bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Light-trapping and recycling for extraordinary power conversion in ultra-thin gallium-arsenide solar cells
Authors: Eyderman Sergey , John Sajeev 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe demonstrate nearly 30% power conversion efficiency in ultra-thin (~200 nm) gallium arsenide photonic crystal solar cells by numerical solution of the coupled electromagnetic Maxwell and semiconductor drift-diffusion equations. Our architecture enables wave-interference-induced solar light trapping in the wavelength range from 300–865 nm, leading to absorption of almost 90% of incoming sunlight. Our optimized design for 200 nm equivalent bulk thickness of GaAs, is a square-lattice, slanted conical-pore photonic crystal (lattice constant 550 nm, pore diameter 600 nm and pore depth 290 nm), passivated with AlGaAs, deposited on a silver back-reflector, with ITO upper contact and encapsulated with SiO2. Our model includes both radiative and non-radiative recombination of photo-generated charge carriers. When all light from radiative recombination is assumed to escape the structure, a maximum achievable photocurrent density (MAPD) of 27.6 mA/cm2 is obtained from normally incident AM 1.5 sunlight. For a surface non-radiative recombination velocity of 103 cm/s, this corresponds to a solar power conversion efficiency of 28.3%. When all light from radiative recombination is trapped and reabsorbed (complete photon recycling) the power conversion efficiency increases to 29%. If the surface recombination velocity is reduced to 10 cm/sec, photon recycling is much more effective and the power conversion efficiency reaches 30.6%.
Evaluation of right adrenal vein anatomy by Dyna computed tomography in patients with primary aldosteronism
Authors: Lee Bo-Ching , Chang Chin-Chen , Liu Kao-Lang , Chang Yeun-Chung , Wu Vin-Cent , Huang Kuo-How 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPrimary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension and consists up to 11% of patients with hypertension. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the recommended procedure for diagnosis of PA, but the technique is difficult and the right adrenal vein is especially hard to catheterize. We retrospectively examined the clinically relevant anatomy of the right adrenal vein in a sample of 66 PA patients with technically successful AVS and distinctly-opacified right adrenal veins in Dyna computed tomography (CT). In the majority of cases: the right adrenal veins were catheterized when the catheter tilted posterior and rightward (57/66, 86.4%), the transverse direction of the right adrenal vein from the inferior vena cava (IVC) was posterior and rightward (55/66, 83.3%) and the vertical direction of the right adrenal vein from the IVC was caudal (52/66, 78.8%). This study shows that Dyna CT is able to provide detailed anatomical information to the course and direction of the right adrenal vein.
Depth-specific optogenetic control in vivo with a scalable, high-density μLED neural probe
Authors: Scharf Robert , Tsunematsu Tomomi , McAlinden Niall , Dawson Martin D. , Sakata Shuzo , Mathieson Keith 
Published: June 2016

AbstractControlling neural circuits is a powerful approach to uncover a causal link between neural activity and behaviour. Optogenetics has been widely adopted by the neuroscience community as it offers cell-type-specific perturbation with millisecond precision. However, these studies require light delivery in complex patterns with cellular-scale resolution, while covering a large volume of tissue at depth in vivo. Here we describe a novel high-density silicon-based microscale light-emitting diode (μLED) array, consisting of up to ninety-six 25 μm-diameter μLEDs emitting at a wavelength of 450 nm with a peak irradiance of 400 mW/mm2. A width of 100 μm, tapering to a 1 μm point, and a 40 μm thickness help minimise tissue damage during insertion. Thermal properties permit a set of optogenetic operating regimes, with ~0.5 °C average temperature increase. We demonstrate depth-dependent activation of mouse neocortical neurons in vivo, offering an inexpensive novel tool for the precise manipulation of neural activity.
The space of enzyme regulation in HeLa cells can be inferred from its intracellular metabolome
Authors: Diener Christian , Muñoz-Gonzalez Felipe , Encarnación Sergio , Resendis-Antonio Osbaldo 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDuring the transition from a healthy state to a cancerous one, cells alter their metabolism to increase proliferation. The underlying metabolic alterations may be caused by a variety of different regulatory events on the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level whose identification contributes to the rational design of therapeutic targets. We present a mechanistic strategy capable of inferring enzymatic regulation from intracellular metabolome measurements that is independent of the actual mechanism of regulation. Here, enzyme activities are expressed by the space of all feasible kinetic constants (k-cone) such that the alteration between two phenotypes is given by their corresponding kinetic spaces. Deriving an expression for the transformation of the healthy to the cancer k-cone we identified putative regulated enzymes between the HeLa and HaCaT cell lines. We show that only a few enzymatic activities change between those two cell lines and that this regulation does not depend on gene transcription but is instead post-transcriptional. Here, we identify phosphofructokinase as the major driver of proliferation in HeLa cells and suggest an optional regulatory program, associated with oxidative stress, that affects the activity of the pentose phosphate pathway.
Trehalose, sucrose and raffinose are novel activators of autophagy in human keratinocytes through an mTOR-independent pathway
Authors: Chen Xu , Li Min , Li Li , Xu Song , Huang Dan , Ju Mei , Huang Ju , Chen Kun , Gu Heng 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTrehalose is a natural disaccharide that is found in a diverse range of organisms but not in mammals. Autophagy is a process which mediates the sequestration, lysosomal delivery and degradation of proteins and organelles. Studies have shown that trehalose exerts beneficial effects through inducing autophagy in mammalian cells. However, whether trehalose or other saccharides can activate autophagy in keratinocytes is unknown. Here, we found that trehalose treatment increased the LC3-I to LC3-II conversion, acridine orange-stained vacuoles and GFP-LC3B (LC3B protein tagged with green fluorescent protein) puncta in the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line, indicating autophagy induction. Trehalose-induced autophagy was also observed in primary keratinocytes and the A431 epidermal cancer cell line. mTOR signalling was not affected by trehalose treatment, suggesting that trehalose induced autophagy through an mTOR-independent pathway. mTOR-independent autophagy induction was also observed in HaCaT and HeLa cells treated with sucrose or raffinose but not in glucose, maltose or sorbitol treated HaCaT cells, indicating that autophagy induction was not a general property of saccharides. Finally, although trehalose treatment had an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, it had a cytoprotective effect on cells exposed to UVB radiation. Our study provides new insight into the saccharide-mediated regulation of autophagy in keratinocytes.
Biochemical basis of synergism between pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and insecticide chlorantraniliprole in Locusta migratoria (Meyen)
Authors: Jia Miao , Cao Guangchun , Li Yibo , Tu Xiongbing , Wang Guangjun , Nong Xiangqun , Whitman Douglas W. , Zhang Zehua 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe challenged Locusta migratoria (Meyen) grasshoppers with simultaneous doses of both the insecticide chlorantraniliprole and the fungal pathogen, Metarhizium anisopliae. Our results showed synergistic and antagonistic effects on host mortality and enzyme activities. To elucidate the biochemical mechanisms that underlie detoxification and pathogen-immune responses in insects, we monitored the activities of 10 enzymes. After administration of insecticide and fungus, activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), general esterases (ESTs) and phenol oxidase (PO) decreased in the insect during the initial time period, whereas those of aryl acylamidase (AA) and chitinase (CHI) increased during the initial period and that of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) increased during a later time period. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) decreased at a later time period post treatment. Interestingly, treatment with chlorantraniliprole and M. anisopliae relieved the convulsions that normally accompany M. anisopliae infection. We speculate that locust mortality increased as a result of synergism via a mechanism related to Ca2+ disruption in the host. Our study illuminates the biochemical mechanisms involved in insect immunity to xenobiotics and pathogens as well as the mechanisms by which these factors disrupt host homeostasis and induce death. We expect this knowledge to lead to more effective pest control.
Irradiation enhances susceptibility of tumor cells to the antitumor effects of TNF-α activated adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells in breast cancer model
Authors: Mohammadpour Hemn , Pourfathollah Ali Akbar , Nikougoftar Zarif Mahin , Shahbazfar Amir Ali 
Published: June 2016

AbstractGene modified or cytokine activated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used as a treatment in various types of cancer. Moreover, irradiation is usually applied as either a standard primary or adjuvant therapy. Here, we showed that the expression of TNF related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Dickouf-3 (Dkk-3), the promising anticancer proteins, increased in murine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) following activation with TNF-α, resulting in the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Also, anticancer effects of TNF-α activated AD-MSCs were intensified with irradiation. In vivo results showed that TNF-α preactivated AD-MSCs combined with irradiation decreased tumor size and increased survival rate in tumor bearing mice. On the other hands, both TNF-α preactivated AD-MSCs with or without irradiation prevented metastasis in ling and liver, and increased apoptosis in tumor mass. Finally, flowcytometry assay demonstrated that naïve AD-MSCs combined with irradiation but not TNF-α activated MSCs with irradiation increased Treg population in lymph node and spleen. Altogether, obtained results suggest that TNF-α activated MSCs combined with irradiation therapy can serve as new strategy in breast cancer therapy.
Aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition of gas sensitive SnO2 and Au-functionalised SnO2 nanorods via a non-catalysed vapour solid (VS) mechanism
Authors: Vallejos Stella , Selina Soultana , Annanouch Fatima Ezahra , Gràcia Isabel , Llobet Eduard , Blackman Chris 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTin oxide nanorods (NRs) are vapour synthesised at relatively lower temperatures than previously reported and without the need for substrate pre-treatment,viaa vapour-solid mechanism enabled using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition method. Results demonstrate that the growth of SnO2NRs is promoted by a compression of the nucleation rate parallel to the substrate and a decrease of the energy barrier for growth perpendicular to the substrate, which are controlled via the deposition conditions. This method provides both single-step formation of the SnO2NRs and their integration with silicon micromachined platforms, but also allows forin-situfunctionalization of the NRs with gold nanoparticlesviaco-deposition with a gold precursor. The functional properties are demonstrated for gas sensing, with microsensors using functionalised NRs demonstrating enhanced sensing properties towards H2compared to those based on non-functionalised NRs.
Spatially resolved photoresponse on individual ZnO nanorods: correlating morphology, defects and conductivity
Authors: Bandopadhyay K. , Mitra J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractElectrically active native point defects have a significant impact on the optical and electrical properties of ZnO nanostructures. Control of defect distribution and a detailed understanding of their physical properties are central to designing ZnO in novel functional forms and architecture, which ultimately decides device performance. Defect control is primarily achieved by either engineering nanostructure morphology by tailoring growth techniques or doping. Here, we report conducting atomic force microscopy studies of spatially resolved photoresponse properties on ZnO nanorod surfaces. The photoresponse for super-band gap, ultraviolet excitations show a direct correlation between surface morphology and photoactivity localization. Additionally, the system exhibits significant photoresponse with sub-bandgap, green illumination; the signature energy associated with the deep level oxygen vacancy states. While the local current-voltage characteristics provide evidence of multiple transport processes and quantifies the photoresponse, the local time-resolved photoresponse data evidences large variations in response times (90 ms–50 s), across the surface of a nanorod. The spatially varied photoconductance and the range in temporal response display a complex interplay of morphology, defects and connectivity that brings about the true colour of these ZnO nanostructures.
Responsiveness of soil nitrogen fractions and bacterial communities to afforestation in the Loess Hilly Region (LHR) of China
Authors: Ren Chengjie , Sun Pingsheng , Kang Di , Zhao Fazhu , Feng Yongzhong , Ren Guangxin , Han Xinhui , Yang Gaihe 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn the present paper, we investigated the effects of afforestation on nitrogen fractions and microbial communities. A total of 24 soil samples were collected from farmland (FL) and three afforested lands, namely Robinia pseudoacacia L (RP), Caragana korshinskii Kom (CK), and abandoned land (AL), which have been arable for the past 40 years. Quantitative PCR and Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes were used to analyze soil bacterial abundance, diversity, and composition. Additionally, soil nitrogen (N) stocks and fractions were estimated. The results showed that soil N stock, N fractions, and bacterial abundance and diversity increased following afforestation. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla of soil bacterial compositions. Overall, soil bacterial compositions generally changed from Actinobacteria (Acidobacteria)-dominant to Proteobacteria-dominant following afforestation. Soil N fractions, especially for dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), were significantly correlated with most bacterial groups and bacterial diversity, while potential competitive interactions between Proteobacteria (order Rhizobiales) and Cyanobacteria were suggested. In contrast, nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) influenced soil bacterial compositions less than other N fractions. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that bacterial diversity and specific species respond to farmland-to-forest conversion and hence have the potential to affect N dynamic processes in the Loess Plateau.
Concentrations of Radiocesium in Local Foods Collected in Kawauchi Village after the Accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station
Authors: Orita Makiko , Nakashima Kanami , Hayashida Naomi , Endo Yuuko , Yamashita Shunichi , Takamura Noboru 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe evaluated the current concentrations of radiocesium in local foods collected in Kawauchi Village, which is located less than 30 km from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, to minimize public anxiety regarding internal radiation exposure through the consumption of locally produced foods after the 2011 Fukushima accident. The number of samples exceeding the regulatory radiocesium limit (100 Bq/kg for general foods) was five out of 4,080 vegetables (0.1%), 652 of 1,986 (32.8%) among edible wild plants and fungi, and eight of 647 (1.2%) in fruits. Our study confirmed that the internal radiation doses of ingesting these foods are acceptably low compared to the public dose limit, ranging from 24.4 to 42.7 μSv for males and from 21.7 to 43.4 μSv for females, although the potential for radiation exposure still exists. Long-term comprehensive follow-up should take place to clarify trends in radiocesium concentrations in local foods and the committed effective doses found in Fukushima-area residents. By constructing a system that allows residents to access information on radiocesium concentration in foods, a risk communication model between specialists and residents could be developed in the recovery phase after the Fukushima accident.
From non-covalent binding to irreversible DNA lesions: nile blue and nile red as photosensitizing agents
Authors: Gattuso Hugo , Besancenot Vanessa , Grandemange Stéphanie , Marazzi Marco , Monari Antonio 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe report a molecular modeling study, coupled with spectroscopy experiments, on the behavior of two well known organic dyes, nile blue and nile red, when interacting with B-DNA. In particular, we evidence the presence of two competitive binding modes, for both drugs. However their subsequent photophysical behavior is different and only nile blue is able to induce DNA photosensitization via an electron transfer mechanism. Most notably, even in the case of nile blue, its sensitization capabilities strongly depend on the environment resulting in a single active binding mode: the minor groove. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirms the presence of competitive interaction modes for both sensitizers, while the sensitization via electron transfer, is possible only in the case of nile blue.
Highly Pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Nsp4 Cleaves VISA to Impair Antiviral Responses Mediated by RIG-I-like Receptors
Authors: Huang Chen , Du Yinping , Yu Zhibin , Zhang Qiong , Liu Yihao , Tang Jun , Shi Jishu , Feng Wen-hai 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most significant etiological agents in the swine industry worldwide. It has been reported that PRRSV infection can modulate host immune responses, and innate immune evasion is thought to play a vital role in PRRSV pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrated that highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) infection specifically down-regulated virus-induced signaling adaptor (VISA), a unique adaptor molecule that is essential for retinoic acid induced gene-I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) signal transduction. Moreover, we verified that nsp4 inhibited IRF3 activation induced by signaling molecules, including RIG-I, MDA5, VISA, and TBK1, but not IRF3. Subsequently, we demonstrated that HP-PRRSV nsp4 down-regulated VISA and suppressed type I IFN induction. Importantly, VISA was cleaved by nsp4 and released from mitochondrial membrane, which interrupted the downstream signaling of VISA. However, catalytically inactive mutant of nsp4 abolished its ability to cleave VISA. Interestingly, nsp4 of typical PRRSV strain CH-1a had no effect on VISA. Taken together, these findings reveal a strategy evolved by HP-PRRSV to counteract anti-viral innate immune signaling, which complements the known PRRSV-mediated immune-evasion mechanisms.
Effects of the linker region on the structure and function of modular GH5 cellulases
Authors: Ruiz Diego M. , Turowski Valeria R. , Murakami Mario T. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe association of glycosyl hydrolases with catalytically inactive modules is a successful evolutionary strategy that is commonly used by biomass-degrading microorganisms to digest plant cell walls. The presence of accessory domains in these enzymes is associated with properties such as higher catalytic efficiency, extension of the catalytic interface and targeting of the enzyme to the proper substrate. However, the importance of the linker region in the synergistic action of the catalytic and accessory domains remains poorly understood. Thus, this study examined how the inter-domain region affects the structure and function of modular GH5 endoglucanases, by using cellulase 5A from Bacillus subtilis (BsCel5A) as a model. BsCel5A variants featuring linkers with different stiffnesses or sizes were designed and extensively characterized, revealing that changes in flexibility or rigidity in this region differentially affect kinetic behavior. Regarding the linker length, we found that precise inter-domain spacing is required to enable efficient hydrolysis because excessively long or short linkers were equally detrimental to catalysis. Together, these findings identify molecular and structural features that may contribute to the rational design of chimeric and multimodular glycosyl hydrolases.
R-spondin 2 promotes acetylcholine receptor clustering at the neuromuscular junction via Lgr5
Authors: Nakashima Hiroaki , Ohkawara Bisei , Ishigaki Shinsuke , Fukudome Takayasu , Ito Kenyu , Tsushima Mikito , Konishi Hiroyuki , Okuno Tatsuya , Yoshimura Toshiro , Ito Mikako , Masuda Akio , Sobue Gen , Kiyama Hiroshi , Ishiguro Naoki , Ohno Kinji 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAt the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering is mediated by spinal motor neuron (SMN)-derived agrin and its receptors on the muscle, the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) and muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK). Additionally, AChR clustering is mediated by the components of the Wnt pathway. Laser capture microdissection of SMNs revealed that a secreted activator of Wnt signaling, R-spondin 2 (Rspo2), is highly expressed in SMNs. We found that Rspo2 is enriched at the NMJ and that Rspo2 induces MuSK phosphorylation and AChR clustering. Rspo2 requires Wnt ligands, but not agrin, for promoting AChR clustering in cultured myotubes. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5), an Rspo2 receptor, is also accumulated at the NMJ and is associated with MuSK via LRP4. Lgr5 is required for Rspo2-mediated AChR clustering in myotubes. In Rspo2-knockout mice, the number and density of AChRs at the NMJ are reduced. The Rspo2-knockout diaphragm has an altered ultrastructure with widened synaptic clefts and sparse synaptic vesicles. Frequency of miniature endplate currents is markedly reduced in Rspo2-knockout mice. To conclude, we demonstrate that Rspo2 and its receptor Lgr5 are Wnt-dependent and agrin-independent regulators of AChR clustering at the NMJ.
PEDLA: predicting enhancers with a deep learning-based algorithmic framework
Authors: Liu Feng , Li Hao , Ren Chao , Bo Xiaochen , Shu Wenjie 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTranscriptional enhancers are non-coding segments of DNA that play a central role in the spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression programs. However, systematically and precisely predicting enhancers remain a major challenge. Although existing methods have achieved some success in enhancer prediction, they still suffer from many issues. We developed a deep learning-based algorithmic framework named PEDLA (https://github.com/wenjiegroup/PEDLA), which can directly learn an enhancer predictor from massively heterogeneous data and generalize in ways that are mostly consistent across various cell types/tissues. We first trained PEDLA with 1,114-dimensional heterogeneous features in H1 cells, and demonstrated that PEDLA framework integrates diverse heterogeneous features and gives state-of-the-art performance relative to five existing methods for enhancer prediction. We further extended PEDLA to iteratively learn from 22 training cell types/tissues. Our results showed that PEDLA manifested superior performance consistency in both training and independent test sets. On average, PEDLA achieved 95.0% accuracy and a 96.8% geometric mean (GM) of sensitivity and specificity across 22 training cell types/tissues, as well as 95.7% accuracy and a 96.8% GM across 20 independent test cell types/tissues. Together, our work illustrates the power of harnessing state-of-the-art deep learning techniques to consistently identify regulatory elements at a genome-wide scale from massively heterogeneous data across diverse cell types/tissues.