainer , Beyer Andreas , Volz Kerstin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA reproducible way to transfer a single crystalline sample into a gas environmental cell holder for in situ transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis is shown in this study. As in situ holders have only single-tilt capability, it is necessary to prepare the sample precisely along a specific zone axis. This can be achieved by a very accurate focused ion beam lift-out preparation. We show a step-by-step procedure to prepare the sample and transfer it into the gas environmental cell. The sample material is a GaP/Ga(NAsP)/GaP multi-quantum well structure on Si. Scanning TEM observations prove that it is possible to achieve atomic resolution at very high temperatures in a nitrogen environment of 100,000 Pa.
Power and Politics in Nineteenth Century Australian Astronomy
Authors: Orchiston Wayne 
Published: March 2016

The period 1850-1910 was a “golden age” in Australian astronomy, with the establishment of professional observatories, substantial growth of popular interest in astronomy, establishment of a network of significant private observatories across the nation, and formation of Australia’s earliest astronomical groups and societies.During this period, amateur astronomers were able to make a significant contribution internationally to positional astronomy. This paper briefly examines amateur-professional relations in Australian astronomy at the time, and the interplay of power and politics.
Statistical Connections among Water Vapor Megamasers
Authors: Wilson A. S. , Braatz J. A. , Henkel C. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe review correlations between water megamaser emission and other properties of AGN. Galaxies detected as water megamaser emitters tend to be nearer, brighter at mid-infrared and possibly centimeter wavelengths, and more highly inclined than undetected galaxies. Only Seyfert 2s and LINERs (no Seyfert Is) are detected. It is argued that the primary parameter determining whether an active galaxy is detectable as an H2O megamaser is the gas column along our line of sight to the nucleus.
SETI from the Moon: Avoiding Radio Pollution for Future Radio-Astronomy
Authors: Heidmann J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBecause of the ever increasing human-made radio frequency interference (RFI), we propose to IAU a Resolution for protecting the well singled out lunar farside 100 km diameter SAHA crater from any future RFI for the scientific benefit of the coming decades high-sensitivity radioastronomy at large. Immediate and pragmatic action is strongly recommended. Our strategy, different from the ones of a recent ITU Recommendation, could increase our bargaining possibilities.
Dynamics of Jupiter’s Atmosphere
Authors: Ingersoll A.P. , Vasavada A.R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractResults from the Galileo probe and orbiter are compared with Voyager and ground-based results. The probe made measurements to the 20-bar level, well below the nominal cloud base at 5 bars and well below the level where sunlight is absorbed. The winds increased with depth within the clouds and then remained constant below cloud base. This rules out most “thin weather layer” models of Jovian meteorology. Water, H2S, and NH3 were depleted relative to “solar” abundances at the nominal cloud base but increased with depth below 10 bars. Apparently the probe entered a dry downdraft that penetrated to 20 bars. Consistent with this result, the orbiter found water varying by factors of 100 from place to place, with the lowest values at the sites that resemble the one where the probe went in. The orbiter also revealed that these sites are regions of horizontal convergence of the cloud top winds, which is consistent with the downdraft hypothesis.
Satellite Atmospheres and Magnetospheres
Authors: Kliore A.J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGalileo radio-occultation measurements show that all four of the Galilean satellites possess ionospheres. Peak ionospheric densities for the icy satellites are several thousand electrons per cubic centimeter, and the distributions are not spherically symmetric. Io’s ionosphere is much denser and remarkably similar to that measured by Voyager.
Highlights From ISO: The Isocam Camera
Authors: Cesarsky Catherine J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractOver one year and a half after its first light in orbit, the ISOCAM camera on board the Infrared Space Observatory is bringing back very exciting results. Its spectacular infrared viewing of the Universe sheds new light on the nature of the interstellar dust, on the birth of young stars embedded in dark clouds as well as on bursts of star formation in external galaxies.
First Results and Discoveries with the ISO Short-Wavelength Spectrometer
Authors: Graauw Thijs De 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe Short-Wavelength Spectrometer(SWS) is one of the four instruments on-board of ESA’s Infrared Space Observatory(ISO), launched on 15 Nov. 1995. It covers the wave-length range of 2.38-45.2μm with a spectral resolution ranging from 1000-2000. An overview is given of the in-orbit performance and a summary of the main scientific results and discoveries obtained in the first 18 months of operation of the ISO-SWS.
Silicon oxycarbide glass-graphene composite paper electrode for long-cycle lithium-ion batteries
Authors: David Lamuel , Bhandavat Romil , Barrera Uriel , Singh Gurpreet 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSilicon and graphene are promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries because of their high theoretical capacity; however, low volumetric energy density, poor efficiency and instability in high loading electrodes limit their practical application. Here we report a large area (approximately 15 cm × 2.5 cm) self-standing anode material consisting of molecular precursor-derived silicon oxycarbide glass particles embedded in a chemically-modified reduced graphene oxide matrix. The porous reduced graphene oxide matrix serves as an effective electron conductor and current collector with a stable mechanical structure, and the amorphous silicon oxycarbide particles cycle lithium-ions with high Coulombic efficiency. The paper electrode (mass loading of 2 mg cm−2) delivers a charge capacity of ∼588 mAh g−1electrode(∼393 mAh cm−3electrode) at 1,020th cycle and shows no evidence of mechanical failure. Elimination of inactive ingredients such as metal current collector and polymeric binder reduces the total electrode weight and may provide the means to produce efficient lightweight batteries.
Genome scale patterns of supercoiling in a bacterial chromosome
Authors: Lal Avantika , Dhar Amlanjyoti , Trostel Andrei , Kouzine Fedor , Seshasayee Aswin S. N. , Adhya Sankar 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDNA in bacterial cells primarily exists in a negatively supercoiled state. The extent of supercoiling differs between regions of the chromosome, changes in response to external conditions and regulates gene expression. Here we report the use of trimethylpsoralen intercalation to map the extent of supercoiling across the Escherichia coli chromosome during exponential and stationary growth phases. We find that stationary phase E. coli cells display a gradient of negative supercoiling, with the terminus being more negatively supercoiled than the origin of replication, and that such a gradient is absent in exponentially growing cells. This stationary phase pattern is correlated with the binding of the nucleoid-associated protein HU, and we show that it is lost in an HU deletion strain. We suggest that HU establishes higher supercoiling near the terminus of the chromosome during stationary phase, whereas during exponential growth DNA gyrase and/or transcription equalizes supercoiling across the chromosome.
Loss of MAX results in meiotic entry in mouse embryonic and germline stem cells
Authors: Suzuki Ayumu , Hirasaki Masataka , Hishida Tomoaki , Wu Jun , Okamura Daiji , Ueda Atsushi , Nishimoto Masazumi , Nakachi Yutaka , Mizuno Yosuke , Okazaki Yasushi , Matsui Yasuhisa , Belmonte Juan Carlos Izpisua , Okuda Akihiko 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMeiosis is a unique process that allows the generation of reproductive cells. It remains largely unknown how meiosis is initiated in germ cells and why non-germline cells do not undergo meiosis. We previously demonstrated that knockdown of Max expression, a gene encoding a partner of MYC family proteins, strongly activates expression of germ cell-related genes in ESCs. Here we find that complete ablation of Max expression in ESCs results in profound cytological changes reminiscent of cells undergoing meiotic cell division. Furthermore, our analyses uncovers that Max expression is transiently attenuated in germ cells undergoing meiosis in vivo and its forced reduction induces meiosis-like cytological changes in cultured germline stem cells. Mechanistically, Max depletion alterations are, in part, due to impairment of the function of an atypical PRC1 complex (PRC1.6), in which MAX is one of the components. Our data highlight MAX as a new regulator of meiotic onset.
Essential role of the TFIID subunit TAF4 in murine embryogenesis and embryonic stem cell differentiation
Authors: Langer Diana , Martianov Igor , Alpern Daniel , Rhinn Muriel , Keime Céline , Dollé Pascal , Mengus Gabrielle , Davidson Irwin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTAF4 (TATA-binding protein-associated factor 4) and its paralogue TAF4b are components of the TFIID core module. We inactivated the murine Taf4a gene to address Taf4 function during embryogenesis. Here we show that Taf4a−/− embryos survive until E9.5 where primary germ layers and many embryonic structures are identified showing Taf4 is dispensable for their specification. In contrast, Taf4 is required for correct patterning of the trunk and anterior structures, ventral morphogenesis and proper heart positioning. Overlapping expression of Taf4a and Taf4b during embryogenesis suggests their redundancy at early stages. In agreement with this, Taf4a−/− embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are viable and comprise Taf4b-containing TFIID. Nevertheless, Taf4a−/− ESCs do not complete differentiation into glutamatergic neurons and cardiomyocytes in vitro due to impaired preinitiation complex formation at the promoters of critical differentiation genes. We define an essential role of a core TFIID TAF in differentiation events during mammalian embryogenesis.
Three-dimensional structural dynamics and fluctuations of DNA-nanogold conjugates by individual-particle electron tomography
Authors: Zhang Lei , Lei Dongsheng , Smith Jessica M. , Zhang Meng , Tong Huimin , Zhang Xing , Lu Zhuoyang , Liu Jiankang , Alivisatos A. Paul , Ren Gang 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDNA base pairing has been used for many years to direct the arrangement of inorganic nanocrystals into small groupings and arrays with tailored optical and electrical properties. The control of DNA-mediated assembly depends crucially on a better understanding of three-dimensional structure of DNA-nanocrystal-hybridized building blocks. Existing techniques do not allow for structural determination of these flexible and heterogeneous samples. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy and negative-staining electron tomography approaches to image, and three-dimensionally reconstruct a single DNA-nanogold conjugate, an 84-bp double-stranded DNA with two 5-nm nanogold particles for potential substrates in plasmon-coupling experiments. By individual-particle electron tomography reconstruction, we obtain 14 density maps at ∼2-nm resolution. Using these maps as constraints, we derive 14 conformations of dsDNA by molecular dynamics simulations. The conformational variation is consistent with that from liquid solution, suggesting that individual-particle electron tomography could be an expected approach to study DNA-assembling and flexible protein structure and dynamics.
A Molecular Chipper technology for CRISPR sgRNA library generation and functional mapping of noncoding regions
Authors: Cheng Jijun , Roden Christine A. , Pan Wen , Zhu Shu , Baccei Anna , Pan Xinghua , Jiang Tingting , Kluger Yuval , Weissman Sherman M. , Guo Shangqin , Flavell Richard A. , Ding Ye , Lu Jun 
Published: March 2016

AbstractClustered regularly-interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based genetic screens using single-guide-RNA (sgRNA) libraries have proven powerful to identify genetic regulators. Applying CRISPR screens to interrogate functional elements in noncoding regions requires generating sgRNA libraries that are densely covering, and ideally inexpensive, easy to implement and flexible for customization. Here we present a Molecular Chipper technology for generating dense sgRNA libraries for genomic regions of interest, and a proof-of-principle screen that identifies novel cis-regulatory domains for miR-142 biogenesis. The Molecular Chipper approach utilizes a combination of random fragmentation and a type III restriction enzyme to derive a densely covering sgRNA library from input DNA. Applying this approach to 17 microRNAs and their flanking regions and with a reporter for miR-142 activity, we identify both the pre-miR-142 region and two previously unrecognized cis-domains important for miR-142 biogenesis, with the latter regulating miR-142 processing. This strategy will be useful for identifying functional noncoding elements in mammalian genomes.
Balanced motor primitive can explain generalization of motor learning effects between unimanual and bimanual movements
Authors: Takiyama Ken , Sakai Yutaka 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMotor learning in unimanual and bimanual planar reaching movements has been intensively investigated. Although distinct theoretical frameworks have been proposed for each of these reaching movements, the relationship between these movements remains unclear. In particular, the generalization of motor learning effects (transfer of learning effects) between unimanual and bimanual movements has yet to be successfully explained. Here, by extending a motor primitive framework, we analytically proved that the motor primitive framework can reproduce the generalization of learning effects between unimanual and bimanual movements if the mean activity of each primitive for unimanual movements is balanced to the mean for bimanual movements. In this balanced condition, the activity of each primitive is consistent with previously reported neuronal activity. The unimanual-bimanual balance leads to the testable prediction that generalization between unimanual and bimanual movements is more widespread to different reaching directions than generalization within respective movements. Furthermore, the balanced motor primitive can reproduce another previously reported phenomenon: the learning of different force fields for unimanual and bimanual movements.
Changes in Gab2 phosphorylation and interaction partners in response to interleukin (IL)-2 stimulation in T-lymphocytes
Authors: Osinalde Nerea , Sánchez-Quiles Virginia , Blagoev Blagoy , Kratchmarova Irina 
Published: March 2016

AbstractInterleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulation results in T-cell growth as a consequence of activation of highly sophisticated and fine-tuned signaling pathways. Despite lacking intrinsic enzymatic activity, scaffold proteins such as Gab2, play a pivotal role in IL-2-triggered signal transduction integrating, diversifying and amplifying the signal by serving as a platform for the assembly of effectors proteins. Traditionally, Gab2-mediated protein recruitment was believed to solely depend on cytokine-induced phosphotyrosine moieties. At present, phosphorylation on serine/threonine residues is also emerging as a key mediator of Gab2-dependent signal regulation. Despite its relevance, IL-2-triggered regulation on Gab2 phosphorylation is yet poorly understood. Combining antibody- and TiO2-based enrichment of the scaffold protein with SILAC quantitative mass spectrometry we disclose the prominent regulation IL-2 exerts on Gab2 serine/threonine phosphorylation by showing that at least 18 serines and 1 threonine, including previously non-reported ones, become phosphorylated in response to cytokine stimulation. Additionally, we decipher the interactome of the docking protein in resting and cytokine-treated T-lymphocytes and besides well-known Gab2 interactors we discover three novel cytokine-inducible Gab2-binding proteins. Thus, our data provide novel insights and a wealth of candidates for future studies that will shed light into the role of Gab2 in IL-2-initiated signal transduction.
Multiplexed Affinity-Based Separation of Proteins and Cells Using Inertial Microfluidics
Authors: Sarkar Aniruddh , Hou Han Wei , Mahan Alison. E. , Han Jongyoon , Alter Galit 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIsolation of low abundance proteins or rare cells from complex mixtures, such as blood, is required for many diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications. Current affinity-based protein or cell separation methods use binary ‘bind-elute’ separations and are inefficient when applied to the isolation of multiple low-abundance proteins or cell types. We present a method for rapid and multiplexed, yet inexpensive, affinity-based isolation of both proteins and cells, using a size-coded mixture of multiple affinity-capture microbeads and an inertial microfluidic particle sorter device. In a single binding step, different targets–cells or proteins–bind to beads of different sizes, which are then sorted by flowing them through a spiral microfluidic channel. This technique performs continuous-flow, high throughput affinity-separation of milligram-scale protein samples or millions of cells in minutes after binding. We demonstrate the simultaneous isolation of multiple antibodies from serum and multiple cell types from peripheral blood mononuclear cells or whole blood. We use the technique to isolate low abundance antibodies specific to different HIV antigens and rare HIV-specific cells from blood obtained from HIV+ patients.
Human cytomegalovirus gH stability and trafficking are regulated by ER-associated degradation and transmembrane architecture
Authors: Gardner Thomas J. , Hernandez Rosmel E. , Noriega Vanessa M. , Tortorella Domenico 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe prototypic betaherpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes life-long persistence within its human host. While benign in healthy individuals, CMV poses a significant threat to the immune compromised, including transplant recipients and neonates. The CMV glycoprotein complex gH/gL/gO mediates infection of fibroblasts and together with the gH/gL/UL128/130/131 a pentameric complex permits infection of epithelial, endothethial and myeloid cells. Given the central role of the gH/gL complex during infection, we were interested in studying cellular trafficking of the gH/gL complex through generation of human cells that stably express gH and gL. When expressed alone, CMV gH and gL were degraded through the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. However, co-expression of these proteins stabilized the polypeptides and enhanced their cell-surface expression. To further define regulatory factors involved in gH/gL trafficking, a CMV gH chimera in which the gH transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail were replaced with that of human CD4 protein permitted cell surface gH expression in absence of gL. We thus demonstrate the ability of distinct cellular processes to regulate the trafficking of viral glycoproteins. Collectively, the data provide insight into the processing and trafficking requirements of CMV envelope protein complexes and provide an example of the co-opting of cellular processes by CMV.