bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observation of Weyl nodes and Fermi arcs in tantalum phosphide
Authors: Xu N. , Weng H. M. , Lv B. Q. , Matt C. E. , Park J. , Bisti F. , Strocov V. N. , Gawryluk D. , Pomjakushina E. , Conder K. , Plumb N. C. , Radovic M. , Autès G. , Yazyev O. V. , Fang Z. , Dai X. , Qian T. , Mesot J. , Ding H. , Shi M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA Weyl semimetal possesses spin-polarized band-crossings, called Weyl nodes, connected by topological surface arcs. The low-energy excitations near the crossing points behave the same as massless Weyl fermions, leading to exotic properties like chiral anomaly. To have the transport properties dominated by Weyl fermions, Weyl nodes need to locate nearly at the chemical potential and enclosed by pairs of individual Fermi surfaces with non-zero Fermi Chern numbers. Combining angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculation, here we show that TaP is a Weyl semimetal with only a single type of Weyl fermions, topologically distinguished from TaAs where two types of Weyl fermions contribute to the low-energy physical properties. The simple Weyl fermions in TaP are not only of fundamental interests but also of great potential for future applications. Fermi arcs on the Ta-terminated surface are observed, which appear in a different pattern from that on the As-termination in TaAs and NbAs.
VCP and ATL1 regulate endoplasmic reticulum and protein synthesis for dendritic spine formation
Authors: Shih Yu-Tzu , Hsueh Yi-Ping 
Published: March 2016

AbstractImbalanced protein homeostasis, such as excessive protein synthesis and protein aggregation, is a pathogenic hallmark of a range of neurological disorders. Here, using expression of mutant proteins, a knockdown approach and disease mutation knockin mice, we show that VCP (valosin-containing protein), together with its cofactor P47 and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology regulator ATL1 (Atlastin-1), regulates tubular ER formation and influences the efficiency of protein synthesis to control dendritic spine formation in neurons. Strengthening the significance of protein synthesis in dendritic spinogenesis, the translation blocker cyclohexamide and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin reduce dendritic spine density, while a leucine supplement that increases protein synthesis ameliorates the dendritic spine defects caused by Vcp and Atl1 deficiencies. Because VCP and ATL1 are the causative genes of several neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, we suggest that impaired ER formation and inefficient protein synthesis are significant in the pathogenesis of multiple neurological disorders.
Semiconductor-inspired design principles for superconducting quantum computing
Authors: Shim Yun-Pil , Tahan Charles 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSuperconducting circuits offer tremendous design flexibility in the quantum regime culminating most recently in the demonstration of few qubit systems supposedly approaching the threshold for fault-tolerant quantum information processing. Competition in the solid-state comes from semiconductor qubits, where nature has bestowed some very useful properties which can be utilized for spin qubit-based quantum computing. Here we begin to explore how selective design principles deduced from spin-based systems could be used to advance superconducting qubit science. We take an initial step along this path proposing an encoded qubit approach realizable with state-of-the-art tunable Josephson junction qubits. Our results show that this design philosophy holds promise, enables microwave-free control, and offers a pathway to future qubit designs with new capabilities such as with higher fidelity or, perhaps, operation at higher temperature. The approach is also especially suited to qubits on the basis of variable super-semi junctions.
Precision wildlife monitoring using unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Hodgson Jarrod C. , Baylis Shane M. , Mott Rowan , Herrod Ashley , Clarke Rohan H. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represent a new frontier in environmental research. Their use has the potential to revolutionise the field if they prove capable of improving data quality or the ease with which data are collected beyond traditional methods. We apply UAV technology to wildlife monitoring in tropical and polar environments and demonstrate that UAV-derived counts of colony nesting birds are an order of magnitude more precise than traditional ground counts. The increased count precision afforded by UAVs, along with their ability to survey hard-to-reach populations and places, will likely drive many wildlife monitoring projects that rely on population counts to transition from traditional methods to UAV technology. Careful consideration will be required to ensure the coherence of historic data sets with new UAV-derived data and we propose a method for determining the number of duplicated (concurrent UAV and ground counts) sampling points needed to achieve data compatibility.
Broadband Tunability of Polarization-Insensitive Absorber Based on Frequency Selective Surface
Authors: Wang Han , Kong Peng , Cheng Wentao , Bao Wenzong , Yu Xiaowei , Miao Ling , Jiang Jianjun 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAn innovative tunable and polarization-insensitive 1.6–8 GHz frequency selective surface (FSS) absorber was investigated in this study. The proposed FSS, which is in 4-axial symmetrical form, includes a novel array of PIN diodes with biasing lines including inductors. A gradually reduced equivalent resistor of PIN diodes can be achieved with increasing DC voltage, which characterizes tunable, multi-resonance absorption peaks. Via this simplified design, small value resistor and equivalent capacitance of the gap between patterns can improve the absorber’s performance in low frequencies; an active tunable absorber can be realized in a broad frequency range by employing adjustable devices. Changing the working state of the PIN diode allows the user to obtain strong absorption within the desired frequency. We analyzed the performance of the proposed absorber and found that it indeed shows very favorable absorption performance in low frequency (−10 dB in 1.6−4.3 GHz) and wideband (−8 dB in 4.3−5.4 GHz and −10 dB in 5.4−8.0 GHz) conditions. Calculation and simulation results also illustrated that the absorber is entirely polarization-insensitive.
Functionally different α-synuclein inclusions yield insight into Parkinson’s disease pathology
Authors: Raiss Christian C. , Braun Theresa S. , Konings Irene B. M. , Grabmayr Heinrich , Hassink Gerco C. , Sidhu Arshdeep , le Feber Joost , Bausch Andreas R. , Jansen Casper , Subramaniam Vinod , Claessens Mireille M. A. E. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe formation of α-synuclein (α-S) amyloid aggregates, called Lewy bodies (LBs), is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The function of LBs in the disease process is however still unclear; they have been associated with both neuroprotection and toxicity. To obtain insight into this contradiction, we induced the formation of α-S inclusions, using three different induction methods in SH-SY5Y cells and rat-derived primary neuronal cells. Using confocal and STED microscopy we observed induction-dependent differences in α-S inclusion morphology, location and function. The aggregation of α-S in functionally different compartments correlates with the toxicity of the induction method measured in viability assays. The most cytotoxic treatment largely correlates with the formation of proteasome-associated, juxta-nuclear inclusions. With less toxic methods cytosolic deposits that are not associated with the proteasome are more prevalent. The distribution of α-S over at least two different types of inclusions is not limited to cell models, but is also observed in primary neuronal cells and in human mesencephalon. The existence of functionally different LBs,in vivoandin vitro, gives important insights in the impact of Lewy Body formation on neuronal functioning and may thereby provide a platform for discovering therapeutics.
Tunable Lattice Coupling of Multipole Plasmon Modes and Near-Field Enhancement in Closely Spaced Gold Nanorod Arrays
Authors: Huang Yu , Zhang Xian , Ringe Emilie , Hou Mengjing , Ma Lingwei , Zhang Zhengjun 
Published: March 2016

AbstractConsidering the nanogap and lattice effects, there is an attractive structure in plasmonics: closely spaced metallic nanoarrays. In this work, we demonstrate experimentally and theoretically the lattice coupling of multipole plasmon modes for closely spaced gold nanorod arrays, offering a new insight into the higher order cavity modes coupled with each other in the lattice. The resonances can be greatly tuned by changes in inter-rod gaps and nanorod heights while the influence of the nanorod diameter is relatively insignificant. Experimentally, pronounced suppressions of the reflectance are observed. Meanwhile, the near-field enhancement can be further enhanced, as demonstrated through surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We then confirm the correlation between the near-field and far-field plasmonic responses, which is significantly important for maximizing the near-field enhancement at a specific excitation wavelength. This lattice coupling of multipole plasmon modes is of broad interest not only for SERS but also for other plasmonic applications, such as subwavelength imaging or metamaterials.
Far-red/near-infrared fluorescence light-up probes for specific in vitro and in vivo imaging of a tumour-related protein
Authors: Chen Chao , Hua Yongquan , Hu Yawen , Fang Yuan , Ji Shenglu , Yang Zhimou , Ou Caiwen , Kong Deling , Ding Dan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAs lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) is an important biomarker for many solid tumours, development of small-molecule fluorescence light-up probes for detection and imaging of LAPTM4B proteins is particularly valuable. In this work, we reported the design and synthesis of a far-red/near-infrared (FR/NIR) fluorescence light-up probe DBT-2EEGIHGHHIISVG, which could specifically visualize LAPTM4B proteins in cancer cells and tumour-bearing live mice. DBT-2EEGIHGHHIISVG was synthesized by the conjugation of two LAPTM4B-binding peptide ligands (EEGIHGHHIISVG) with one environment-sensitive fluorogen, 4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (DBT). Owing to the intramolecular charge transfer character of DBT, DBT-2EEGIHGHHIISVG is weakly emissive in aqueous solution, but switches to fluoresce upon LAPTM4B proteins specifically bind to the peptide ligand of the probe, which provide the DBT with hydrophobic microenvironment, greatly reducing its charge transfer effect with water. It is found that DBT-2EEGIHGHHIISVG can achieve targeted imaging of LAPTM4B proteins in HepG2 cancer cells and visualize LAPTM4B protein-expressed tumour tissues of live mice in a selective and high-contrast manner.
Polymorphism rs7278468 is associated with Age-related cataract through decreasing transcriptional activity of the CRYAA promoter
Authors: Ma Xiaoyin , Jiao Xiaodong , Ma Zhiwei , Hejtmancik J. Fielding 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCRYAA plays critical functional roles in lens transparency and opacity and polymorphisms near CRYAA have been associated with age-related cataract (ARC). This study examines polymorphisms in the CRYAA promoter region for association with ARC and elucidates the mechanisms of this association. Three SNPs nominally associated with ARC were identified in the promoter region of CRYAA: rs3761382 (P = 0.06, OR (Odds ratio) = 1.5), rs13053109 (P = 0.04, OR = 1.6), rs7278468 (P = 0.007, OR = 0.6). The C-G-T haplotype increased the risk for ARC overall (P = 0.005, OR = 1.8) and both alleles and haplotypes show a stronger association with cortical cataract (rs3761382, P = 0.002, OR = 2.1; rs13053109, P = 0.002, OR = 2.1; rs7278468, P = 0.0007, OR = 0.5; C-G-T haplotype, P = 0.0003, OR = 2.2). The C-G-T risk haplotype decreased transcriptional activity through rs7278468, which lies in a consensus binding site for the transcription repressor KLF10. KLF10 binding inhibited CRYAA transcription and both binding and inhibition were greater with the T rs7278468 allele. Knockdown of KLF10 in HLE cells partially rescued the transcriptional activity of CRYAA with rs7278468 T allele, but did not affect activity with the G allele. Thus, our data suggest that the T allele of rs7278468 in the CRYAA promoter is associated with ARC through increasing binding of KLF-10 and thus decreasing CRYAA transcription.
Associations of functional alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 gene variants with atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke
Authors: Seppälä Ilkka , Kleber Marcus E. , Bevan Steve , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Oksala Niku , Hernesniemi Jussi A. , Mäkelä Kari-Matti , Rothwell Peter M. , Sudlow Cathie , Dichgans Martin , Mononen Nina , Vlachopoulou Efthymia , Sinisalo Juha , Delgado Graciela E. , Laaksonen Reijo , Koskinen Tuomas , Scharnagl Hubert , Kähönen Mika , Markus Hugh S. , März Winfried , Lehtimäki Terho 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAsymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginines (ADMA and SDMA) impair nitric oxide bioavailability and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Alanine–glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGXT2) is the only enzyme capable of metabolizing both of the dimethylarginines. We hypothesized that two functional AGXT2 missense variants (rs37369, V140I; rs16899974, V498L) are associated with AF and its cardioembolic complications. Association analyses were conducted using 1,834 individulas with AF and 7,159 unaffected individuals from two coronary angiography cohorts and a cohort comprising patients undergoing clinical exercise testing. In coronary angiography patients without structural heart disease, the minor A allele of rs16899974 was associated with any AF (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.59-2.68) and with paroxysmal AF (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.44–2.74) and chronic AF (OR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.35–3.06) separately. We could not replicate the association with AF in the other two cohorts. However, the A allele of rs16899974 was nominally associated with ischemic stroke risk in the meta-analysis of WTCCC2 ischemic stroke cohorts (3,548 cases, 5,972 controls) and with earlier onset of first-ever ischemic stroke (360 cases) in the cohort of clinical exercise test patients. In conclusion, AGXT2 variations may be involved in the pathogenesis of AF and its age-related thromboembolic complications.
A new Bi-based visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst BiLa1.4Ca0.6O4.2: crystal structure, optical property and photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zhong WenWu , Lou YanFang , Jin ShiFeng , Wang WenJun , Guo LiWei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA new compound of BiLa1.4Ca0.6O4.2 is synthesized through solid state reaction, where the Ca substitutes, in part, the La site in a stable BiLa2O4.5 phase. The structure of the BiLa1.4Ca0.6O4.2 crystallizes in space group R3mH with a hexagonal lattice constants of a = 3.893(1) Å, c = 9.891(1) Å. Its optical absorption edge is about 2.05 eV, which just spans the visible light region. The photocatalytic activity of the BiLa1.4Ca0.6O4.2 powder to degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation is measured and improved more than 7 times by annealing in nitrogen ambient, indicating that annealing in nitrogen can effectively improve the photocatalytic activity by producing oxygen vacancy. Although the absolute photocatalytic activity obtained is low, there is great potential for enhancing the activity such as nanoscaling, doping and coupling with other compounds.
Micheliolide inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response and protects mice from LPS challenge
Authors: Qin Xiangyang , Jiang Xinru , Jiang Xin , Wang Yuli , Miao Zhulei , He Weigang , Yang Guizhen , Lv Zhenhui , Yu Yizhi , Zheng Yuejuan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSepsis is the principal cause of fatality in the intensive care units worldwide. It involves uncontrolled inflammatory response resulting in multi-organ failure and even death. Micheliolide (MCL), a sesquiterpene lactone, was reported to inhibit dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced inflammatory intestinal disease, colitis-associated cancer and rheumatic arthritis. Nevertheless, the role of MCL in microbial infection and sepsis is unclear. We demonstrated that MCL decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS, the main cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria)-mediated production of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, etc) in Raw264.7 cells, primary macrophages, dendritic cells and human monocytes. MCL plays an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/p70S6K pathways. It has negligible impact on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. In the acute peritonitis mouse model, MCL reduced the secretion of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, IFN-β and IL-10 in sera and ameliorated lung and liver damage. MCL down-regulated the high mortality rate caused by lethal LPS challenge. Collectively, our data illustrated that MCL enabled maintenance of immune equilibrium may represent a potentially new anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug candidate in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock.
Spontaneous Formation of Eutectic Crystal Structures in Binary and Ternary Charged Colloids due to Depletion Attraction
Authors: Toyotama Akiko , Okuzono Tohru , Yamanaka Junpei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCrystallization of colloids has extensively been studied for past few decades as models to study phase transition in general. Recently, complex crystal structures in multi-component colloids, including alloy and eutectic structures, have attracted considerable attention. However, the fabrication of 2D area-filling colloidal eutectics has not been reported till date. Here, we report formation of eutectic structures in binary and ternary aqueous colloids due to depletion attraction. We used charged particles + linear polyelectrolyte systems, in which the interparticle interaction could be represented as a sum of the electrostatic, depletion and van der Waals forces. The interaction was tunable at a lengthscale accessible to direct observation by optical microscopy. The eutectic structures were formed because of interplay of crystallization of constituent components and accompanying fractionation. An observed binary phase diagram, defined by a mixing ratio and inverse area fraction of the particles, was analogous to that for atomic and molecular eutectic systems. This new method also allows the adjustment of both the number and wavelengths of Bragg diffraction peaks. Furthermore, these eutectic structures could be immobilized in polymer gel to produce self-standing materials. The present findings will be useful in the design of the optical properties of colloidal crystals.
Complex responses of spring vegetation growth to climate in a moisture-limited alpine meadow
Authors: Ganjurjav Hasbagan , Gao Qingzhu , Schwartz Mark W. , Zhu Wenquan , Liang Yan , Li Yue , Wan Yunfan , Cao Xujuan , Williamson Matthew A. , Jiangcun Wangzha , Guo Hongbao , Lin Erda 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSince 2000, the phenology has advanced in some years and at some locations on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, whereas it has been delayed in others. To understand the variations in spring vegetation growth in response to climate, we conducted both regional and experimental studies on the central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We used the normalized difference vegetation index to identify correlations between climate and phenological greening, and found that greening correlated negatively with winter-spring time precipitation, but not with temperature. We used open top chambers to induce warming in an alpine meadow ecosystem from 2012 to 2014. Our results showed that in the early growing season, plant growth (represented by the net ecosystem CO2 exchange, NEE) was lower in the warmed plots than in the control plots. Late-season plant growth increased with warming relative to that under control conditions. These data suggest that the response of plant growth to warming is complex and non-intuitive in this system. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that moisture limitation increases in early spring as temperature increases. The effects of moisture limitation on plant growth with increasing temperatures will have important ramifications for grazers in this system.
Thermal niche estimators and the capability of poor dispersal species to cope with climate change
Authors: Sánchez-Fernández David , Rizzo Valeria , Cieslak Alexandra , Faille Arnaud , Fresneda Javier , Ribera Ignacio 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFor management strategies in the context of global warming, accurate predictions of species response are mandatory. However, to date most predictions are based on niche (bioclimatic) models that usually overlook biotic interactions, behavioral adjustments or adaptive evolution and assume that species can disperse freely without constraints. The deep subterranean environment minimises these uncertainties, as it is simple, homogeneous and with constant environmental conditions. It is thus an ideal model system to study the effect of global change in species with poor dispersal capabilities. We assess the potential fate of a lineage of troglobitic beetles under global change predictions using different approaches to estimate their thermal niche: bioclimatic models, rates of thermal niche change estimated from a molecular phylogeny and data from physiological studies. Using bioclimatic models, at most 60% of the species were predicted to have suitable conditions in 2080. Considering the rates of thermal niche change did not improve this prediction. However, physiological data suggest that subterranean species have a broad thermal tolerance, allowing them to stand temperatures never experienced through their evolutionary history. These results stress the need of experimental approaches to assess the capability of poor dispersal species to cope with temperatures outside those they currently experience.
Soluble (pro)renin receptor via β-catenin enhances urine concentration capability as a target of liver X receptor
Authors: Lu Xiaohan , Wang Fei , Xu Chuanming , Soodvilai Sunny , Peng Kexin , Su Jiahui , Zhao Long , Yang Kevin T. , Feng Yumei , Zhou Shu-Feng , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Yang Tianxin 
Published: March 2016

Significance
The soluble (pro)renin receptor (sPRR) is produced by protease-mediated cleavage of PRR and is elevated under certain pathological conditions. To our knowledge, no prior studies have reported the biological function of sPRR in general or the antidiuretic function of the soluble protein in particular. Here we describe a previously unreported role of sPRR in the enhancement of renal aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expression and urine-concentrating capability. We further show that sPRR acts via frizzled class receptor 8-depdendent β-catenin signaling to increase AQP2 expression in the collecting duct cells. These findings offer an unreported insight into the physiological role of sPRR in regulating fluid homeostasis. In addition, we found that liver X receptor activation by TO901317 resulted in diabetes insipidus because of the inhibition of renal PRR expression.