bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inverted electro-mechanical behaviour induced by the irreversible domain configuration transformation in (K,Na)NbO3-based ceramics
Authors: Huan Yu , Wang Xiaohui , Koruza Jurij , Wang Ke , Webber Kyle G. , Hao Yanan , Li Longtu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMiniaturization of domains to the nanometer scale has been previously reported in many piezoelectrics with two-phase coexistence. Despite the observation of nanoscale domain configuration near the polymorphic phase transition (PPT) regionin virgin (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN) based ceramics, it remains unclear how this domain state responds to external loads and influences the macroscopic electro-mechanical properties. To this end, the electric-field-induced and stress-induced strain curves of KNN-based ceramics over a wide compositional range across PPT were characterized. It was found that the coercive field of the virgin samples was highest in PPT region, which was related to the inhibited domain wall motion due to the presence of nanodomains. However, the coercive field was found to be the lowest in the PPT region after electrical poling. This was related to the irreversible transformation of the nanodomains into micron-sized domains during the poling process. With the similar micron-sized domain configuration for all poled ceramics, the domains in the PPT region move more easily due to the additional polarization vectors. The results demonstrate that the poling process can give rise to the irreversible domain configuration transformation and then account for the inverted macroscopic piezoelectricity in the PPT region of KNN-based ceramics.
Effects of soil and topographic factors on vegetation restoration in opencast coal mine dumps located in a loess area
Authors: Wang Jinman , Wang Hongdan , Cao Yingui , Bai Zhongke , Qin Qian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractVegetation plays an important role in improving and restoring fragile ecological environments. In the Antaibao opencast coal mine, located in a loess area, the eco-environment has been substantially disturbed by mining activities, and the relationship between the vegetation and environmental factors is not very clear. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the effects of soil and topographic factors on vegetation restoration to improve the fragile ecosystems of damaged land. An investigation of the soil, topography and vegetation in 50 reclamation sample plots in Shanxi Pingshuo Antaibao opencast coal mine dumps was performed. Statistical analyses in this study included one-way ANOVA and significance testing using SPSS 20.0, and multivariate techniques of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) using CANOCO 4.5. The RDA revealed the environmental factors that affected vegetation restoration. Various vegetation and soil variables were significantly correlated. The available K and rock content were good explanatory variables, and they were positively correlated with tree volume. The effects of the soil factors on vegetation restoration were higher than those of the topographic factors.
BPOZ-2 Gene Delivery Ameliorates Alpha-Synucleinopathy in A53T Transgenic Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Roy Avik , Rangasamy Suresh Babu , Kundu Madhuchhanda , Pahan Kalipada 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAnkyrin-rich BTB/POZ domain containing protein-2 or BPOZ-2, a scaffold protein, has been recently shown to control the degradation of many biological proteins ranging from embryonic development to tumor progression. However, its role in the process of neuronal diseases has not been properly explored. Since, abnormal clearance of metabolic proteins contributes to the development of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) pathologies in Parkinson’s disease (PD), we are interested to explore if BPOZ-2 participates in the amelioration of α-syn in vivo in basal ganglia. Here we report that lentiviral administration of bpoz-2 gene indeed lowers the burden of α-syn in DA neurons in the nigra of A53T transgenic (A53T-Tg) mouse. Our detailed immunological analyses have shown that the overexpression of bpoz-2 dramatically improves both somatic and neuritic α-syn pathologies in the nigral DA neurons. Similarly, the specific ablation of bpoz-2 by lentiviral-shRNA stimulates the load of monomeric and polymeric forms of α-syn in the nigral DA neurons of A53T-Tg. While investigating the mechanism, we observed that BPOZ-2 was involved in a protein-protein association with PINK1 and therefore could stimulate PINK1-dependent autophagic clearance of α-syn. Our results have demonstrated that bpoz-2 gene delivery could have prospect in the amelioration of alpha-synucleinopathy in PD and other Lewy body diseases.
Coherent Nonlinear Optical Response Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in MoSe2 Nano-Sheets
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Wu Yanling , Wu Qiong , Hua Jiaojiao , Zhao Jimin 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are drawing increasing interest due to their relatively high carrier mobilities, valley pseudospins and gapped electronic structures, which all indicate interesting nonlinear optical properties of these 2D materials. However, such nonlinear optical properties are so far less investigated and their correlation with the electronic structure of the material is rarely probed. In this work, we have systematically investigated the spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) of MoSe2 flakes in a suspension form, which is a coherent third-order nonlinear optical effect. The nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) and its wavelength-dependence are measured, yielding a value of 1.1 × 10−9 e.s.u. (SI: 1.53 × 10−17 m2/V2) at 532 nm laser excitation for effective one-layer MoSe2.
Evidence for genetic association of TBX21 and IFNG with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Leng Rui-Xue , Pan Hai-Feng , Liu Juan , Yang Xiao-Ke , Zhang Chao , Tao Sha-Sha , Wang De-Guang , Li Xiao-Mei , Li Xiang-Pei , Yang Wanling , Ye Dong-Qing 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTBX21 recode T-bet which is an important transcription factor that drives the Th1 immune response primarily by promoting expression of the interferon-gamma (IFNG) gene. Recent studies have shown that genetic variants in TBX21 and IFNG are connected with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the present study was to replicate these genetic associations with SLE in Anhui Chinese population. Genotyping of 3 variants (rs4794067 in TBX21, rs2069705 and rs2069718 in IFNG) was performed. A total of 3732 subjects were included in the final analysis. The study only identified the association of rs2069705 with SLE susceptibility (T vs. C: odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.26, P = 0.046). Combined analysis with Hong Kong GWAS showed that the OR for rs2069705 was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01–1.21, P = 0.027). Further pooled analysis with Korean populations involving 10498 subjects showed a more significant association between rs2069705 and SLE (T vs. C: OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.04–1.19, P = 0.002; TT + TC vs. CC: OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.02–1.21, P = 0.012; TT vs. TC + CC: OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.07–1.54, P = 0.008; TT vs. CC: OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.10–1.60, P = 0.003). In addition, we also identified a significant genetic interaction between rs2069705 and rs4794067 in Anhui Chinese population. Our study suggests that IFNG and IFNG-TBX21 interaction are involved in SLE susceptibility.
Mass vaccination, immunity and coverage: modelling population protection against foot-and-mouth disease in Turkish cattle
Authors: Knight-Jones T. J. D. , Gubbins S. , Bulut A. N. , Stärk K. D. C. , Pfeiffer D. U. , Sumption K. J. , Paton D. J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Turkey is controlled using biannual mass vaccination of cattle. However, vaccine protection is undermined by population turnover and declining immunity. A dynamic model of the Turkish cattle population was created. Assuming biannual mass vaccination with a single-dose primary course, vaccine history was calculated for the simulated population (number of doses and time since last vaccination). This was used to estimate population immunity. Six months after the last round of vaccination almost half the cattle aged <24 months remain unvaccinated. Only 50% of all cattle would have received >1 vaccine dose in their life with the last dose given ≤6 months ago. Five months after the last round of vaccination two-thirds of cattle would have low antibody titres (<70% protection threshold). Giving a two-dose primary vaccination course reduces the proportion of 6–12 month old cattle with low titres by 20–30%. Biannual mass vaccination of cattle leaves significant immunity gaps and over-reliance on vaccine protection should be avoided. Using more effective vaccines and vaccination strategies will increase population immunity, however, the extent to which FMD can be controlled by vaccination alone without effective biosecurity remains uncertain.
The Macrophage-depleting Agent Clodronate Promotes Durable Hematopoietic Chimerism and Donor-specific Skin Allograft Tolerance in Mice
Authors: Li Zhanzhuo , Xu Xin , Feng Xingmin , Murphy Philip M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHematopoietic chimerism is known to promote donor-specific organ allograft tolerance; however, clinical translation has been impeded by the requirement for toxic immunosuppression and large doses of donor bone marrow (BM) cells. Here, we investigated in mice whether durable chimerism might be enhanced by pre-treatment of the recipient with liposomal clodronate, a macrophage depleting agent, with the goal of vacating BM niches for preferential reoccupation by donor hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). We found that liposomal clodronate pretreatment of C57BL/6 mice permitted establishment of durable hematopoietic chimerism when the mice were given a low dose of donor BM cells and transient immunosuppression. Moreover, clodronate pre-treatment increased durable donor-specific BALB/c skin allograft tolerance. These results provide proof-of-principle that clodronate is effective at sparing the number of donor BM cells required to achieve durable hematopoietic chimerism and donor-specific skin allograft tolerance and justify further development of a tolerance protocol based on this principle.
Role of Excessive Autophagy Induced by Mechanical Overload in Vein Graft Neointima Formation: Prediction and Prevention
Authors: Chang Ya-Ju , Huang Hui-Chun , Hsueh Yuan-Yu , Wang Shao-Wei , Su Fong-Chin , Chang Chih-Han , Tang Ming-Jer , Li Yi-Shuan , Wang Shyh-Hau , Shung Kirk K. , Chien Shu , Wu Chia-Ching 
Published: February 2016

AbstractLittle is known regarding the interplays between the mechanical and molecular bases for vein graft restenosis. We elucidated the stenosis initiation using a high-frequency ultrasonic (HFU) echogenicity platform and estimated the endothelium yield stress from von-Mises stress computation to predict the damage locations in living rats over time. The venous-arterial transition induced the molecular cascades for autophagy and apoptosis in venous endothelial cells (ECs) to cause neointimal hyperplasia, which correlated with the high echogenicity in HFU images and the large mechanical stress that exceeded the yield strength. The ex vivo perfusion of arterial laminar shear stress to isolated veins further confirmed the correlation. EC damage can be rescued by inhibiting autophagy formation using 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Pretreatment of veins with 3-MA prior to grafting reduced the pathological increases of echogenicity and neointima formation in rats. Therefore, this platform provides non-invasive temporal spatial measurement and prediction of restenosis after venous-arterial transition as well as monitoring the progression of the treatments.
Creation of Electron-doping Liquid Water with Reduced Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Chien , Mai Fu-Der , Hwang Bing-Joe , Lee Ming-Jer , Chen Ching-Hsiang , Wang Shwu-Huey , Tsai Hui-Yen , Yang Chih-Ping , Liu Yu-Chuan 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe strength of hydrogen bond (HB) decides water’s property and activity. Here we propose the mechanisms on creation and persistence of innovatively prepared liquid water, which is treated by Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) under resonant illumination of green-light emitting diode (LED) to create Au NP-treated (sAuNT) water, with weak HB at room temperature. Hot electron transfer on resonantly illuminated AuNPs, which is confirmed from Au LIII-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra, is responsible for the creation of negatively charged sAuNT water with the incorporated energy-reduced hot electron. This unique electronic feature makes it stable at least for one week. Compared to deionized (DI) water, the resulting sAuNT water exhibits many distinct properties at room temperature. Examples are its higher activity revealed from its higher vapor pressure and lower specific heat. Furthermore, Mpemba effect can be successfully explained by our purposed hypothesis based on sAuNT water-derived idea of water energy and HB.
Hyper-active non-homologous end joining selects for synthetic lethality resistant and pathological Fanconi anemia hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Du Wei , Amarachintha Surya , Wilson Andrew F. , Pang Qishen 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe prominent role of Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins involves homologous recombination (HR) repair. Poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase1 (PARP1) functions in multiple cellular processes including DNA repair and PARP inhibition is an emerging targeted therapy for cancer patients deficient in HR. Here we show that PARP1 activation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in response to genotoxic or oxidative stress attenuates HSPC exhaustion. Mechanistically, PARP1 controls the balance between HR and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) in double strand break (DSB) repair by preventing excessive NHEJ. Disruption of the FA core complex skews PARP1 function in DSB repair and led to hyper-active NHEJ in Fanca−/− or Fancc−/− HSPCs. Re-expression of PARP1 rescues the hyper-active NHEJ phenotype in Brca1−/−Parp1−/− but less effective in Fanca−/−Parp1−/− cells. Inhibition of NHEJ prevents myeloid/erythroid pathologies associated with synthetic lethality. Our results suggest that hyper-active NHEJ may select for “synthetic lethality” resistant and pathological HSPCs.
Carbon Redox-Polymer-Gel Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Vlad A. , Singh N. , Melinte S. , Gohy J.-F. , Ajayan P.M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractEnergy storage devices that provide high specific power without compromising on specific energy are highly desirable for many electric-powered applications. Here, we demonstrate that polymer organic radical gel materials support fast bulk-redox charge storage, commensurate to surface double layer ion exchange at carbon electrodes. When integrated with a carbon-based electrical double layer capacitor, nearly ideal electrode properties such as high electrical and ionic conductivity, fast bulk redox and surface charge storage as well as excellent cycling stability are attained. Such hybrid carbon redox-polymer-gel electrodes support unprecedented discharge rate of 1,000C with 50% of the nominal capacity delivered in less than 2 seconds. Devices made with such electrodes hold the potential for battery-scale energy storage while attaining supercapacitor-like power performances.
Carbon nanotube intramolecular p-i-n junction diodes with symmetric and asymmetric contacts
Authors: Chen Changxin , Liao Chenghao , Wei Liangming , Zhong Hanqing , He Rong , Liu Qinran , Liu Xiaodong , Lai Yunfeng , Song Chuanjuan , Jin Tiening , Zhang Yafei 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA p-i-n junction diode based on the selectively doped single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) had been investigated, in which two opposite ends of individual SWCNT channel were doped into the p- and n-type SWCNT respectively while the middle segment of SWCNT was kept as the intrinsic. The symmetric and asymmetric contacts were used to fabricate the p-i-n junction diodes respectively and studied the effect of the contact on the device characteristics. It was shown that a low reverse saturation current of ~20 pA could be achieved by these both diodes. We found that the use of the asymmetric contact can effectively improve the performance of the p-i-n diode, with the rectification ratio enhanced from ~102 for the device with the Au/Au symmetric contact to >103 for the one with the Pd/Al asymmetric contact. The improvement of the device performance by the asymmetric-contact structure was attributed to the decrease of the effective Schottky-barrier height at the contacts under forward bias, increasing the forward current of the diode. The p-i-n diode with asymmetric contact also had a higher rectification ratio than its counterpart before doping the SWCNT channel, which is because that the p-i-n junction in the device decreased the reverse saturated current.
Deubiquitinase MYSM1 Is Essential for Normal Bone Formation and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Li Ping , Yang Yan-Mei , Sanchez Suzi , Cui Dian-Chao , Dang Rui-Jie , Wang Xiao-Yan , Lin Qiu-Xia , Wang Yan , Wang Changyong , Chen Da-Fu , Chen Si-Yi , Jiang Xiao-Xia , Wen Ning 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDeubiquitinase MYSM1 has been shown to play a critical role in hematopoietic cell differentiation and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells within the bone marrow. MSCs are progenitors to osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and myocytes. Although, MSCs have been extensively studied, the roles of MYSM1 in these cells remain unclear. Here we describe the function of MYSM1 on MSC maintenance and differentiation. In this report, we found that Mysm1−/− mice had a lower bone mass both in long bone and calvaria compared with their control counterpart. Preosteoblasts from Mysm1−/− mice did not show changes in proliferation or osteogenesis when compared to WT mice. Conversely, Mysm1−/− MSCs showed enhanced autonomous differentiation and accelerated adipogenesis. Our results demonstrate that MYSM1 plays a critical role in MSC maintenance and differentiation. This study also underscores the biological significance of deubiquitinase activity in MSC function. Mysm1 may represent a potential therapeutic target for controlling MSC lineage differentiation, and possibly for the treatment of metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
A new strategy to express the extracellular α-amylase from Pyrococcus furiosus in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Authors: Wang Ping , Wang Peili , Tian Jian , Yu Xiaoxia , Chang Meihui , Chu Xiaoyu , Wu Ningfeng 
Published: February 2016

AbstractExtracellular α-amylase from Pyrococcus furiosus (PFA) shows great starch-processing potential for industrial application due to its thermostability, long half-life and optimal activity at low pH; however, it is difficult to produce in large quantities. In contrast, α-amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAA) can be produced in larger quantities, but shows lower stability at high temperatures and low pH. Here, we describe a BAA protein expression pattern-mimicking strategy to express PFA in B. amyloliquefaciens using the expression and secretion elements of BAA, including the codon usage bias and mRNA structure of gene, promoter, signal peptide, host and cultivation conditions. This design was assessed to be successful by comparing the various genes (mpfa and opfa), promoters (PamyA and P43) and strains (F30, F31, F32 and F30-∆amyA). The final production of PFA yielded 2714 U/mL, about 3000- and 14-fold that reportedly produced in B. subtilis or E. coli, respectively. The recombinant PFA was optimally active at ~100 °C and pH 5 and did not require Ca2+ for activity or thermostability and >80% of the enzyme activity was retained after treatment at 100 °C for 4 h.
A flexible and biocompatible triboelectric nanogenerator with tunable internal resistance for powering wearable devices
Authors: Zhu Yanbo , Yang Bin , Liu Jingquan , Wang Xingzhao , Wang Luxian , Chen Xiang , Yang Chunsheng 
Published: February 2016

AbstractRecently, triboelectric energy nanogenerators (TENGs) have been paid the most attention by many researchers to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. TENGs usually have a simple structure and a high output voltage. However, their high internal resistance results in low output power. In this work, we propose a flexible triboelectric energy nanogenerator with the double-side tribological layers of polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) and PDMS/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT). MWCNTs with different concentrations have been doped into PDMS to tune the internal resistance of triboelectric nanogenerator and optimize its output power. The dimension of the fabricated prototype is ~3.6 cm3. Three-axial force sensor is used to monitor the applied vertical forces on the device under vertical contact-separation working mode. The Prototype with 10 wt% MWCNT (Prototype I) produces higher output voltage than one with 2 wt% MWCNT (Prototype II) due to its higher dielectric parameter measured by LRC impedance analyzer. The triboelectric output voltages of Prototype I and Prototype II are 30 V and 25 V under the vertical force of 3.0 N, respectively. Their maximum triboelectric output powers are ~130 μW at 6 MΩ and ~120 μW at 8.6 MΩ under vertical forces, respectively.
Combinatorial phenotypic screen uncovers unrecognized family of extended thiourea inhibitors with copper-dependent anti-staphylococcal activity
Authors: Dalecki Alex G , Malalasekera Aruni P , Schaaf Kaitlyn , Kutsch Olaf , Bossmann Stefan H , Wolschendorf Frank 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
The continuous rise of multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria has become a significant challenge for the health care system. In particular, novel drugs to treat infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA) are needed, but traditional drug discovery campaigns have largely failed to deliver clinically suitable antibiotics. More than simply new drugs, new drug discovery approaches are needed to combat bacterial resistance. The recently described phenomenon of copper-dependent inhibitors has galvanized research exploring the use of metal-coordinating molecules to harness copper’s natural antibacterial properties for therapeutic purposes. Here, we describe the results of the first concerted screening effort to identify copper-dependent inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus. A standard library of 10 000 compounds was assayed for anti-staphylococcal activity, with hits defined as those compounds with a strict copper-dependent inhibitory activity. A total of 53 copper-dependent hit molecules were uncovered, similar to the copper independent hit rate of a traditionally executed campaign conducted in parallel on the same library. Most prominent was a hit family with an extended thiourea core structure, termed the NNSN motif. This motif resulted in copper-dependent and copper-specific S. aureus inhibition, while simultaneously being well tolerated by eukaryotic cells. Importantly, we could demonstrate that copper binding by the NNSN motif is highly unusual and likely responsible for the promising biological qualities of these compounds. A subsequent chemoinformatic meta-analysis of the ChEMBL chemical database confirmed the NNSNs as an unrecognized staphylococcal inhibitor, despite the family’s presence in many chemical screening libraries. Thus, our copper-biased screen has proven able to discover inhibitors within previously screened libraries, offering a mechanism to reinvigorate exhausted molecular collections.